Habersham County to hold town hall on changes to development codes

By: Brian Wellmeier

Habersham officials will open the floor to the public later this month as they consider sweeping changes to the codes that guide growth and development within the county.

A community town hall, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 13 at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center, will again allow residents a chance to weigh in on proposed updates to Habersham County’s Unified Development Code (UDC) – a set of rules that governs where and how homes, businesses and infrastructure are built.

Public input sought amid growing debate

Officials say the meeting is designed as an open forum where residents can ask questions, voice concerns and better understand the proposed revisions. Public interest in the changes has grown in recent weeks, with some community members already speaking out.

At a March public hearing, several residents opposed aspects of the proposal and raised concerns about minimum acreage requirements, lot sizes and the potential impact on housing affordability.

What the changes would do

County leaders describe the UDC overhaul as a long-term planning tool aimed at managing rapid growth, protecting property values and preserving the county’s rural identity.

Key proposals include:

• Minimum Home Size: New subdivisions would require homes to have at least 1,500 square feet of heated living space.

• Zoning Changes: Residential uses would be removed from general industrial districts to avoid conflicts between housing and industry.

• Rural Design Standards: Curb and gutter requirements would be eliminated in rural, agricultural and conservation areas unless developers use cluster-style layouts with smaller lots.

• Traffic Studies: Only developments expected to generate more than 50 peak-hour trips per day – typically around 50 homes – would be required to conduct traffic studies. Officials say this could reduce costs for smaller projects.

• Data Center Regulations: New standards would require closed-loop cooling systems, setbacks from nearby homes and sound barriers.

  
  

Broader overhaul of development rules

The proposed ordinance represents a significant restructuring of the county’s development framework.

• It would establish eight zoning districts with minimum lot sizes ranging from one to five acres.

• It defines a major subdivision as four or more lots.

• Approval authority for subdivisions would shift from the Planning Commission to county staff.

• Development regulations currently spread across county code would be consolidated into a single document.

• The use of cluster developments would be expanded to preserve open space while allowing residential growth.

  
  

What happens next

County commissioners are expected to consider the updated ordinance in June, following public input from the April town hall.

Officials say feedback from residents will play a key role in shaping the final version of the UDC as Habersham County prepares for continued growth.