Sprayberry Crossing rezoning granted continuance Archives

Sprayberry Crossing zoning case

The Cobb Planning Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to grant another continuance to the developer of the proposed redevelopment of the Sprayberry Crossing Shopping Center.

As we noted over the weekend, Atlantic Realty, an apartment developer that first filed for rezoning in September, asked for another continuance last week after the deadline for a delay to be automatic.

The planning commission, whose members are appointed by county commissioners and whose recommendations are advisory, had to take a vote on whether to grant a continuance.

A few people turned out in person and online to speak against the mixed-use project, which has been the subject of vocal community support and opposition.

“Word must have gotten out that the applicant wanted a continuance on this one,” Planning Commission chairman Galt Porter said. “I expected to have a whole lot more here in opposition.”

Deborah Dance, the newly appointing planning board member from District 3, where Sprayberry Crossing is located, moved to grant the delay, but just for one more month.

She said a revised site plan submitted in January (above) hasn’t been fully analyzed by the Cobb zoning staff, which last fall recommended tentative approval of the project.

“My observation is that the applicant has been working in good faith with staff and has been responsive to the concerns that have been presented,” said Dance, a former Cobb County Attorney, who was reading from prepared remarks.

“At present there exists at least one critical issue affecting [transportation] access that’s in the process of being addressed by county staff and with the applicant’s expert.

“This case is not ready for consideration at the present time,” Dance added. “I believe there are good grounds for the continuance, and it’s in the best interests of all concerned that it is continued.”

She said she wanted her motion to be stipulated that “there would be no further continuances.”

Whiile many area residents have wanted the blighted shopping center redeveloped for years, others have opposed the proposed 125 apartments. Sprayberry Crossing also would include 125 senior living apartments, 44 townhomes, 36,000 square feet of retail (mostly for a Lidl grocery store) and 8,000 square feet of office space.

In the latest renderings (above), the height for the residential buildings has been reduced from five to three stories. But a previous site plan included community green space that is not part of the latest version.

Traffic concerns also have been raised, and in particular Cobb DOT is looking at the impact on Sandy Plains Road at Kinjac Drive, what would be the main access point for the development.

Porter said additional information from Cobb DOT about the latest revision “is pretty key to looking at this case. It’s not a minor issue. It’s a major access issue, so I fully agree with a continuance.”

Another major East Cobb rezoning case, involving another proposed mixed-use development, is being continued by the Cobb zoning staff.

That’s North Point Ministries’ application for the East Cobb Church and 125 townhomes at Johnson Ferry Road and Shallowford Road.

Both of those delayed cases will be scheduled to be heard by the Cobb Planning Commission on April 6.