More than six months after having a rezoning request denied, a developer's repeated request to make way for a large residential project on Mulberry Street received first reading approval from the Flowery Branch City Council Thursday.
Stark Land Development is looking to zone six parcels totaling over 110 acres near the city's downtown from Light Industrial to Residential Multi-Family to make way for a project that would feature more than 180 single family homes and 140 townhomes.
The initial request was denied by the council in June of 2021, with council members citing concerns over traffic impact and water and sewer capacity. Councilman Joe Anglin said at Thursday's meeting that the developer has offered to help the city make improvements to the nearby roads to try to alleviate those traffic concerns.
"The applicant has said that they would contribute certain amounts of dollars towards help with Phil Niekro Boulevard," Anglin said. "They have also said that they would help put in a right turn lane from Mulberry Street onto Phil Niekro. That's some of the things that were not in that first request six months ago."
One resident spoke against the request, citing traffic concerns. Representatives of Stark Land Development were at Thursday's meeting but did not address the council.
The second and final reading for the rezoning request is scheduled for the council's next meeting on January 20 at Flowery Branch City Hall.
