Commercial real estate firm Parkside Partners has requested another 15 days of due diligence on the former courthouse building in Clarkesville.
Clarkesville City Council approved the extension at a special called meeting Monday, Sept. 30.
If the deal goes through as planned, Parkside will repurpose the structure to make way for the construction of 21 luxury residential and condominium-style units that would overlook the downtown square.
“Today is Parkside’s last day (to extend due diligence) – that’s why we had this meeting,” City Manager Keith Dickerson said. “I don’t know what exactly the issue is. I know there were pricing issues, but they’re looking for 15 days to figure out whether or not they’re going to continue forward with this.”
Dickerson added: “I think their intent is still to try and move forward with this, but I’m a little concerned that it’s probably going to end. This is like the last grasp – (that’s) the way I’m looking at it.”
All parties involved are in agreement on the 15-day extension, according to Dickerson, who told Now Habersham after the meeting that Parkside “had some concerns” regarding the title.
Executive Director of Partnership Habersham Charlie Fiveash said more information should be available in the near future.
“It’s really all part of the same challenges of the lot lines and getting a clear title, especially with the Ag Center building,” Fiveash said. “That’s a little bit of what’s holding us up. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just a matter of getting clarity of where the lot lines will be drawn.”
Fiveash said Parkside has so far invested more than $200,000 into the former courthouse structure in Clarkesville.
Rocky Branch Road development
Council members also voted Monday to approve the rezoning of an 80-home development proposed on Rocky Branch Road. At a regular meeting earlier this month, council approved the annexation of the 13.5-acre property but not the rezoning.
The vote to approve the rezoning was unanimous.
Approval of the annexation into the city in effect rezones the property from low intensity to R-II (multifamily) – a step forward for a proposal that drew vocal opposition from the public at a planning and zoning meeting in August.
The proposed number of units is not final and could be reduced before the request reappears before Clarkesville’s Planning and Zoning Commission – either in the coming months or by early next year.
