Private access drives in Oglethorpe County must be paved.
That’s what the zoning board decided once again when it denied a variance during its monthly meeting on Sept. 17.
This was the third variance request regarding unpaved private access drives the board has seen in 2026. It has denied all of them.
Jeff Sharp, the director of planning, zoning and compliance, said public safety is one factor for upholding the ordinance.
“If nobody maintains them, emergency services can’t get there,” he said.
Brad Johns, a resident on Almond Drive in Comer, requested the variance to the second tract of a subdivided 28.36-acre parcel, where the first tract has road frontage on Almond Drive and the second does not.
The board unanimously denied Johns’ request.
Sharp explained to receive a variance, there needs to be external factors that would make it harder to pave the road.
“If you read the requirements of the variances, (it’s about) topography or something you didn’t create,” Sharp said. “He’s creating this necessity.”
Johns’ request will go to the board of commissioners meeting on Oct. 5 with the recommendation to deny.
“If the commissioners want to override (the ordinance) that’s fine,” said JF Hansford, a member of the zoning board. “But I think I have to make a motion to deny.”
No residents attended the meeting.
The Oglethorpe County Zoning Board will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at 105 Union Point Road.
By: Ren Grimsley