Despite requests from three residents to table annexation and rezoning requests for a 375-lot subdivision in the Gillsville Highway-Athens Highway area, Gainesville City Council voted unanimously to approve the requests, allowing the proposal to move forward.
All three residents wanted council members to wait on a traffic study for the area before giving their stamp of approval for the 220-acre project being developed by Integrity Development Group, LLC.
"It's probably going to be November at the earliest before this traffic study that the city has requested be completed," said resident Brenda Smith, telling council members she had been in discussions with a representative from the Georgia Department of Transportation about traffic problems in the area. "I recommend that we hold this until the traffic study comes in."
Smith acknowledged an additional condition placed on the developer and the seller of the property to pay for a traffic signal at Gaines Mill and Athens Highway, but she told council members they couldn't guarantee a traffic signal would ever be installed - even if the money was available to pay for it.
"The residents have to realize the DOT has to make the decision and they may not make that decision," Smith said.
Other opponents, such as Angela Middleton, worried about the stress on the school system, noting the size of the subdivision would attract more school-age children to the area.
"I really think you need to consider talking with the school board and see about the safety of any kids that would be transported," Middleton said, alluding to traffic conditions along Gaines Mill Road.
Kim Crumley, however, told council she was happy to see the development coming to the area.
"I'm in favor of it because we need sewer," Crumley said. "East Hall and that part of the county have suffered because we don't have sewer. I drive 15 to 20 minutes to the grocery store, 10 or 15 or maybe 20 minutes to a pharmacy, and we need sewer so that we can have commercial development so that we can also have quality single-family residences."
Councilwoman Barbara Brooks, who represents the district where the property lies, made the motions to accept the rezoning and annexation requests. Councilman Sam Couvillon seconded the motions, saying he believed the development will be beneficial to the area.
"This is $225,000 to $275,000 homes, a development that's going to have amenities. I think it will attract a quality homebuyer, and at the end of the day, I can see why this will bring property values up in the area," Couvillon said.
After the meeting, Community and Economic Development Deputy Director Matt Tate said the traffic study for the area should begin next month. However, he said the developer does not have to wait for the traffic study to be finished before work can begin on the property.
"They could pull permits and within a month be ready to start developing the property," Tate said. The $50,000 for the potential traffic signal would also have to be in an escrow account prior to the onset of any development.
