Thursday March 28th, 2024 4:51AM

Hall DFCS remodel, expansion clears planning board

The Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board Tuesday recommended approval of a zoning amendment for an expansion of the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services' office on McEver Road.
 
Gainesville Planning Manager Matt Tate said the unanimous vote came with several staff recommended conditions.
 
"The main issue was the rear of the property, providing for a buffer, both with fence and vegetation, and then painting the rear of the building an earth tone color so it would blend better adjacent to the Beechwood Estates Subdivision."
 
The property owner and applicant, McEver Extension Properties, LLC is seeking to amend the existing planned unit development zoning to allow for the larger expanded office building.
 
According to the applicant's proposal, the exterior of the roughly 11,000 square foot expansion will have a facade that's similar to the existing building with the addition of a "watermark of stone" along the front of it.
 
Another condition stipulates the building's appearance remain consistent with what is proposed in the application.
 
"The owner will be renovating the entire building, so it will take on a new look and will be improved, and so the condition applies to the entire building." 
 
The expansion will take place in the property's existing parking lot.  Vehicle access to the office will remain unchanged.  When complete, 135 parking spaces will be provided for staff and visitors, according to the application.
 
Tate said the Gainesville City Council is scheduled to take a first vote on the proposal on January 9.
 
The only other agenda item in Tuesday's planning board meeting was tabled, according to Tate.  EDRE Assets, LLC is seeking annexation of approximately 5 acres of property at 2608 and 2611 Ramsey Road.  The planned unit development request is for three single-family lots.
 
"The applicant is having to change their boundary survey to include less property, so they needed more time to do that," Tate said.
 
The planning board is now scheduled to hear the request on January 16.
 
Closing out its meeting business for the year, the board recognized the service of a long-time member who is stepping down.  Tate said Connie Rucker was first appointed to the board in May of 2008.
 
He said the process to find a replacement will begin soon.  The Gainesville City Council appoints members to the seven-member board for two-year staggered terms.
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