It was a lengthy session for members of the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board Tuesday night, as board members reviewed three controversial developments for the city.
After more than two hours, planning board members had denied a request for annexation of property on White Sulphur Road at Pine Valley Road for a proposed apartment complex, had also denied rezoning for a townhome development at Chestatee Road and Wilshire Road, and had tabled a request for a stream buffer variance from a developer who wants to build a hotel near Flat Creek.
Citizens, board members concerned about environmental impact of hotel
A number of citizens showed up to express concern about a request from Aneesh Patel to reduce the stream buffer requirement from 75-feet to 25-feet for a Marriott hotel to be built on the same commercial subdivision on Browns Bridge Road that houses the Hilton Garden Inn and Fairfield Inn and Suites.
Wilton Rooks, the Executive Vice President for the Lake Lanier Association, told the planning board he understands commercial development is necessary for the economic health of the city, but he was concerned about reducing the amount of buffer between the hotel and Flat Creek, which is a main feeder of Lake Lanier.
"We think it's [Lake Lanier] is a valuable resource, it's a resource worth protecting and preserving through the regulations that currently exist," said Rooks.
Pat Morgan, also a member of the Lake Lanier Association, said he didn't think Gainesville leaders should be granting a buffer variance on any stream or creek that feeds Lake Lanier.
"Gainesville doesn't have the best track record in the world for keeping silt out of streams and out of the lake. We know how hard it is to do that and I'd go as far to say, in many cases it's impossible," Morgan said.
Board member Jane Fleming noted how much progress the city had made cleaning up Flat Creek, and in her motion to table the request, she asked for more specific details from the developer on how he would make sure the creek was not harmed should the variance be requested.
The developer can bring improvement plans to the board's June 14 meeting.
Board denies plan for townhome development near Wilshire Trails Park
Even though the city's planning staff had recommended approval of a plan to rezone property at the corner of Wilshire Road and Chestatee Road for a townhome development, the Planning and Appeals Board denied the request.
Neighbors along Dixon Drive, which backs up to the proposed development, told the planning board they were concerned about the amount of traffic the additional 14 units might bring to the area.
Architect Jack Bailey, speaking on behalf of the developer, told the board the homes - which would be marketed at $350,000 - $400.000 - would add a maximum of 28 vehicles to the traffic mix in the area.
Board member Eddie Martin, Sr., said he was more concerned about rezoning the property from R-I to R-II, since doing so would set a precedent for other vacant property in the area, which is comprised of single-family homes.
The plan now goes to Gainesville City Council for consideration at its June 7 meeting.
Annexation request denied for Pine Valley Cove, 240-unit apartment complex
Neighbors lined up to object to a request by Timothy Bullard to annex just over 20 acres of county property to the west side of White Sulphur Road and Pine Valley Road for the purpose of building a 240-unit apartment complex.
In his presentation to board members, Bullard said the development - to be known as Pine Valley Cove - would represent a $32 million investment in the city. Plus, he said the development would meet a demand not currently being met by existing housing options in Gainesville.
Despite that, neighbors voiced concerns about traffic in the area, even with the proposal to build a traffic roundabout to help with traffic flow.
Planning Board Chairman Doug Carter also read an email from Gainesville City School Superintendent Wanda Creel, who said there was concern the complex could put more pressure on the school system. She said the closest school - New Holland Core Knowledge Academy - was already at capacity.
The annexation request also goes before Gainesville City Council on June 7.
Members of the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board voted Tuesday night to deny rezoning for a tract of land on Chestatee Road at Wilshire Road for the purpose of a townhome development. The proposal now goes to the Gainesville City Council for consideration.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/5/398258/gainesville-planning-board-asks-hotel-developer-to-come-back-with-answers-to-environmental-questions-denies-two-other-requests