Lennar Corporation, a national homebuilder, can move forward with a new townhomes development off Hudson Bridge Drive in Stockbridge. The twenty-acre property is within walking distance of the Hudson Bridge Walmart and shops. Various developers have attempted since 2019 to rezone the site.
Hudson Bridge Drive Townhomes
Lennar Georgia, LLC, submitted a rezoning request for the twenty acres in question. They applied to rezone the land from C-2 (General Commercial) to MFR (Multiple Family Residential). Lennar submitted its rezoning request in April 2024. The Stockbridge Planning Commission considered it in August. Finally, the Stockbridge council heard the request on October 14.
The property is off Hudson Bridge Drive. It is located west of the Walmart shopping center. The site is also north of QuikTrip, Taco Bell and J&J Liquor Store. Road access will be via a continuation of the road next to Taco Bell. There’s a northern access point as well, through the adjacent Oakwood Manor subdivision.
The applicant’s original request had 140 townhomes. They proposed 101 one-car garage units and 39 two-car garage units. In response to the city council’s request, Lennar removed all one-car units. Instead, each townhome will have a two-car garage. This also brought the total number of units down to 127.
The townhomes have an estimated price point of the high $300 thousands to low $400 thousands, according to the applicant’s representative. The building exteriors consist of a brick front, and six-foot tall brick water table on the sides. Townhomes visible from the public right of way will have an all-brick side exterior. Their square footage will start at 1,800 square feet. Site amenities include a pool, clubhouse, playground and two pocket parks.
The Stockbridge council unanimously approved the rezoning request. Councilwoman Barber was absent from the October 14 meeting. In addition, the council approved two variance requests: to reduce the front yard setback to 30’, and the side yard setback to 10’. Finally, the city approved amending the comp plan from medium-density mixed-use to medium-density residential.
Students who reside in the future development will attend Pate’s Creek Elementary, Dutchtown Middle and Dutchtown High Schools.
Zoning History
The 20-acre site was part of the original Walmart shopping center. The city annexed the subject property in 2002, and the Walmart shopping center completed a development agreement in 2003. At the time, the plan envisioned residential use for the property.
In 2019, TPA Residential sought a rezoning request for the subject property. They proposed 118 townhomes and some commercial space. The developer withdrew this request before the city council could vote on it. TPA Residential submitted another request in 2020 proposing 147 townhomes and no retail space. The city council denied this request in October 2020.
Fast-forward to 2022, Carter Acquisitions proposed a 330-unit apartment complex. This case was scheduled for the January 2023 city planning commission meeting. The developer postponed the request before the city board considered it. They would later withdraw it.
Featured image shows a map showing the Hudson Bridge Drive townhomes. Clayton Carte / MHF News map created with Datawrapper.
