An annexation and rezoning of 13.5 acres off Rocky Branch Road cleared Clarkesville’s City Council without objection after a public hearing Monday, potentially making way for a proposed large-scale residential development north of Highway 17/115.
Council’s 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.
None of the 15-plus people in attendance spoke at Monday’s public hearing.
Still in the planning stages
Bill Gresham, who’s representing property owner Joey Arencibia, said the current proposal plans for 80 lots (a combination of townhomes and single-family units) along the perimeter and interior of the site.
“But it should all be in the same style of the buildings,” Gresham said, later adding, “This (proposal) is a little bit different because it will not have walking traffic. We kind of tried to figure out if maybe we could do golf carts. We might have to work with the county on that, but maybe we can make it happen.”
Gresham stressed 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.
“We’ll work toward a development plan that (council) can get happy with and the neighbors can get happy with – all at the same time bringing new populations to the city,” Gresham told the council. “…we want to do a quality development – something the city can be proud of.”
Clarkesville Councilman Franklin Brown also emphasized that the current request by the developer, as drafted, is not final and could be amended in the future.
“We have not seen the plans,” Brown said. “The number of units haven’t been looked at or decided. We’re waiting on proposals from (the applicant).”
‘Right thing to do for the community’
Before adjournment, Mayor Barrie Aycock said she believes the rezoning and annexation of the property into the city is “the right thing to do for the community.”
“We’ll just look forward to hearing when (Gresham) gets (his) plans, and then we’ll go to the next step,” she said.
While city officials have deemed that Clarkesville’s water system could support a proposed development of that size, a recent study determined there isn’t adequate sewer capacity along Rocky Branch and that additional sewer lines would have to be provided by the developer if such a project were to be approved.
Clarkesville Planning and Zoning Director Caleb Gaines said in August that city officials were in the process of conducting a traffic study for that area.
Potential prices of the homes or the cost of the planned development have not yet been determined, according to Gresham.
