Habersham County Commissioners this week passed a set of new zoning rules for future businesses that want to develop the land alongside highways 365 and 441.
The new “Corridor Overlay District” stretches the length of the county along the four-lane from Hall County and follows GA 365 to Stephens County while continuing along US 441 to Rabun County. Land within 2600 feet of the road is included under the new rules.
County Planning Director Tom Braswell says the change in law will help Habersham County attract and manage new development along the road. “It says (to businesses) come here, we want you here. We will help you locate here. We will help you plan your development and work hand-in-hand with you to make sure you get in here quickly and as inexpensively as possible.”
The new rules determine how new buildings will look, what types of materials can be used in construction and what types of landscaping will be used to screen development from the road. It also requires businesses to maintain the approved appearance of the property forever.
The Overlay District comes with a new review process for future development. All county departments – planning, public works, fire, environmental health, state EPD and fire marshal – will work together on a review panel for each proposal. Braswell says this will streamline the bureaucracy developers currently face on each project. “It is as friendly as possible for businesses that want to locate here but as protective as possible for the county’s interests,” Braswell says.
In addition to getting better looking developments along the main highway, the changes mean the government now has a specific area in which to focus future infrastructure like water and sewer. The plan also addresses traffic concerns by discouraging driveways that empty out on the main highway. Businesses would need to place entrances on existing back roads. “This would stream traffic to our main and safer intersections,” Braswell explains, “while avoiding those intersections that have dangerous histories.”
The rules do not change anything for current property owners within the corridor. The new rules kick in when the land is sold or when a development plan is proposed.
