

ECI Ventures, LLC of Atlanta, GA is proposing to build 294 apartment units on 29.4 acres if the McDonough city council approves their rezoning request for RM-75 (multifamily housing) with a variance allowing up to ten dwelling units per acre. The property is located north of the South Point shopping center, adjacent to the Havertys Furniture and Hobby Lobby, with road access from South Point Boulevard.
The applicant’s parent company, ECI Groups, owns fifteen apartment complexes in the metro Atlanta and north Georgia market. South Point Blvd would be the applicant’s first development south of I-20.
The rezoning request was presented to the McDonough council for an initial workshop session on Thursday, August 1. The request is pending before the McDonough Planning Commission after the city council sent it back for further review in October. The MPC previously voted 3-3 on the project with no recommendation.

The applicant’s letter of intent states they intend to provide “a best in class luxury apartment community” with quality finishes and a variety of amenities. Planned amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, pet care center, and community garden. Construction is estimated to last twenty months with units opening in 2021.
The 29.45 acre site includes 1.14 acres located east of South Point Blvd. The applicant states intentions to donate this land to the city of McDonough for a “centrally located park or other community benefitting use.” The remaining 28.31 acres would be used for building purposes, and in recent months, grading activity has occurred on the property.
The staff exhibit is available to view on the city website.
I-75 exit 218 area continues to boom
The proposal from ECI Groups to build their luxury apartment brand in McDonough is the latest in a flurry of new construction in the Exit 218 area. Dave & Busters opens in September and the addition of new residential units will encourage other commercial businesses to locate in the area.
Last December, the McDonough city council approved a commercial rezoning for 4.57 acres in close proximity to the ECI Groups property. More recently, in May, Homewood Suites by Hilton gained approval to build on Avalon Court.
This article was updated on October 27 to reflect its current status.
And who is going to pay to widen the road, add traffic lights and sidewalks? Currently, cars do a “you go first, I’ll go second†and most do a @get out of my way!
State law allows local governments to charge developers a transportation impact fee; however, McDonough does not levy the fee. The majority of funding for local transportation projects is sourced from the SPLOST program.
Where are the children that are school age going to school? One school in this area that usually have trailers to put the kids in.
The subject property is school zoned for Oakland Elementary, Luella Middle, and Luella High. It’s anticipated the school board will propose building new schools where most needed on the education SPLOST VI ballot in 2021.