GAINESVILLE – A proposed townhouse development and major grocery store received recommendations for approval from the Hall County Planning Commission Monday evening, possibly bringing closure for 58.52-acres at the intersection of Price and Thompson Bridge Roads.
Neville Allison presented the residential portion of the application for The Revive Land Group, LLC, saying of the cleared, graded and partially-developed property, “This site has been struggling to find its balance of mixed-use.”
Originally approved for mixed-use in November, 2006, but never developed, the property changed ownership and was subsequently re-approved with several amendments in January, 2013. That project faltered after turn lanes were constructed, entrances established and detention ponds installed. The parcel has sat undisturbed since then.
“What is the right balance of retail for this area and residential? And quite frankly, I think they got it a little wrong both (previous) times,” Allison added.
Revive Land Group, LLC, wants to construct 185 two-story townhome units on 44.24-acres, each with a two-car garage, three or four bedrooms, ranging in size from 1950 to 2196-square feet. Estimated starting price point will be in the low $300,000s.
Fuqua Acquisitions, LLC, plans to use the remaining 14.28-acres to construct up to 84,362-square feet of commercial space. Included in the commercial configuration are several restaurants, medical office space, and a 48,387-square foot grocery store.
Jeff Fuqua presented the application and said he has received a firm commitment for the grocery store. “One of the reasons our grocery store finally approved this site was the fact that there was going to be adjacent residential finally being developed here.”
“When their corporate committee came here to approve the site that was probably the one thing they focused on most, finding enough rooftops in the area to support the grocery store,” Fuqua explained.
When asked what grocery store chain was intending to occupy the space, Fuqua answered, “I can’t tell you their name but their logo is green and they have terrazzo floors.”
Both applicants held open meetings with area residents to hear any concerns and answer any questions. “We always try to engage with the community before we come and have a public hearing. We met with representatives of Lanier Village and Walnut Grove. Both said…they were not opposed to the project(s). 'We think it makes sense. We really want to see the commercial and we understand in order for that commercial to be viable we need some new rooftops, and we need to inject some vibrancy into the area.'”
Three people spoke in opposition to the residential development of the project Monday evening citing traffic concerns but all parties were in favor of the commercial development on the site.
Commissioners recommended both applications for approval but added conditions that will require a special use application and public hearing before any self-storage facility, full service car wash, or gas station with attached carwash apparatus is allowed.
The applications now go to the Hall County Commission for final consideration December 9.
