Hall Co. commissioners weigh developments carefully

GAINESVILLE - A large mixed-use development on the Georgia Highway 365 corridor may be put on hold once again, even though it is set to be on Thursday's Hall County Commission agenda.

Commissioners have already tabled the application for Gateway Village one time. Attorney Rob Chambers very briefly told commissioners at a Tuesday work session developer Barker Street, LLC would not object to a delay in the approval of the project.

The proposed Gateway Village encompasses 467.1 acres of land on the east side of Georgia 365 at Chiplan Road. Developers plan to construct 310 multi-family residential units on the property, along with 186 single-family residences. The development would also include 600,000 square feet of commercial and office space.

The Hall County Planning Commission has already approved the application, with conditions.

At Tuesday's session, Hall County Planning Director Srikanth Yamala did not say why there might be a delay in final approval of the project, but he said a delay did not mean there was a problem with the proposal.

"I think it's prudent that we are taking a much [more] cautious approach, not necessarily to ask the developer to do more work, but to make sure the development is a quality one," said Yamala.

Another project that might get a vote Thursday is a 14-lot subdivision and community drip irrigation system on the west side of Indian Trail at Cleveland Highway. Commissioners had some questions about safety at the intersection of Cleveland Highway, and Yamala said he would try to get answers from the developer about possible improvements before meeting time at 6 p.m. The Hall County Planning Commission has also approved this project with conditions.

Yamala noted that development proposals are increasing, and while county leaders are anxious to see a boost in construction, he said commissioners want to make sure the projects are a good fit for the county.

"We take it very seriously," said Yamala. "At the end of the day, we want to make sure it's quality development or quality rezoning."