Housing pause extended in Habersham as officials finalize new growth rules

By: Brian Wellmeier

A temporary halt on residential development in Habersham County will remain in place through June following action by county leaders this week.

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners voted Monday, March 16, to extend its moratorium on large-scale housing development in unincorporated areas. The pause, first enacted to give officials time to complete a comprehensive overhaul of the county’s development regulations, will stay in effect as work on the new unified development code (UDC) nears completion.

Planning and Zoning Director Mike Beecham told commissioners the updated draft is almost finished. “As you know, we’re nearing the finish line on that,” he said. “So, we’re requesting to extend the moratorium.”

The UDC — a sweeping rewrite aimed at modernizing land-use rules and shaping future growth — is expected to be adopted in June, after a successor is elected to fill the seat of former commissioner Jimmy Tench, who stepped down earlier this year for medical reasons.

The unanimously approved extension prevents the county from accepting rezoning applications for residential developments involving more than five lots.

Not all residents support the continued pause. During Monday’s meeting, Henry Lovell voiced frustration, saying an existing property contract of his has been impacted.

“They keep extending the moratorium…it doesn’t take forever if somebody would make their mind up on something,” he said. “It’s just ridiculous.”

Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness acknowledged the concern and directed staff to follow up. “That’s not what we intended to do,” he said of the delay. “...we just want (time) to make sure everybody is aware of what’s happening and what’s coming.”

County officials have previously emphasized the importance of the UDC overhaul as growth pressures increase. In February, County Manager Tim Sims described the effort as critical to managing that expansion.

“We’re going from four zoning codes to 8–10,” Sims said. “It’s more to manage the growth that’s coming. We hope to control it…it’s going to be a lot stricter guidelines (developers) have to go through.”