Tuesday, August 26, 2025–8:20 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Floyd County Commission has approved a rezoning request for the existing fire and emergency services training facility at 3940 Morton Bend Road.
The action changes the zoning of the property from Agricultural Residential to Heavy Industrial.
The fire training facility existed on the property before adoption of the Unified Land Development Code,” said Rome-Floyd County Planning Director Brice Wood. “He is hoping to legitimize that, and continue to do it, possibly adding some additional services. Planning staff have some concerns because there is no other heavy industrial in this area. It is purely agricultural. However, this was legally constructed at the time. Multiple neighbors have expressed concerns, mostly about what could come at a later date if the Doyle family chose to vacate the property.”
Conditions on the rezoning include:
1) Excluded uses would be junkyards, inert or solid waste landfills, and distribution or manufacturing facilities.
2) The 200-foot undisturbed buffer of adjacent residentially zoned properties remains in effect to mitigate adverse effects on adjacent residential properties.
3) A 100-foot front setback be implemented, which is consistent with the front setback along major roads.
4) Dark-sky lighting be incorporated when night-time outdoor training exercises are not being conducted. Exterior illumination shall be shielded, downcast, and of luminosity designed to maintain the existing night sky darkness and to prevent light trespassing onto adjacent properties. In order to obtain this objective, the following criteria shall be met (a) all fixtures shall be full cut-off or reduced brightness type fixtures during times of inactivity (b) maximum foot candles at the property line shall be 0.5.
The commission also approved a special-use permit for a special events venue, including a 40’x60’ pavilion that would accommodate up to 150 guests, at 3360 Huffaker Road.
The approval comes with some conditions.
They include:
1) The events be limited to private events, including but not limited to private, invitation-only events, including weddings, birthdays, engagements, etc. while prohibiting public events, concerts, festivals, and other public events that require purchasing tickets, paying cover charges, etc.
2) The principal use of the property be residential, and the venue will be an accessory use.
3) The applicant maintains a natural buffer with tree canopy to shield surrounding properties.
4) The SUP will become void if no progress is made upon establishing the proposed use within 365 calendar days after issuance, or if the proposed use ceases to exist for more than 365 calendar days once established
Commissioners approved a rezoning for 1644 Wayside Road from Community Commercial to Agricultural Residential for the construction of a residence and to potentially acquire livestock.
They also approved a Special Use Permit for a manufactured home at 39 Lindsey Road, 3625 Martha Berry Highway, and 3669 Martha Berry Highway.
The commission also followed the recommendation from the planning commission to deny a Special Use Permit for a Luxury Glamping and Peaceful Wellness Retreat.
