The expansion of Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville moves forward, but not without some concern from residents who live near the retirement complex.
The Hall County Commission on Thursday night unanimously approved a request to allow an additional 31 cottage homes to be built on the 15.07 acres of the property on Thompson Bridge Road near Mt. Vernon Road.
However, District 2 Commissioner Billy Powell added conditions to the application that would require developer THW Design to take extra care to prevent sediment generated by construction from accumulating on adjacent properties. Sediment and runoff was a problem with the initial construction of Lanier Village Estates in 1998, an issue presented when the Hall County Planning Commission heard the request earlier in the month.
Powell told engineers for THW he wanted them prior to construction to measure siltation levels in a pond on the property of Lee Smith (a pond that was destroyed by first-phase construction) and in a Lake Lanier cove in the neighboring Oak Harbour subdivision. Then after construction is complete, Powell said engineers should measure siltation levels again to make sure the levels were not increased; if they are, then THW would have to rehabilitate the bodies of water in question.
Powell told residents who voiced concerns that environmental practices had improved in the last 20 years.
"Back then, they had to have one row of silt fence period - that's about it," Powell said. "Now they have to have two rows that are buried in the ground and staked and constantly inspected."
He acknowledged the improved fencing would not hold back water, but it would prevent excessive mud and sediment from washing onto adjacent properties.
Oak Harbour residents Carole Forrest and Cathy Cuyler also told commissioners they were concerned about a second entrance planned for the retirement complex on Mt. Vernon Road, noting that there would be no security guard on duty to control access to the area.
Commissioner Scott Gibbs asked that security cameras be placed at the entrance. The developer agreed to the installation of the cameras and also assured the commissioners that access through the entry would only be granted with an access card.
In addition to the 31 free standing cottages, the expansion also includes the addition of 11 beds to the assisted living building at the retirement community.
