The Hall County Planning Commission recommended approval Monday for a business park near Lula off Cornelia Highway.
The application, submitted by CBD Investments, LLC, sought to rezone 303 acres into a planned industrial development. The area in question sits between Lula Road, Cornelia Highway and Athens Street. If approved, the industrial park will provide infrastructure and lots for businesses to operate on.
The Hall County Commission will get the final vote to rezone the area at its meeting on November 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Brian Rochester, representing CBD Investments, explained how plans for this industrial park are reminiscent of how many other parks have been constructed in Hall County. He cited the main use as industrial while noting the possibility for retail and other commercial opportunities as well, given the proximity to Lula.
“This was anticipated in the county’s comprehensive plan that this would be an activity center and the proper use there would be a master plan business park or industrial park,” Rochester said. “We think that [the industrial park] is very much in keeping with what was intended.”
While residents expressed approval at the influx of potential business, they also spoke out against the application, detailing concerns about potential traffic issues. Burton Drive runs through the property in question, leading many to believe that it would be closed or removed as a thoroughfare. County Planning Commission member Gina Pilcher said after the meeting that these concerns will be addressed in the application’s required conditions.
“[Burton Drive] is a no-through truck zone, because it does go into downtown Lula,” Pilcher said. “And so with the condition that was put on it, it will remain a no-through truck zone in that portion. The road can remain open and they can use it as their way to get in and out of downtown Lula, or to other places. And it’ll keep the truck traffic out of Lula.”
