The board of commissioners approved a rezoning of eighty-seven acres in the Union Grove area for a new subdivision. The property, located at 728 Elliott Road, was rezoned from RA (residential agricultural) to R-2 on sewer (single-family residential). Commissioners also approved a conditional use permit for the property to support a conservation subdivision, overturning a previous denial by the zoning advisory board.
The applicant, Builders Professional Group, LLC of Jonesboro, GA, collaborated with Commissioner Barham and surrounding residents to reach a compromise about the proposed development. The number of lots was reduced from 130 to 105 homes and the minimum lot size was increased over the minimums allowed by county code in a conservation subdivision. Additionally, the minimum home size will start at 2,800 square feet.
The rezoning request was approved with the following ten (10) conditions:
- The entrances shall be located such that the minimum intersection sight distance and the minimum spacing requirement are met per the road’s posted speed limit, and shall have a deceleration lane and acceleration taper designed and constructed to HCDOT standards. The requirements of the [traffic impact study] shall be constructed, including a left-turn lane(s).
- The developer / owner shall preserve an area within the subject property sufficient for the Campground Road extension to cross with a minimum 100 foot wide future right-of-way. This must be shown on the final plan for approval.
- Each home shall have a minimum two-car garage. Garages shall be side-entry where feasible.
- The homes shall consist entirely of a combination of two or more of the following on all sides: brick, stone, stucco, and cement fiberboard. Vinyl based products are only permitted in the soffits, eaves, and fascia.
- The developer / owner shall place a centralized mailbox unit outside of the public right-of-way for the use of those lots which will not be served by the United States Postal Service (USPS) directly. This must be shown on the final plan for approval.
- Any disturbed areas of residential lots shall be sodded except where landscaping is present or installed.
- All homes shall have a minimum of 2,800 square feet of heated floor space.
- There shall be a minimum 50′ buffer between the subject property and its northern, eastern, and southern boundaries with a minimum 100′ landscape buffer between the subject property and Elliott Road.
- The owner / developer shall conduct a traffic study and comply with all applicable findings, and shall consider doing the traffic study in September.
- A privacy fence shall be installed along the northern, eastern, and southern property lines between the subject property and the property lines of 708 Elliott Road.
The conditional use permit was approved with the following seven (7) conditions:
- The average lot size shall be 18,000 square feet.
- A privacy fence shall be installed along the northern, eastern, and southern property lines between the subject property and the property lines of 708 Elliott Road.
- There shall be a minimum 100 foot (100′) landscape buffer between the subject property and Elliott Road.
- The number of lots shall be limited to 105.
- Lots shall be a minimum of 100 feet (100′) wide.
- All yards shall be fully sodded, with streetlights.
- The developer / owner shall preserve an area within the subject property sufficient for the Campground Road extension to cross with a minimum 100 foot (100′) wide future right-of-way. This must be shown on the final plat for approval.