The Dalton City Council voted 3-0 on Wednesday to approve an amendment to the Dalton-Varnell-Whitfield County unified zoning ordinance that limits commercial poultry and swine operations in the cities of Dalton and Varnell.
Council member Tyree Goodlett was absent, and Mayor Annalee Harlan Sams typically votes only if there is a tie.
Members of the Dalton-Varnell-Whitfield County Planning Commission unanimously recommended adopting the amendment at their December meeting. It has been approved by the Varnell City Council and the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners.
The amendment does not ban commercial poultry and swine operations in those cities, but it does add another level of scrutiny.
The amendment says commercial poultry and swine farming shall be allowed within the city limits of Dalton and Varnell if the city councils there grant a special use permit. It requires a minimum of 10 acres for such an operation.
The amendment also says “increased building setbacks, buffers and other restrictions may result from the special use review. Existing conforming commercial poultry farming buildings may be replaced without the special use review as long as the replacement buildings follow all applicable building, fire and municipal codes as required.”
The council members also held an executive session closed to to the public and the media to discuss potential litigation.