The Cobb Planning Commission is recommending approval of a senior living project on Ebenezer Road that’s drawn opposition from nearby residents as too dense and traffic-intense.
At a hearing on Tuesday, the board voted 4-0 in favor of a rezoning request by Traton Homes to build 31 detached homes on less than 10 acres on Ebenezer Road, just north of the Sandy Plains Road intersection.
The developer submitted revised plans (read it here) to reduce the development to 31 units, a new site plan, as well as a left-hand turn lane at the proposed entrance on Ebenezer and numerous other stipulations, including a landscape buffer.
Cobb DOT said it prefers left-hand turn lane access from Sandy Plains Road.
Some living in the adjacent Kerry Creek subdivision said the proposed lots are too small, and that the wooded areas they enjoy now in their backyards would be wiped out by multiple new homes.
The Cobb County School District expressed concerns over the development, since those buying homes would qualify for the Cobb senior exemption from school taxes.
After a citizen suggested that the spirit of the tax exemption wasn’t meant to apply to new developments like this one, Kevin Moore, Traton’s attorney, said “tax status should not be a zoning issue.”
Walter Stevens of the nearby Sandy Plains Baptist Church said he supports the request after seeing some of the changes.
Planning Commission chairwoman Judy Williams of Northeast Cobb recused herself “because of relatives.” She did not preside over the case and abstained from voting.
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The Planning Commission also voted 3-1 to recommend approval of a single-family home proposal on Canton Road after originally proposing townhomes.
Smith Douglas Homes is now requesting RA-6 zoning for 39 detached residences, instead of 61 townhomes, on 6.6 acres on Canton Road at Kensington Drive, in the RA-12 category. (here’s a recent stipulation letter and revised site plan).
The revised request has the support of Canton Road Neighbors, a civic association. Surrounding housing is single-family detached.
Garvis Sams, attorney for the developer, said the land has been designated for office and industrial use but that “there’s just not a market” to develop it along those lines.
The only vote against was Galt Porter of South Cobb, who said the revised proposal is still too dense for him to support. Abstaining was Fred Beloin of North Cobb.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners will make final zoning decisions on Dec. 17.
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