Planning staff recommends approval of one north Gainesville development, denial of another

GAINESVILLE - The planning staff for the City of Gainesville is recommending denial of the rezoning necessary for a retail complex and restaurant on the city's north side and approval of plans for an assisted living facility in that same area.<br /> <br /> The staff's report cites the city's Comprehensive Plan and nearby residential areas in recommending denial of David Johnson's rezoning request for 1.5 acres at Thompson Bridge Road and Virginia Circle.<br /> <br /> "The planning staff believes the request as presented is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as the rear lot is shown to remain as residential or for light office uses," according to the report. "The proposal as shown provides for a 25-foot wide buffer area which would be required by code. However, there are portions of the retail and restaurant buildings, dumpster pads, parking and a two-way access drive which is not conducive for the adjacent residential neighborhood."<br /> <br /> The report goes on to say "Compared to the nearby BB&T Bank property constructed in 1994, the proposal would appear to have more of an impact on the neighborhood due to the type of uses proposed and the hours of operation."<br /> <br /> ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY<br /> <br /> The assisted living facility is planned a couple of miles north of Thompson Bridge Road and Virginia Circle at 2601 Thompson Bridge Road.<br /> <br /> Over the Hill Holdings, LLC wants to locate a 200-bed assisted living facility and 20 attached independent living homes on 10.3 acres that was the site of Harbor View Apartments. Plans to develop condominiums on the tract in 2007 and 2009 never materialized.<br /> <br /> CHURCH SIGN<br /> <br /> The staff is also recommending approval of an electronic message board (EMB) in front of First Baptist Church on Green Street to replace an existing non-electronic sign. <br /> <br /> The church says the new sign is needed in order to display the numerous church and community events held at the church, while eliminating occasional vandalism and the time and expense of manually changing out the letters on the existing sign. The sign would be similar to those at the Gainesville Civic Center, First United Methodist Church and Lakewood Baptist Church.<br /> <br /> All three applications will be considered by the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board at 5:30 Tuesday at the Gainesville Justice Center/Public Safety Building on Queen City Parkway.

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