After being tabled in March, the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board is set to consider three requests from an Atlanta-based development group for a large development on Ga. 53/Dawsonville Highway.
Oak Hall Companies, LLC, has proposed an active adult development with 880 units, to include townhomes, single-family detached homes, cottages and assisted and independent living units. The group has also proposed an amenity area and 24,000 square feet of retail, office and restaurant space.
The two annexation and one rezoning requests encompass 235 acres in the area of Ahaluna Drive.
The Oak Hall items were tabled at the March 14 planning and appeals board meeting after the community development department requested more traffic data from Oak Hall before making a recommendation to the board.
The development has become controversial, with some residents along the corridor and others concerned about added traffic opposing the project.
"It is estimated this development will add more than 6,000 cars per day to the Dawsonville Hwy load," a statement on a website organized by concerned citizens states.
"We should oppose any additional development feeding into Dawsonville Hwy until a plan is implemented to resolve the current and growing traffic problems," a downloadable flier on the site states.
The booming Dawsonville Highway corridor has become congested as motorists visit restaurants and stores along the Gainesville stretch. The traffic has gained the attention of the city, residents, Georgia Department of Transportation and the Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The Oak Hall requests are just three on an agenda that includes items ranging from a helipad to an outdoor recreation facility.
GROUP HOME
Brightstone Transitions is seeking to amend zoning on a half acre on the east side of Green Street, across from its intersection with Forrest Avenue for a group home and offices.
"The applicant states the group home will include a maximum of 6 to 8 males between the age of 18 and 24 years of age that are diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a social disorder," city planning documents state.
Residential mentors would be with the students at all times, according to the paperwork.
GAS STATION
Also on the agenda, Montecito Development has proposed a 5,200 square foot convenience store with four pump islands at the corner of Thompson Bridge Road and Enota Avenue. The Circle K store and station would go on a lot that was previously the location of a Long John Silver's restaurant. The plan also encompasses a tract directly behind the old restaurant lot.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Manor Lake Development, LLC, has asked for special use on over nine acres of property on the northwest side of McEver Road, between Browns Bridge Road and Orchard Brook Drive. The project calls for an 82-unit/86-bed assisted living and memory care facility.
OTHER ITEMS
Gainesville Market, LLC wants a special use on roughly 5 acres west of Shallowford Road within the Gainesville Market Shopping Center.
"The applicant is proposing a special use within general business zoning to allow for a commercial outdoor recreational facility to include four soccer fields (three dirt fields and one lighted concrete field)," planning documents state.
The board will also consider a special use request from Carriage North, LLC, for a helipad within an overflow parking area adjacent to Carriage Nissan, at the end of Corporate Drive.
"According to the applicant, there will be less than ten helicopter takeoffs and landings each month during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The helicopter is used by the owner of Carriage Auto, David Basha, and will be piloted by Blue Ridge helicopters, Inc," documents state.
The Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board meeting is on Tuesday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Justice Center on Queen City Parkway.
