The latest request for new apartments could also be a first for Henry County. The Stockbridge Planning Commission considered in June a proposal for five-story apartments on Old Conyers Road.
The proposal is at the intersection of East Atlanta Road and Old Conyers Road. The city council will consider the request in July. Update: the city council voted 4–1 to approve the rezoning request. They limited the project to four stories & 160 units.
Old Conyers Road Apartments
First National Land Trust of Douglasville, GA has applied to rezone 6.71 acres from SR (suburban residential) to PUD (planned unit development). The property is located at 111 Old Conyers Road. In addition, they have applied to amend the city’s land use map from low-density residential to special purpose. Finally, they applied for three variances. The variances include the following
- reduce the number of parking space,
- increase the ground-floor percentage for residential use, and
- increase the project density.
The proposed project would construct 200 apartments in a five-story building. There is 15,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. Covered parking is also on the ground floor. Residential units would be on the upper floors.
The proposal includes 95 studio units, 95 one-bedroom units, 6 two-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom units. The building footprint measures 48,000 sq ft per floor, or a total of 240,000 sq ft.
MHF News is not aware of a five-story apartment building in Henry County. The inclusion of covered parking on the building’s ground-floor could also be a first in the county.
The project has a proposed density of nearly 30 units per acre. By contrast, the city’s special purpose land use category has a max density of 24 units per acre. Planning staff made note of this difference in their recommendations discussed below.
Flood Plain & TAD
Of note, about half of the subject property is in the flood plain. This is because Brush Creek runs on the southern edge of the property. The applicant intends to place some green space and amenities beside the creek. Parking spaces and the building would be outside of the wetlands.
Finally, the property is located within the city’s proposed tax allocation district. The TAD is meant to encourage private economic activity and redevelopment on the North Henry Blvd corridor.
Staff Recommendation & Planning Commission
The city of Stockbridge zoning staff reviewed the request. They recommended approval of the comp plan amendment, rezoning request with conditions, and two variances. City staff recommended a few major changes:
- reduce the project from 200 units to 160 units,
- limit the project’s height to four stories, and
- reduce the project’s density to 24 units per acre.
On the variance requests, city staff recommended to reduce the parking by 30 spaces and to cap the project’s density at 24 units per acre. On the request pertinent to a ground-floor percentage, Stockbridge staff said they could not locate this requirement in the city’s code. For this reason, they found the variance was not necessary.
The Stockbridge Planning Commission considered the request on Thursday, June 20. They recommended approval of the development. The Stockbridge council will consider it at their upcoming meeting on Monday, July 8. The city council meets at city hall beginning at 6 pm.
Featured image shows a concept elevation for Old Conyers Road apartments. First National Land Trust photo.
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