McIntosh County holds public hearing on Hog Hammock zoning

by Steven Glover

DARIEN, Ga. (WTOC) - McIntosh County leaders heard public comment Tuesday night on proposed zoning rules for Hog Hammock, the historic Gullah Geechee community on Sapelo Island, as the county works toward new restrictions before a building moratorium expires next month.

Sapelo Island resident Josiah Watts told commissioners the process has moved quickly, with meetings held close together as the deadline approaches.

“The clock is ticking but it’s their clock. There’s not a lot of time… in between those things to really look at, review, and dig down deep into what’s in the ordinance — and that’s really unfortunate,” Watts said.

Tuesday’s public hearing comes in after county commissioners voted Friday to send a revised zoning ordinance to the zoning board for a public hearing.

Watts was one of several residents who spoke during the public hearing focused on the zoning board’s recommendation for dwelling size in Hog Hammock, one of the last intact Gullah Geechee communities on Georgia’s coast. Some residents also raised concerns about home height limits and whether the county’s rules could be worked around.

McIntosh County Chairwoman Kate Karwacki said the latest draft includes a height limit of 32 feet, noting the county has reduced allowable height in recent years.

“So the current draft is calling for 32 feet. The original code that was done in 2023 made a reduction from what was 47 feet to 45 feet — then again from 45 feet to 35 feet. So it’s just been a considerable drop,” Karwacki said.

Watts said residents are not opposed to all development, but want any changes to protect the community’s historic character.

“Making sure that historic preservation is a lead part of all of this, right. I want a county that will come to a point where they are working with us and supporting us — because when our community benefits, everybody does,” Watts said.

Karwacki said the next version of the housing size proposal will go back before planning and zoning for review, with a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 4, before commissioners take a final vote.