The Gainesville planning staff recommends approval of plans to expand the Hall County Department of Family and Children Services office but emphasizes the need to protect an adjacent subdivision.
The city Planning and Appeals Board will consider the request to increase the size of the building on McEver Road by about 11,000 square feet when it meets Tuesday.
The planning staff took note of the need to screen as much of the new development as possible from residents of Beechwood Estates Subdivision which is adjacent to the rear of the office property.
Among the conditions attached to the recommendation are:
1) The existing wooden fence shall be extended for the length of the subject property adjacent to the Beechwood Estates Subdivision.
2) The rear of the entire office building shall be painted an earth tone color so as to blend with the natural environment.
3) The existing vegetated buffer areas adjacent to the Beechwood Estates Subdivision shall remain undisturbed except for where storm water improvements are required. Additional evergreen buffer trees shall be planted between the proposed building/parking lot/service areas and the Beechwood Estates Subdivision where needed. The intent of the buffer is to supplement the existing vegetation with buffer trees to provide for an effective buffer. The location, spacing, size and type of trees planted shall be subject to Community Development Department Director approval.
Tuesday's meeting is at 5:15 at the Gainesville Justice Center on Queen City Parkway.
