The Hall County Commission approved at its meeting Thursday evening a rezoning request allowing for a subdivision on Gillsville Highway with 399 single-family detached homes and townhomes.
The commission voted four to one, with Commissioner Shelly Echols being the lone dissenting vote.
The approval came several months after the request was originally brought before the county, as the matter was tabled in January and February. The Hall County Planning Commission recommended denial of the rezoning at their meeting in December.
Applicant Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc. was seeking to rezone a 347.23-acre tract near Gillsville Highway's intersection with Evergreen Holloway Drive from Residential-I to Planned Residential Development. A single-story detached home will be about 1800 square feet, while two-story detached homes will be about 2200 square feet. The townhomes in the development will be about 1800 square feet.
Attorney Joshua Scoggins, speaking on behalf of Forestar, said the site plan was adjusted to fit concerns brought up by the planning commission in December.
"We have worked very hard throughout this process to address concerns not only by the neighbors, the planning commission, the county staff and board of commissioners but also by the DOT and every other agency that I can think of," Scoggins said. "This is, in my opinion ... probably the most perfect example of a conservation greenspace subdivision that I've ever worked on."
Scoggins said the site was revised to maintain over 69% of open space, while they are only required to have 30%.
The site will have one entrance on Gillsville Highway. A second entrance will be available on Joe Parker Road, but will be gated and is intended only to be used for emergency use. Forestar will also be constructing an eastbound left-turn lane into the subdivision and a westbound right turn lane in. However, four Hall County residents who spoke in opposition of the rezoning all cited traffic issues as a major concern.
Nearby resident Jeff Smith said he already struggles with traffic in East Hall County.
"Traffic is a nightmare out there already," Smith said during a public hearing on the rezoning. "Let's toss 2000 or 3000 more cars out there ... increased population equals more crime, traffic and degradation of the environment."
Pat Adams, who lives near the proposed development, said she was concerned about EMTs getting in and out of the area due to traffic on Gillsville Highway.
"That road has no shoulder. With the traffic backups, if there are emergencies, if you need an ambulance, the infrastructure doesn't support all this," Adams said.
