Chatham County Commissioners voted 3-2 to apply zoning to the remaining portions of the county that were previously unzoned at its meeting Monday night.

The vote means that the newly zoned portions of the county will now fall under R-1 or R-5 zoning regulations.

R-1 will allow “low to moderate density residential development in residential and agricultural areas (approximately one residence per acre).” R-5, meanwhile, calls for approximately one residence per five acres in areas adjacent to rivers and streams.

Bona fide farms, which are defined by state law, are exempt from the zoning regulations as long as they continue using the property for agricultural purposes, according to a release.

Businesses that are in areas that were previously unzoned are being grandfathered in as non-conforming issues, meaning they can continue operating even though they do not fit the current zoning guidelines.

The issue had been a contentious point among Chatham County residents and commissioners between those thinking this was a way to protect the county from impending development and those who felt it was government intrusion.

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