Effingham County Planning Board Meeting July 14th, 2026

The Effingham County Planning Board held a meeting on July 14, 2026, primarily focused on two public hearings regarding rezoning requests. The first hearing involved a request to rezone approximately 3.36 acres from AR-1 (agricultural residential) to B-3 (commercial) to allow for storage and a small office building along US Highway 80. The board approved this rezoning after discussion of site development details including buffers, fencing, and access improvements. The second hearing addressed a request to rezone about 136 acres from AR-1 to R-5 (single-family residential) for a proposed subdivision of approximately 303 homes on McCall Road. The proposal included significant open space, buffering, and infrastructure plans. However, substantial public opposition was voiced concerning traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, environmental impacts, and neighborhood character. After deliberation, the board voted to deny the rezoning request, citing timing and community concerns. No direct contract awards or procurement actions were discussed, but infrastructure improvements related to the developments were noted as ongoing county efforts.