Rezoning activity in Cherokee County is off to a little bit better start for 2010, as compared to the past year.

Six rezoning requests have been filed for January public hearings by county and city planning commissions. There were four requests filed last year at this time to be heard in January.

The Cherokee County Planning Commission has five requests scheduled to be heard at its Jan. 5 meeting.

Dean Woodall has requested 55.6 acres on Highway 20 between Ficklen Church Way and Upper Sweetwater Trail in west Cherokee be rezoned from agricultural to general commercial for unspecified commercial uses.

Dana Stewart has requested 36 acres at 1260 and 1282 Chattin Drive in the Univeter community be rezoned from R-80 single-family residential to agricultural for a horse boarding facility.

Jason Nix has requested 30 acres on Sugar Pike Road near Batesville Road near Hickory Flat be rezoned from R-80 single family residential to agricultural for a proposed pumpkin farm.

HCR Properties has requested 13.875 acres on Cartersville Street in Ball Ground be rezoned from R-20 single-family conservation to residential zero-lot line for a 33-house neighborhood.

Judy Trinkle and Theron Knight have requested 4.5 acres at 1331 and 1341 Toonigh Road in Toonigh be rezoned from R-80 single-family residential to a less dense R-40 single-family residential for two existing houses.

Charles Kirby of BridgeMill, a member of the county's planning commission, said he anticipates rezoning requests to stream in more consistently next year.

"It is an encouraging sign," he said. "It is a sign that things may be picking up a little."

The Canton Planning Commission has received one rezoning request scheduled to be heard in January. No requests had been turned in for January at this time last year.

Canton Highway 140 has requested 5.92 acres on Reinhardt College Parkway at Highway 140 be rezoned from planned shopping center to C2 commercial for an 80-unit assisted living facility.

Woodstock's planning department did not receive any requests for January. Zoning Administrator Patti Hart said the city is hearing some inquiries from appraisers about property.

"There are still doing a little bit of their homework," she said. "When the timing is right, they will get back in."

Holly Springs Planning Commission will not hear any rezoning requests this month, and the deadline for January's hearing is at the end of the month.

"We have not heard of anything," Community Development Director Brantley Day said about the drop in activity. "This time of year, it is pretty quiet."

The Nelson Planning Commission has not received any rezoning requests so far for its January hearing. It also did not have any requests at this time last year.