Zoning update: More East Cobb Church, Ebenezer Road changes

East Cobb Church rezoning changes — *The latest site plan by North Point Ministries changes the residential mix and reinstates Waterfront Drive access to nearby neighborhoods. For a larger view **click here**.*

As happened in September, North Point Ministries has filed yet another site plan and stipulation letter for its rezoning request for a church/residential/retail complex that goes before the Cobb Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Pulte Homes has done the same with a subdivision proposal on Ebenezer Road that’s also been delayed multiple times.

In a 21-page letter sent to the Cobb Zoning Office on Wednesday, North Point attorney Kevin Moore announced new totals for the controversial residential portion of the proposed development at Johnson Ferry and Shallowford roads, and reintroduced access to nearby neighborhoods via Waterfront Drive that had been removed last month.

In his letter (you can read it here), Moore said the new proposal calls for 63 townhomes and 49 single-family detached homes. At the September commissioners’ hearing (our story here), those figures were 44 and 51 respectively.

The request has switched back to seeking RA-6 rezoning for the residential units after being at RA-5 last month, and a corresponding increase in density, from 4.98 units an acre to 5.37.

The Waterfront Drive access from Johnson Ferry will also connect with the adjacent Waterfront neighborhood, which had been another major point of contention at the September hearing.

Commissioners voted to hold the case due to density and traffic complaints made by nearby residents, as well as the East Cobb Civic Association.

The changes aren’t likely to change the minds of opponents, who’ve said the mixed-use development is too intense for the area.

There are also stormwater issues that would remain uncertain should the application be approved. A federal floodplain study would be done after that, which could affect the number of residential units.

Also complicating the matter is Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid’s recusal from the case, citing a family member who attends another North Point Church, and leaving the decision to her four colleagues.

In the Ebenezer Road case, Pulte Home is keeping its request for 92 homes on nearly 50 acres, but has added a viewshed protection plan to address concerns from nearby residents of major stormwater runoff.

The revised site plan is here; and here is the stipulation letter from Rod Hosack of Taylor English, Pulte’s representative.

As happened in September, the commissioners will hear Tuesday’s cases in two separate sessions.

The North Point case will be the first after the consent agenda (summary here; more details here) in the morning session, which starts at 9 a.m.

The Pulte case will lead off the afternoon session, with an unspecified starting time.

The full agenda can be found here; the zoning hearing will take place in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta).

COVID-19 protocols are being followed, including mandatory masks and a limit on in-person attendance due to social-distancing.

The hearing also will be live-streamed on the county’s website, cable TV channel (Channel 24 on Comcast) and Youtube page. Visit cobbcounty.org/CobbTV for other streaming options.