22-05-2025
Locals push back against rezoning and development in rural Bulloch
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) – With dozens of acres of land in Bulloch County at risk of being rezoned to build single family homes, the county's Planning and Zoning Commission made a major decision Tuesday.
The Bulloch County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend to the county's Board of Commissioners that they vote no to rezone 60 acres of land on the Highway 119 Connector in Brooklet.
The land is currently zoned as AG-5, meaning at most, a developer could put one house per every five acres.
Under the new permitting that the owner is applying for, one house per every acre would be allowed.
'Just in my front yard, to my side, it'll be eight houses. Along my friends and community, they'll be another 51 houses back there. So, we're just trying to protect what we have,' Clint Proudfoot who lives next to the proposed development said.
At the meeting, Proudfoot said he spoke for not just himself but all his neighbors as well.
WSAV took a tour of the land in question with Proudfoot and his neighbor to learn more about the close-knit group.
'We would've all went in together, even if we didn't have the money. We would've bought this land so it wouldn't be developed,' he said. 'We're trying to stop it. That's why we all moved here, to get away from the Bloomingdale growth, and the Pooler and the Savannah so to speak.'
However, those at the meeting said maintaining their rural community wasn't the only reason they opposed the rezoning.
'Anybody who travels that area knows there's an accident it seems like once a week there,' Proudfoot said. 'Adding a potential 174 vehicles coming out right there on that curve.'
Families were also concerned with their children's education.
'The school system at Stilson is already at max capacity. So, if these houses are like starter family homes, which is what they're proposing, it means they'll be kids who have to go to Stilson elementary,' Proudfoot said.
Although the Planning and Zoning committee voted not to recommend the rezoning be approved, the board of commissioners can still vote yes.
They'll make that decision at a meeting on June 3 at 115 N Main St. in Statesboro.
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