Forsyth County Puts Ban On New Zoning

CUMMING, GA -- Forsyth County commissioners voted Thursday to put a ban on new zoning requests, so an understaffed office could catch up on a backlog of work.

Commissioners voted unanimously to not accept any new zoning requests until at least April 7, when a public hearing on the matter will be held, according to minutes of the meeting.

The moratorium will not impact zoning actions that are already underway, commissioners said.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard added the item to the commission's agenda.

The Forsyth County News reports that Jarrard said an employee shortage at the county's department of planning and community development has caused a backlog of work on existing zoning requests.

“The office is down multiple senior planners, multiple staff as well and, candidly, it has affected their ability to be able to provide the planning [board], the [commission]and the community the level of work and the detail of work that they feel like they needed to provide,” Jarrard said, according to the paper.

Jarrard told commissioners that no public hearing was needed for a short-term moratorium on new zoning but that it would have to be discussed and approved at a hearing on April 7 if they decide to extend the moratorium further.