The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a revised zoning request for a single-family senior residential subdivision on Holly Springs Road.
The 5-0 vote came after Commissioner JoAnn Birrell last month asked the developer, Loyd Development Services, to revise the application after some nearby residents objected on density grounds.
Loyd’s attorney, Garvis Sams, submitted a revised application on Jan. 22 and outlined it at Tuesday’s zoning hearing. Instead of 16 homes zoned RSL (Residential Senior Living), the 4.3 acres on Holly Springs, southeast of the Davis Road roundabout, will have 10 homes, making it 2.32 units an acre.
That’s the same density as the adjacent Ashmore subdivision.
The land is zoned R-20 (residential) with two existing homes, and is part of the Margaret A. Keheley Living Trust.
Sams also said the unit size per home of the new division will increase, from around 2,300 square feet to 3,300 square feet. The original homes had been slated for prices ranging from $550,000 to $600,000, and he said those “price points” likely will go up as well.
Earlier this month the Cobb Planning Commission recommended the Keheley land stay at R-20, but the county commissioners deleted that and approved R-15 zoning.
“I think we have a good plan for R-15,” Birrell said. “It’s very appropriate here.”
The only objection on Tuesday came from Charles Sprayberry of the Cobb County School District, which occasionally speaks in opposition to senior-specific zoning since the schools have a senior property tax exemption.
The Cobb Zoning Department staff is continuing another land use issue in that area of East Cobb for the second time.
A proposal by Mt. Bethel Christian Academy to amend an existing land use permit to allow a sports stadium on its high school campus on Post Oak Tritt Road, near Holly Springs, has been slated for the March 19 commissioners’ zoning hearing.
That request has drawn neighborhood opposition.
The commissioners on Tuesday did not hear a residential rezoning case on Paper Mill Road that has been held by the planning commission.
That request, for six homes on Paper Mill at Gateside Place, will be taken up again by the planning board on March 5.
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I think there should be a phased-out approach to school taxes. I agree seniors still benefit from having great schools which helps maintain their property values. Why couldn’t we have a reduction each year after 62 until seniors pay as little as 1% of the school tax? It’s easy math and every little bit helps.
Why should seniors not pay school tax on a $500K+ home? Everyone gets to benefit from good schools. All you have to be is 62, move here, buy a 500K home and not pay school tax? But if you’re 45 and have no kids and buy the same house you pay 3k a year. How does that make sense?
Your question is not the same for everyone . I have lived in Cobb Co for 46 years. I have no children and paid taxes until I was 62. I think is is only fair that I no longer have to pay school tax since my income is now much lower. I do not live in a $500K +home. So was that fair for me to pay taxes for 32 years. I think it was fair and had no problem doing it because I wanted good schools. You can not assume that everyone who is over 62 is moving here so they will not have to pay school taxes. You also have to apply for that exemption, it is not automatic. So yes in my opinion I think it makes sense for you to pay the taxes. When you get older you will appreciate the benefits of being a senior.