Gainesville City Council approves annexation/ rezoning on Ahaluna Drive

GAINESVILLE - At its meeting Tuesday evening, Gainesville City Council members unanimously approved an annexation/rezoning request that will bring a high-end development to Ahaluna Drive, off Dawsonville Highway.<br /> <br /> The property is owned by West Ahaluna, LLC and Barry G. Connor, and they agreed to reduce the number of lots from 219 down to 199.<br /> <br /> Other conditions stipulated in the approval include a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet, a minimum distance of 15 feet between houses, and a minimum square footage of 2,100 per house.<br /> <br /> Residents who live in the area hired attorney Clyde Morris, who addressed the council in opposition.<br /> <br /> "I would maintain the proper procedure has not been followed with regard to public notice and public hearings," said Morris.<br /> <br /> David Chamberlin, who lives in the area, shared a similar sentiment.<br /> <br /> "We just didn't have time to do anything. The developer and the city...they knew what was going on for a long time before we knew," said Chamberlin. "We were not against the development. We were just against the quality of the development that the concept plan put forth."<br /> <br /> Jim Walters, the attorney representing West Ahaluna, LLC, says his client has addressed concerns.<br /> <br /> "Whenever there's change, of course, (people) are always concerned. They want to know what's happening and how it's happening," said Walters. "They're very nice people, very good citizens there. They've been perfect gentlemen and ladies."<br /> <br /> He says the general consensus among neighbors is that the new development will increase their property values.<br /> <br /> The building process will come in three phases, with the first one taking about a year.<br /> <br /> <i>(Previous stories following this development are linked below.)</i>