Henry County is considering new standards for multifamily development. Staff presented an initial draft of the new apartment standards at the April board meeting.
Chair Harrell asked staff to meet with each commissioner to further discuss the proposal. Staff advertised a public hearing about the new standards for May, but have postponed it.
Draft New Apartment Standards
The draft standards have three sections: townhomes, cluster houses and apartments. A code section for cluster homes would be new to Henry County.
There are some similarities between the townhome and cluster home sections. They include the following:
- Architectural standards, to include at least one-third of the front facade must be brick or stone.
- Provide guest parking at a rate of one space per four units.
- Require amenities based on the number of units, such as a playground and pocket park(s) for projects with less than fifty units. Projects with 51–100 units shall add a cabana, fire pit and grilling area. Projects with over 100 units shall have a swimming pool, clubhouse and fitness facility, in addition to the aforementioned amenities.
The minimum square footage for a townhome or cluster home would be 1,200 heated square feet. The min. lot size for cluster homes would be 4,750 square feet. Presently, the smallest lot size found in county code is 7,280 square feet. The draft standards do not appear to require garages in cluster homes.
Apartment Standards
The draft apartment standards have more differences than the other sections. For example, the architectural standards would require brick or stone exteriors. Cement fiberboard could comprise up to 35%. All new apartments would require at least two entrances; entrances must have gates.
The draft standards propose the following minimum square footage requirements:
- Studio – 450 square feet
- One bedroom – 600 square feet
- Two bedrooms – 900 square feet
- Three bedrooms – 1,200 square feet
Finally, amenities would have to include a pool, cabana or clubhouse, fitness facility, playground and dog park(s). There shall also be walking trails.
All building types would require at least a fifty-foot buffer along exterior roadways. The buffer would be undisturbed if the site has sufficient tree coverage. Otherwise, the developer would add landscaping.
Zoning Districts
The draft new standards propose to allow townhomes or cluster homes, by right, within the R-5 (single-family residential) zoning district. R-5 zoning presently allows lots starting at 10,890 square feet. This equals one quarter-acre. Few properties have this zoning in Henry County.
The new standards would apply within the RM (multifamily housing) and RS (residential suburban) zoning districts. The draft does not reference MU (mixed use) zoning. Numerous new apartments in the last few years have applied for and are building in the mixed use zoning district.
More revisions to the new standards are likely before Henry County considers adopting them. The current multifamily moratorium will end when the county adopts the new standards.
Featured image shows four-story apartment buildings. Stock photo.
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