The Floyd County Commission has rejected two separate zoning requests affecting properties in the Silver Creek and Horseleg Creek Road areas. Commissioners voted 3–0 to deny a special-use permit that would have allowed a solar farm to be constructed on a 40-acre undeveloped tract off Isbell Road.

The parcel sits just north of the future Rome bypass extension that will connect U.S. 411 with Georgia 101. Planning staff had recommended denial, noting the land could be better suited for future residential development because of its proximity to nearby neighborhoods.

The Rome-Floyd Planning Commission previously supported the request, but only with conditions requiring construction to begin within a year and the permit to automatically expire if the project ended. With Tuesday’s vote, the project cannot move forward on that property.

Commissioners also denied a separate request from a Horseleg Creek Road resident seeking agricultural-residential zoning to keep egg-laying hens for personal use. Neighbors objected to the rezoning, expressing concerns that allowing AR zoning could open the door to other livestock in a primarily suburban neighborhood. While the planning commission had recommended approval with a hens-only restriction, county commissioners said the proposal lacked limits on the number of chickens that could be kept.

That application was rejected without prejudice, meaning the owner may revise and resubmit the request without waiting the usual 12 months. Planning officials say a special-use permit for a hobby farm may be a more suitable path moving forward.