Opponents of the 60-house commercial poultry operation that a judge recently halted just off Highway 441 South addressed the county commission at Monday morning’s regular commission meeting asking commissioners to issue a 90-day moratorium on any new chicken house construction slated for Coffee County.
Rod Freeman, who lives near the site of the proposed poultry farm, delivered remarks on behalf of those who opposed the operation. Freeman stated that during the effort to stop the Coffee County operation, he and his allies had heard from zoning boards and county commissions across the state as well as organizations that are associated with the poultry industry. “One of the most important factors in zoning is scale. Scale determines property values, taxes, the need for infrastructure, and the pull on resources. It matters in emergency responses, on environmental impacts, and funding. Scale matters. Our rural farmland should not be used for industrial uses, regardless of the category it’s labeled under,” he said.
Freeman stated that he would like to see Coffee County adopt ordinances that regulate poultry production in such a way as to protect both the farmer and surrounding landowners. “We believe there is a balance where the poultry industry can thrive but not at the expense of neighbors and our precious natural resources. Population growth and the loss of land for agricultural purposes in Georgia have emphasized the need for carefully designed zoning ordinances to protect farmers as well as providing a blueprint for the long-term growth and viability of our communities,” he said.
The best way to accommodate the interests of farmers and citizens alike, he said, is for the county to issue a 90 day moratorium on any new chicken house construction so the county can take a look at an ordinance or ordinances that would prevent a commercial poultry operation from locating in Coffee County. The request was for new construction and would not prevent farmers who have already been granted building permits or farmers who are rebuilding chicken houses that Hurricane Helene destroyed. “We hope this board will enact a temporary moratorium for 90 days to hear from their constituents and experts to provide zoning ordinances that keep our county moving forward. Just a few pages of revised ordinances would keep your constituents from spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to avoid what these few pages could do,” he said.
Freeman’s remarks were the last item on the commission’s agenda. After he finished, the commission thanked him and then adjourned the meeting.
Prior to Freeman’s address, the county covered several other items of business, one of which was a proposed asphalt plant for western Coffee County that the commission had denied in August of last year. Commissioners heard the first reading of a rezoning request from CT Realty Investment group for 50 acres located at 450 Chaney Road from AG, Agriculture to W-HI, Warehouse Heavy Industrial.
The original request was to rezone 142.1 acres. However, several residents who live near the tract in question objected to the request. The commission ultimately voted to deny the request.
Monday morning, CT Realty Investment Group brought a similar request to the commission. This time, though, it was for 50 acres. Matt Seale, CEO of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority, spoke at the meeting on behalf of CT Realty. He stated that the issues neighbors had with the original request have been resolved, including concerns regarding water usage, visibility, train cars blocking Chaney Road, and the asphalt plant’s proximity to Premium Peanut. “The economic impact is what we want to continue seeing. This is a $15 million projected investment. And after two years, we’re looking at 40-plus jobs right here in Coffee County. I understand that today is not a vote but I still wanted to come and talk about it and make sure it was very clear that changes had been made between the application that was rejected last year and the application that’s being put before you this year,” he said.
None of the commissioners had any questions or comments about the request. They will hold the second reading at the December meeting and vote on the request.
Commissioners also approved the following agenda items:
- The ratification of the Retired Educators Day proclamation;
- The 2026 Indigent Defense Services agreement;
- Awarding the annual resurfacing/paving projects to East Coast Asphalt (the commission had tabled this item last month);
- A change order for the soccer field project that includes more work on the concession stand, parking lot, and the like; and
- A re-zoning request from Carlton Dorminey for 10 acres at 3662 Highway 32 West from R1, Residential to C, Commercial.
The commission also heard the first readings of the following re-zoning requests (in addition to the asphalt plant request):
- Jeremy Dorminey – 14.29 acres at 271 Thompson Drive from AG, Agriculture to C, Commercial;
- Charles Griffis – 1.82 acres at 1187 Squire Road in Ambrose from AG, Agriculture to C, Commercial; and
- Bobby Guthrie – 5.05 acres at 361 Quincey Batten Loop from R2, Residential to AG, Agriculture.
Commissioners also heard the first reading of the following subdivision applications:
- Thomas E. Butts – 7 acres at 435 Deer Run Road in Nicholls; and
- Memphis Enterprises LLC – 25 acres at Timberwolf Trail (14 lots on the tract with two roads).