The Cartersville Planning Commission approved recommendations to annex and rezone 19 acres of land that was once a part of Chemical Products Corp. on Highway 293 during its meeting Tuesday night. The issue will now go to the Cartersville City Council for a first on Dec. 18 and a second final reading Jan. 6.
Property-buyer Howard Smith spoke in favor of the proposal in the two public hearings held during the commission meeting. His request raised questions and one neighbor to the property opposing it. Smith wanted the annexation and rezoning to turn the land into a tractor storage yard. It would accommodate around 150 tractors but Smith said it’s unlikely it would ever be full.
Part of the land sits in the county now, so he wants it fully annexed into the city. It is currently zoned industrial and he is asking it be rezoned into light industrial. Light industrial carries tighter regulations on uses, according to officials.
Billy Wright, who owns the Old Mill Farm passed down from his great grandparents, objected to the proposal because he believes this type of business with tractors routinely moving in and out will hurt the 30 horses on his land. He said has plans and investments ready to make the farm into a large equestrian center and the annexation and rezoning would damage those plans.
“I always wanted for this farm to be here forever,” wright said. “It’s a piece of heaven.”
Smith said his business won’t have a great impact on the area because it produces little noise and has minimal activity.
“I don’t feel like I’m asking for anything not already accounted for in the zoning ordinances,” Smith said,
No other major business was conducted. The commission heard the results of the city council vote on the Switch annexation and approved minutes. The chair and vice chair were not there and John Clayton was approved to facilitate the meeting.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.