HCC votes to increase minimum lot sizes

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners voted 3-2 Thursday night to increase minimum residential lot sizes to eight-tenths of an acre.

Most people in the audience that filled the meeting room at the Georgia Mountains Center indicated they wanted to wait until the new comprehensive plan is finished, but the measure was not without support.

"I plead with you to ahead with this or do a moratorium," South Hall resident Linda Morris said.

Morris said South Hall was overrun with development and was no longer the beautiful place she found when she moved there 14 years ago.

Gainesville attorney Wyc Orr handed commission members a copy of a notice of legal objection he had filed against the lot size change amendments.

Developer Broughton Cochran told commissioners increasing lot sizes would not slow growth but would instead change the complexion of development.

"I see it as a tool that will enable classic sprawl,a thing we say we don't want," Cochran said.

Commissioner Debra Lynn's motion called for the lot size change to be temporary until the commission recieves the new land use plan.

"I don't want to stop growth but I want to keep it within its channels so it does not overflow its boundries," Lyn said.

Commissioner Steve Gailey said the action will adversely impact his district. "This will destroy property values in my district."

Gailey and Deborah Mack voted against the motion. Chairman Gary Gibbs and Vice Chairman Roger Cole voted "yes" with Deborah Lynn.

COOL SPRINGS APPROVAL

Much to their own astonishment Hall County Commissioners unanimously approved changes to a massive Planned Residential Development that five years ago drew heavy opposition tonight (Thursday night.)

Cool Springs, LLC will develop a three hundred and 93 lot subdivision on three hundred and 89 acres with a wastewater treatment plant and asked the Commission to rezone four acres and allow the treatment plant on Cool Springs Road.

County Commission Chairman Gary Gibbs recalled that he was one of the opponents who crowded the mountain center to oppose the initial Cool Springs application.

He said new leadership and communication with property holders led to the Commission's approval.