The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday rejected a proposal to build an environmentally-friendly subdivision in the Northeast Cobb area after a contentious series of meetings.
The board voted 4-0 to deny a request by Green Community Development, an Atlanta developer, for 13 homes on 7.5 acres of severely sloping terrain off Kinridge Court.
Cobb zoning staff and other agencies recommended denial for density, stormwater runoff and traffic issues. The Cobb Planning Commission recommended denial in July.
Green had initially proposed 16 homes in asking to switch from R-20 to OSC-1 zoning. That’s a category that stands for Open Space Community and includes the designation of additional green space (staff analysis here).
The homes in the proposed Serenesee at Kinridge subdivision were to have rooftop gardens, “greenpaved” parking and other sustainability and LEED features, that the applicant, Christopher Hunt, proclaimed would win awards.
But his combative conduct has been out of the ordinary for Cobb zoning hearings. In making a motion to deny the request, Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said the case was “very contentious, to say the least.”
She didn’t reference Hunt by name but said that comments made to Cobb zoning staff, nearby residents and the East Cobb Civic Association during the process are something “I don’t appreciate or tolerate.”
There was a community meeting about the request that Birrell organized but said she left “when the name-calling began.”
When Hunt raised his hand to respond, she said she wouldn’t be calling on him. He spoke out anyway, and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid admonished him to remain quiet.
During his presentation Tuesday, Hunt complained about a list of recommendations from the ECCA that he claimed were “90 percent false.”
He accused the civic group of providing “misinformation” that he said he wasn’t given an opportunity to rebut.
Hunt said the reduction of homes to 13 constitutes a density less than nearby neighborhoods, and that the proposed buffers around the property are “200 percent” in excess of what the county requires.
“I’m trying to be sustainable,” he pleaded, further blasting the ECCA for its “unethical, sabotaging efforts.”
Hunt asked commissioners to delay the request by another month to respond to the ECCA recommendations.
Jill Flamm of the ECCA also presented a petition signed by 66 neighbors in opposition and said that it’s “unfortunate that the applicant has chosen to conduct himself in this manner during this process.”
She reiterated traffic and stormwater concerns, as did a Kinridge Court resident who noted a previous zoning case on the same land years ago to build only four homes was turned down.
Birrell asked Carl Carver of Cobb Stormwater Management about how runoff would be handled given the topography of the property.
He said that stormwater currently “sheds off in almost all directions,” and to capture runoff from what was proposed likely would require “level separators” that he said “would be difficult on the side of a steep slope.”
Amy Diaz of Cobb DOT said that although the peak traffic estimate would only be 13 vehicles, the daily estimate was 130 vehicles on a slender, privately maintained street on a downward slope.
Commissioner Keli Gambrill was absent from the meeting.
Earlier during the hearing, commissioners approved a motion by Birrell to continue a request to build a gas station and car wash at Trickum Road and Sandy Plains Road.
Southern Gas Partners LLC has substantially revised an application (new site plan here; additional stipulations here) that would cut the 24/7 hours of a convenience store to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and limit traffic access for both roads to right-in, right-out only.
But nearby residents still say there are substantial stormwater runoff issues that haven’t been addressed.
The same developer was granted a continuance for a request to build a car wash across the street on Shallowford Road.
When Birrell asked Bo Patel of Watson Development if that car wash could be substituted for the one proposed for the intersection, her told her the Shallowford Road property included a stream buffer that made development unlikely.
“We need to have more discussions,” she said. “It still needs some work.”
Another zoning case in East Cobb is being continued to the Oct. 4 Cobb Planning Commission hearing. Kenneth B. Clary is seeking rezoning of 13.38 acres at 4701 Post Oak Tritt Road near McPherson Road from R-30 to R-15 for 18 single-family detached homes.
Garvis Sams, the applicant’s attorney, said “there are some remaining issues which are scheduled to be addressed and resolved.”
Related stories
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- Cobb to spend $500K for Unified Development Code consultant
- Shallowford/Trickum convenience store/car wash plans delayed
- Commissioners OK overhaul plans for The Avenue East Cobb
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Muh traffic! Muh stormwater!
Cobb isn’t quite blue enough yet for the sustainable angle to work. You have to find another way to kiss the zoning ring.
“I’m trying to be sustainable,” he pleaded, further blasting the ECCA for its “unethical, sabotaging efforts.”
If he is really trying to be sustainable, don’t build and let nature be. But the awards! And the ensuing tantrum!