SUMMERVILLE, Ga.— Chattooga County residents will have another opportunity Wednesday to weigh in on a proposed temporary moratorium covering certain nontraditional residential and mixed-use developments.

The proposal could affect cargo-container homes and structures, tiny-home developments, and multi-service community developments. It could also include similar projects identified during the county’s review.

The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern, or 5 p.m. Central, Wednesday, July 29. It will be held at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

The meeting follows an initial public session held July 10 at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office. County officials say the second meeting will allow further discussion before any action is taken.

County Reviewing Existing Development Rules

According to an official public notice, the temporary moratorium would give Chattooga County time to review its existing land-use regulations.

The county plans to examine the potential effects of emerging development types. Officials will then determine whether existing ordinances need to be amended.

The review will focus on public health, safety, community welfare, and orderly growth.

The county has not announced the proposed moratorium’s duration or final scope. No final action has been announced.

Public comments will be considered before Sole Commissioner Andy Allen makes a decision.

Unlike most counties, Chattooga County operates under a sole-commissioner form of government. The county describes the sole commissioner as its chief legislative and executive government officer.

Allen began serving as sole commissioner in January 2025.

Safety and Infrastructure Concerns Discussed

AM 1180 Radio reported that Allen discussed several concerns during the first public meeting.

Those concerns included cargo trailers converted into full-time residences without clear structural standards. Questions also involved electrical and plumbing systems, septic and water connections, and access for fire and emergency medical vehicles.

Allen reportedly said the proposal is not intended to discourage affordable housing. He also said it is not designed to target individual tiny homes or manufactured homes.

Instead, the county is considering standards for larger developments and other projects that could create new demands on local infrastructure and emergency services.

Residents at the first meeting also raised concerns about the need for affordable housing. Some said traditional housing costs have placed homeownership beyond the reach of many families.

The discussion places two public concerns at the center of the review. Residents are seeking more affordable housing options, while county officials are evaluating whether roads, utilities, and emergency services can support those developments safely.

Projects Included in the Proposal

The county’s official notice identifies several types of development that could fall under the proposed moratorium:

• Cargo-container homes and structures
• Tiny-home developments
• Multi-service community developments
• Similar nontraditional residential or mixed-use projects

Local reports indicate the review could also involve certain mobile-home parks, cargo-trailer residences, and some rehabilitation-center developments.

Those additional categories have not been fully defined in the county’s current public notice. The final scope would depend on the language adopted following the review.

Public Participation Encouraged

County officials are encouraging residents, property owners, developers, and other interested parties to attend Wednesday’s meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Eastern at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center. Officials said it will continue as long as needed.

The county will also provide remote access through Zoom. The meeting identification number is 884 5486 5847, and the passcode is “ChattMeet.”

The meeting comes as local governments across the region consider how emerging housing models fit within existing development rules. In Chattooga County, the immediate question is whether officials should temporarily pause certain projects while they establish clearer standards.

Any final decision will follow the public discussion and the county’s review of its current ordinances.