A proposed development along Willow Lane will present to the county zoning board this Thursday, April 10. The applicant / developer, Lennar, is proposing 259 homes and townhomes.
The county previously received a request for 422 units and an apartment complex on the same property in 2022. That request was withdrawn before the county commissioners voted on it.
Willow Lane Development
Lennar, a national homebuilder, is requesting to rezone 54.5 acres. About half of the property has MU (mixed use) zoning from a 2009 approval. The other half has RA zoning. The applicant is now requesting RM (multifamily housing) zoning. The property is located on either side of Willow Lane south of Jonesboro Road.
Lennar is proposing a total of 259 units. This includes 181 townhomes and 78 detached cluster homes. The townhomes and cluster homes have a mix of rear-entry and front-entry units. The townhomes would be on the west side of Willow Lane. Meanwhile, the detached cluster homes would be on the east side.
The project has a net density of 5.98 units per acre. The future land use map supports high-density mixed-use development on the subject property. This category supports 8-20 net units per acre. This means the developer’s proposal is significantly lower than the otherwise supported density for this property.
The homebuilder built the adjacent Fernhurst townhomes. According to their website, two townhomes are presently available priced between $312-316 thousand. Estimated price points for the proposed project are likely similar. Those numbers are typically shared at the zoning board and / or county commissioners’ meeting.
Staff Review & Conditions
Following their review, planning staff are recommending approval of the request. Staff consider several criteria points, such as conformity to the comprehensive plan and consistency with surrounding developments, in their review. Some recommended conditions include the following:
- the developer must donate right of way on Willow Lane for an upcoming road widening project, paid for and part of SPLOST VI,
- there shall be a 30’ landscape buffer around the perimeter of the property excluding the Willow Lane road frontage, and
- community amenities shall include a pool and clubhouse, playground and dog park on both sides of Willow Lane.
The zoning board will consider the request on Thursday, April 10. The applicant will present more details about the proposal. In addition, anyone in the audience may speak for or against the rezoning request. Afterward, the ZAB can recommend approval, approval with conditions, an alternate zoning district, or denial.
The board of commissioners will consider the applicant’s request at a later date. The BOC makes the final decision.
The ZAB meeting agenda and agenda packet are on the county website.
Featured image shows townhomes. Adobe stock photo.
