CLARKESVILLE — Habersham County residents will get another chance tonight to weigh in on proposed updates to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance, as commissioners continue shaping a sweeping rewrite of development rules that has drawn strong public interest and a packed turnout at the first meeting.
The second town hall is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road in Clarkesville.
County officials say the session is part of an ongoing public engagement process for the Unified Development Ordinance, commonly known as the UDO, which serves as the county’s primary regulatory framework for land use, zoning standards, subdivision design, and broader growth management.
The update process has become one of the most closely watched local policy efforts in recent months, as Habersham County continues to balance rapid growth pressures with rural character, infrastructure capacity, and long-term planning goals.
At the first town hall, residents packed the aquatic center and spent much of the evening questioning commissioners and staff about the potential impacts of proposed changes. Much of the feedback focused on concerns commonly raised in fast-growing counties, including housing density, zoning flexibility, property rights, and how new development could affect roads, utilities, and community character.
Commissioners and planning staff have said the draft ordinance remains a work in progress and has already been adjusted in response to public feedback. Officials have also emphasized that no final vote will be taken until additional rounds of community input are completed.
The county has made the draft UDO and related materials available for public review through its website at https://www.habershamga.com/udo-update.cfm.
Tonight’s meeting is expected to follow a similar format, with county staff providing updates on the latest revisions and residents again given an opportunity to ask questions and offer comments directly to decision-makers.
Officials have encouraged both first-time attendees and those who participated in the earlier meeting to return as the county continues refining what could be one of its most significant land-use overhauls in years.
Habersham County will host an open house for residents to come view the proposed changes on Thursday, June 11, at the county administration building in Clarkesville. The hours are 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.
