Meritage Homes, a national homebuilder, received approval this week for a retail and subdivision project in Stockbridge. The property is located on Campground Road immediately east of Georgia 42.
Campground Road Retail and Subdivision
Meritage Homes applied to annex and rezone 48.7 acres for the Campground Road retail and subdivision project. The Stockbridge council approved the request at the February 10 meeting.
The city rezoned the property to planned unit development (PUD). In addition, they assigned it to the medium-density mixed-use category on the city’s future land use map. Previously, the property had a high-density suburban residential designation on the county’s FLUM. The two categories, between Stockbridge and Henry County, have similar density thresholds.
The property is located on Campground Road. It has road frontage on Georgia 42 as well. The applicant set aside 11.5 acres at the intersection for future retail use. They envision neighborhood commercial uses for this location, such as a small grocery store, shops and restaurants. No commercial tenants are confirmed to date. The plan can support up to 80,000 square feet of commercial space.
The applicant, Meritage Homes, has experience building in Stockbridge. They are the builder of Eagles Hill townhomes and Winding Creek subdivision. Both are on Campground Road.
The city planning staff and planning commission recommended approval of the request. The city council voted 4-0 to annex the property, then 3-0-1 on the comp plan and rezoning request. Councilwoman Barber abstained. Councilman Thomas was absent.
About the Homes
(Meritage Homes photo)
The proposed subdivision has 168 homes. This includes 82 townhomes, 15 single-family "bungalow" units and 71 single-family homes. The project's density is 4.02 units per acre. Expected square footage for each type of unit are as follows:
- Townhomes, 26' wide compared to a conventional 20' wide townhome, with 1,700-2,100 square feet,
- Bungalows 2,400 +/- sq ft, and
- Single-family homes 2,400-3,300 sq ft, up to 4,000 square feet with a basement.
There will also be an amenities area for the subdivision. The area will include a pool, clubhouse and possibly sports courts, such as pickleball. Estimated price points are mid-$300 thousands to $500 thousands.
The original site plan had all-residential uses. It was a 243-unit subdivision. Meritage revised their site plan to reduce the number of units and add retail space following meetings with city officials.
Zoning Conditions
Zoning conditions include the following:
- The bungalows shall be three-side brick. There can be flexibility in the front facade for stone or a similar accent material. The side exteriors of townhomes visible from the external roads shall be brick.
- The developer / owner shall install a 10' wide sidewalk on external public road frontage, and a 8' wide sidewalk on internal streets.
- Buildings facing Campground Road shall be three-side brick.
- There is a 10% rental cap.
- No event centers nor gas stations, unless the gas station is associated with a larger grocery store development, are allowed.
Featured image shows exterior renderings for the homes. Meritage Homes photos.
