Planning Commission talks UDC modifications, conditional use permits at Tuesday meeting

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission discussed modifications to the Unified Development Code with regard to specialized pharmacies and lighting and several requests for conditional use permits (CUP) at Tuesday’s work session.

Work sessions give commissioners a change to consider agenda items before they hold a regular meeting and make a decision on whether or not to recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners.

Typically pharmacies design medical compounds other than medical marijuana.  A pharmacy that wants to become a specialty pharmacy would have to obtain a state license and a Forsyth County CUP  before it could dispense medical marijuana.

There was also some consideration given to potential changes to the UDC as it relates to lighting pollution, trespass and glare.

Fill Ministries, Inc. request to build a 5,407 square foot chapel with ancillary uses, fellowship meeting hall, offices, a minister’s residence and food pantry plus a 29,991 square storage facility with 104 parking spaces on 3.03 acres in District 5 on Bennett Road sparked a lengthy discussion.

District 5 Commissioner Nedal Shawkat said, “This is a charity or non-profit that would like to not only grow aquaponic produce in greenhouses and have it distributed. They would also like to have a facility on this parcel to allow the warehousing, processing, packaging and distribution of products not produced on the premises.

“This is not an appropriate location for a commercial enterprise. It would be a welcome addition to the county in another location but intensity of use created by bringing in goods and produce from another location makes it unacceptable at this location.”

Shawkat noted that county staff is non-supportive.

Stacy Guy questioned, “When do you get to come in as a place of worship?” This feels like a faith-based non-profit. It doesn’t feel like I’m going to a place of worship.”

The commission will continue a discussion of the issue at the next meeting on Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m.