County Now Says Re-zoning Request Not Needed for Freeman Creek Proposal

Stephens County officials are now stating that a proposal from a property owner on Freeman Creek Road to place four broiler houses on his property will not require action by the Planning Commission or County Commissioners.

According to the county office, after further review of the Land Use Ordinance by county staff and by County Attorney Brian Ranck, it has been determined that the proposal does in fact fall within the permitted uses for a parcel zoned as Agricultural Residential.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said the owner is proposing to tear down four existing, but apparently unused, broiler houses on the property and build four new ones in their place.

The land in question is at 140 Freeman Creek Road and the owner had initially applied for a re-zoning and variance request for the broiler houses.

However, those are now not needed, according to county officials.

Some area citizens had expressed concerns about the proposal, saying that the change is to make it a “potential mega poultry farm,” and also expressing concerns about the odor.