The mixed-use residential proposal in Fayetteville that would put cottages, townhouses and apartments along Grady Avenue near Ga. Highway 54 was tabled Oct. 3 so the developer can downsize the scope and scale of the project.
A request by Knotty Pine, LLC, to rezone 38 acres on Grady Avenue in Fayetteville for mixed use residential was up for a second reading and potential vote at the City Council meeting on Oct. 3. City Manager Joe Morton at the meeting recommended the item be tabled because the developer wanted to revise the scope and scale of the project.
The revamped proposal presented last month had scaled back the number of apartments, calling for the construction of 276 upscale apartment units, 29 townhomes and 43 detached cottages.
The two concerns expressed by some on the council, and others in the community, dealt with the number of apartments and traffic issues along Grady Avenue.
The Sept. 19 presentation by project representative Spurgeon Richardson scaled back the number of apartments from 300 to 276. Council members at the meeting also heard a proposal that would lessen the traffic impact by adding a third lane on Grady Avenue as it approaches Hwy. 54.
The preliminary plan for the upscale apartments would have them range from 700-785 square feet for a one-bedroom with an anticipated average price of $1,047 per month, 1,000-1,175 square feet for a two-bedroom with an average price of $1,393 and 1,400 square feet for a three-bedroom at $1,510.
Cottages and townhomes are expected to range from 1,500-2,000 square feet and with a price range of $150,000-200,000.
The council was told the $46 million residential development will be designed to cater to people who work in the Fayetteville area but do not currently live here. That target group also includes young working professionals. Richardson said there is sufficient current demand for upscale housing without taking into account the upcoming opening of Pinewood Atlanta Studios in January.
A traffic study performed by Kimley-Horn and presented by company representative Rob Ross at the Sept. 19 meeting noted that the developer had agreed to widen Grady Avenue as it approaches Hwy. 54. Ross said there is sufficient right-of-way to add a third lane so that the left and center lanes could turn left because the majority of the traffic flows west on Hwy. 54.
Another option to help mitigate traffic concerns still in the works would involve purchasing a small section of property to the east that would allow the development to link directly to Hwy. 54 in close proximity to downtown.
