County sees slight increase in rezones and variances

In the first nine months of 2008, the department handled 47 rezones and 22 variances.

In all of 2007, the department handled a total of 54 rezones and 20 variance requests.

There are currently eight additional cases pending review for the November meeting of the planning commission. There are two more application deadlines remaining for 2008 which could result in several additional variance and rezone requests.

Though activity has increased slightly from last year, the commission had just two cases on the agenda at their October 16 meeting. In those cases, the commission:

• approved a request to rezone 2.59 acres at 875 Than Skinner Road from AR to R1.

• approved a rezone and special use permit application for 1.74 acres at 590 Hwy. 82. The property is being rezoned from AG to R1 for use as a taxidermist business.

The rezone requests will go before the Barrow County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, November 25 at 7 p.m. The board meets at the Barrow County administration building located at 233 East Broad Street in Winder.