Earlier this week Andy Allan, Republican challenger for Chattooga County Commissioner, issued a press release regarding the county’s land use ordinance.  Allan said that he wanted to make it clear that while he was opposed to Commissioner Blake Elsberry’s initial Land Use Ordinance, adopted in 2022 and that he didn’t agree with the commissioner’s new Subdivision Ordinance, he did in fact support the idea of the county having legislation in place that would regulate commercial subdivision developments.  Commissioner Elsberry maintains that his most recent legislation is just that, a subdivision ordinance.  Elsberry sent the following statement to WZQZ on Tuesday:

I would like to clarify that Chattooga County does not have a Land Development Ordinance. Chattooga County has a Subdivision Ordinance.

I find it curious that for the past two years Mr. Allen has been opposed to any type of ordinance and has continually said it gives the local government too much authority, and now in a complete reversal he believes we should have an ordinance and he apparently would give all the authority to himself should he be elected. 

I am glad to hear he finally realizes that we do need something in place to ensure subdivisions and commercial developments are done correctly and with minimal impact to the community and surrounding infrastructure.

 Where we differ in our opinion is that I believe the developers should have to be transparent to the public.

I also believe in community lead development, and I think a vital part of that is to have a citizen led board.

This type of structure allows for direct citizen control over what is happening in their communities, diminishes the possibility of special interest projects getting pushed through because all developers have to follow the same guidelines, and diminishes the risk of abuse of authority by any commissioner.

 In the current subdivision ordinance, the Commissioner does have authority in the appeals process, but I feel it is important that the citizens should lead the way on what developments they want to see in their communities. I believe that the citizens on the committee, the citizens of our county, and myself all want the same thing, and that is to see our communities thrive and prosper for years to come.

We can see that happen by working together on tough issues like these.

Thank you and God Bless!

 Blake Elsberry

Sole Commissioner