The Troup County Board of Commissioners approved changes to the county zoning ordinance Tuesday to better comply with the Fair Housing Act.

The specific section under consideration was a section that dealt with what is defined as a family for zoning purposes within the county. The section previously defined family as “a group of individuals not necessarily related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship living together in a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit. For the purposes of this ordinance, ‘family’ does not include any society, club, fraternity, sorority, association, lodge, federation, or like organizations; or any group of individuals who are in a group living arrangement as a result criminal offenses or drug and alcohol rehabilitation.”

Under the revision, the ordinance now says, “a single family may consist of not more than one of the following: 1. Any number of people related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodial relationship occupying a single dwelling unit, provided no such family shall contain more than two non-related persons; or 2. a group of not more than three non-related persons occupying a single dwelling unit. For the purpose of this definition, a person shall be considered to reside in a dwelling unit if he or she stays overnight in a dwelling unit for more than 30 days within a 90-day period; or receives mail at the dwelling unit; or lists the dwelling unit as his or her home address on any documents. The term ‘family’ does not include any society, club, fraternity, sorority, association, lodge, institutional group or like organization.”

According to County Planner Tracie Hadaway, the updated ordinance should better comply with federal regulations and make the ordinance more consistent and fair.

“We would be treating all groups the same, which is what we should do,” Hadaway said.

The revision also cleaned up several sections of the zoning ordinance, including changes to sections on boarders, halfway houses, handicapped, nursing home, personal care home and resident.

The county commission also voted to approve a mobile home placement on Baughs Cross Road, a beer and wine license for EJ’s Grille on West Point Road and a beer and wine license for the Travel Store on Whitesville Road.

The board of commissioners voted against a home occupation business on Leonard Road in a 3-1 vote.

The planning board had previously voted against the permit unanimously due to concerns for large vehicles turning out onto the curvy road, which has a short sight difference.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet again on Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Avenue.