A developer looking to construct townhomes near the Atlanta Speedway Airport saw their request denied in June. The board tabled a second request across the street submitted by the same group.
The proposed townhome development was at US Highway 19 / 41 and Little Road. It is part of several proposed projects in the immediate vicinity.
Little Road Townhomes
The Revive Land Group, LLC of Atlanta had requested to rezone nineteen acres at the southwest corner of US 19 / 41 and Little Road. They proposed a 93-unit townhome development under the RM (multifamily housing) zoning district. Some aspects about the project were the following:
- each townhome would have a two-car garage,
- community amenities would include pocket parks, green space and an amenities area, and
- vehicle access was to be a full-access driveway off Little Road as well as a right-in / right-out access point off US Highway 19 / 41.
The board of commissioners considered the request at their June 25 meeting. Board members were particularly interested in the property’s proximity to the Atlanta Speedway Airport. The county-owned airport is to the southwest of the subject property.
A small portion of the property falls within the runway’s future runway protection zone. The future RPZ takes into account a planned extension to the runway. The RPZ is shown in the red outline on the above diagram. The developer did not propose to place any townhomes within the RPZ. Instead, they had proposed a detention pond in this location.
In addition, the development, if approved, would prevent any further runway lengthening in the future. There are no current plans for a second expansion to the runway according to county staff; however, the county commissioners expressed interest in at least preserving that possibility. There could be an alternative option to lengthen the runway off its southwest end. Runway extension projects then allow larger aircraft to land at the airport.
Public Hearing
Neighbors to the subject property, Mr. Thomas Bonell and Mrs. Debbie Little Bonnell, spoke in opposition during the public hearing. They shared concerns about Little Road being a narrow two-lane road. They also expressed support to see commercial development on the property instead. The neighbors based this preference due to the proximity to Atlanta Motor Speedway, and whether AMS will ever achieve its goal to build a casino and entertainment district. If so, the neighbors believe there will be a need for nearby retail and restaurant space.
Board Decision
District 5 Commissioner Lewis, who represents the district where the property is located, made a motion to approve the rezoning request. His motion died however due to a lack of a second. Then, District 1 Commissioner Wilson made a motion to deny the request. This motion passed 5-1; Lewis opposed.
US 19 / 41 at Franklin Rivers Road
Next, county commissioners considered a second rezoning request by The Revive Land Group. The second request was for 24 acres. The land is at the northeast corner of US Highway 19 / 41 and Franklin Rivers Road. This is diagonal from the first property.
The rezoning request is similarly for a townhome development. It has 145 units. Following the board’s denial on the first project, Commissioner Lewis made a motion to table the second project. This motion passed 4-1-1; Commissioner Wilson opposed and Chair Harrell abstained. The board will reconsider this request at its September 17 meeting.
Earlier this year, the county approved a townhome development on the southeast corner of US 19 / 41 and Franklin Rivers Road. That project plans to build 58 townhomes on 12 acres.
Finally, there’s a fourth pending request for the northwest corner. This latest project is proposing 325 homes on 80 acres. It proposes a mixture of single-family homes and townhomes. The zoning advisory board considered the request in May 2024. The board of commissioners must consider it at an upcoming meeting. That date has not yet been announced.
Featured image shows townhome elevations. The Revive Land Group LLC photo.
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