Planning commission approves new 240-unit apartment complex on Dawson Forest Road

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A new 240-unit apartment complex received a positive recommendation by the Dawson County Planning Commission Tuesday.

Despite the objections of some area residents based on traffic and stormwater runoff, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project to the Board of Commissioner who will make the final decision on June 20

Property owner Billy Hughes III had requested the 40-acre site located on Dawson Forest Road be rezoned from Residential Agriculture (RA) to Residential Multi-Family (RFM).

Speaking on behalf of the property owner, Brian Metzler said the apartments will be high-end residences, featuring granite countertops, vinyl plank flooring and quality electric and plumbing fixtures. The development will feature a 4,000 square foot clubhouse with fitness center and leasing office and a swimming pool and deck.

Bob Parris was first to speak in opposition to the development. “Those of you all that live in that area I don’t know if you need a traffic study or not,” he said. “You know how dangerous it is. Adding 200 and something or more cars a day is just going to make it worse.”

Kevin Dye, who lives on Sundown Lane and works for the City of Johns Creek Public Works Department specializing in government land acquisition, also objected to the project.

“I’m not opposed to an apartment complex at that location,” he said. “However, I have a major concern about this development related to water quality due to increased sediment runoff. The cove has worsened since I lived there the last seven years due to the new development in that area. The cove is getting shallower. There is a lot more silt built up there. I’m concerned this development proposes several new areas of impervious area and that is going to compound the issue. I recommend an increase in the stream buffer to at least 100 feet and decreasing the impervious area by reducing the number of units per acre.”

Commissioners also approved a request by Star Financial, LLC to vary from a Land Use Resolution in order to reduce the number of parking spaces by three, to accommodate the addition of an outdoors dining patio.

Commissioners questioned whether the current parking was adequate to accommodate customers. John Lovell, speaking on behalf of Star Financial, said it is and, he added, the outdoor dining patio would enhance the restaurant’s atmosphere.

No one spoke in opposition. Approval of the variance request does not require approval by the Board of Commissioners unless an appeal is filed.

The commission also unanimously approved a request by Piedmont Residential for a Residential Planned Community and Zoning Condition update for property located at the intersection of Harry Sosebee Road and Lumpkin Campground Road.

The property was originally zoned in 2006 for 400 residential units and later reduced to 330 with a private wastewater treatment facility and two acres of commercial. The wastewater facility was never built and future plans for that intersection call for the county to build a traffic circle.

Speaking on behalf of Piedmont Residential Acquisitions, LLC, Mike Miller explained the purpose of the request it to modify conditions to be consistent with the construction of the traffic circle, revise some conditions that no longer apply and to revise certain buffers.

Miller said his request would not reduce the size of the buffers or eliminate them, but would allow Piedmont Residential Acquisitions to go into the buffers to install stormwater runoff facilities then replant them.

Miller said, after the site plan was developed, he realized there would be some stormwater runoff from neighboring properties.

Sandra Kritikos, who owns property adjacent to the development rose to express her concerns.

Kritikos wanted assurance that a five-foot fence, which was part of the original zoning conditions would not be eliminated.

“Our concern is kids coming back through there and crossing into our property going out our dirt road to get to Blacks Mill Road. “It’s half a mile long and I just don’t want to be liable for any kids who get hurt there. That’s my biggest issue.”

Miller agreed to build the fence and the commission voted to recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners.

 

 

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