County approves rezoning in Elko amid citizen pushback, honors former Perry councilmember

PERRY — In a rather lengthy meeting on Tuesday, the Houston County Commissioners made a big decision regarding a potential residential subdivision on Elko Road.  

The applicant spoke in favor of rezoning 300 acres from agricultural use to residential use. Owner Jeff Liszewski, representing SKI Development, claimed denying rezoning would not prevent a subdivision from being built. He said he received a letter from the county stating that water would be available for up to 50 homes a year, and a letter from Flint Energies stating that power would be available as well. 

“My request may not be popular with the local population, however, it does meet every state law and county ordinance requirement for the R-1 zoning,” he said. 

Liszewski also owns Custom Homes by Jeff and shared that he plans to build all of these homes. 

“If you take time to research my company, you’ll find out that I have a great reputation and I build quality homes,” he said. “Every home I plan on building in the subdivision will likely be over half a million dollars.” 

Liszewski referenced his current development for the Saddle Creek Farms subdivision and encouraged taking a look at what they are doing. 

“Right now, you have a local builder who builds high-end quality homes and [has] a great reputation. Ask yourself: what do you want to see built there? A local guy who builds nice homes or a national builder coming and building homes as cheap as they can produce them?” he said. 

Liszewski also added that this subdivision will likely be a 12- to 15-year project before it is fully built out. 

An Elko citizen spoke in opposition to the request, saying they moved there not for “subdivision-style living” but for privacy and natural beauty. She said they are not opposed to growth, but it must be responsible. 

“Regardless of the outcome of this request, any development of this property should be guided by clear, enforceable zoning conditions to ensure compatibility with that rural character and density setting,” she said. “R-AG supports agriculture use and very low density residential patterns. This is not just a zoning change it is a shift in how this area develops. The decision you make today will set a precedent for other similar properties along this corridor.” 

The citizen claimed that every corridor in Elko is defined by larger lots, more open spaces and has a clear rural development pattern. She said this request does not align with that framework. 

“This zoning request is different as it is tied to a subdivision style development and R-1 zoning allows that density, which is the concern,” she said. “This proposal is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and represents a shift in the established development pattern of the area.” 

Commissioner Tal Talton said he understands the importance of agriculture as a fifth-generation farmer. He said it is scary to think that this country has the direction of being the richest country in the world, but starving to death. 

“I’ve heard the rural character of Elko mentioned several times, and that’s perception to the individual in my opinion,” he said. “From the lens of a farmer, all that changed when irrigation systems were taken down and there were houses being planted in fields instead of crops.” 

Talton said farmers settle into known developments, and those farmers can retire, pay off their debt or sell their land and move to a neighboring county. 

He shared that he respects the applicant being a local builder and believes R-1 would be best to represent Elko. 

“R-1 has way more restrictive covenants, and I think it will continue the aesthetics of Elko,” he said. 

Commissioner Gail Robinson made the motion to approve the rezoning on Elko Road. Commissioner Shane Gottwals voted against the request. 

“People are moving to south Houston County which means people are moving to live down there,” Robinson said. “It’s becoming more residential, and the farmers can’t make a profit as the land is not suited when the price goes up for farming because people want to live there.” 

Robinson shared that, under the county ordinances, R-AG means the minimum lot size is one acre and that the county cannot create five- to ten-acre lots under R-AG zoning. 

“We don’t have the power, the ordinance, which would have to be changed by law, says your minimum acreage for R-AG is one acre,” she said. “There’s 100,000 acres down there, and preserving rural agriculture in south Houston County is a much bigger picture than a developer wanting to do a restrictive R-1 subdivision right next to Elko on a major corridor going from north, south Houston County.” 

Commissioners also honored the service of Phyllis Bynum Grace for her 27 years serving on the Perry City Council. 

Chairman Dan Perdue said she is known for having that desire to serve and help people. Perry Mayor Randall Walker said he and Bynum-Grace worked together for 17 years.  

“She may have been selected or voted on in one district, but her heart was serving the entire City of Perry,” he said. “Whatever was going on Mrs. Bynum Grace was involved in making sure we were successful as a city.”

Bynum-Grace felt very honored to receive such recognition. She said she is “Perry proud” and will continue to do anything she can for the city. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21, at 5 p.m., located at the Houston County Annex on Carl Vinson Parkway. The full agenda of this meeting can be found at www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2026-04-07%20Department%20Head%20Copy.pdf