The Habersham County Planning Commission met Tuesday, May 6, to hear public input and discuss several key development proposals, including a conditional use request for a Christian retreat, a zoning change, and a new residential subdivision.
James W. Draper, Jr. had applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CU-25-01) to establish a Christian retreat at 735 Kennedy Mountain Road. The plan includes the construction of up to 17 cabins on the rural property.
According to Planning and Development Director Mike Beecham, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of Draper’s conditional use permit for the Christian Retreat. Beecham said that the commission did not state a reason for the denial. However, he did say that several people attended the meeting Tuesday to voice their opposition to the project.
The next step for the development to proceed is with the Habersham County Board of Commissioners. They could potentially approve the conditional use permit that Draper has requested but commissioners typically follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
The soonest the application for the conditional use permit could be heard by the county commission is Monday, May 19.
Other requests
In another matter, Greg and Paula Bagley are seeking to rezone their property at 1191 Blair Road from Agriculture (Ag) to Low Intensity (LI) use.
Under old business, the commission will revisit a request by Greg Hill for preliminary plat approval of “The Grove,” a proposed 10-lot subdivision. The development is planned for 1195 J. Warren Road (Map 086 Parcel 001). The proposal has previously been discussed and was brought back for further review.
Now Habersham has reached out to Beecham for further updates on these requests. He has not responded as of this update.
