The May 24 proposal to construct more than 250 apartments along Ga. Highway 54 West near Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville received a 4-0 vote for an unfavorable recommendation by the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission.
Though proposed for PCD (planned community development) zoning, city planning staff recommended against PCD zoning for the 31.56-acre property, suggesting that RMF-15 (multi-family) would be more appropriate for the area. The adjacent acreage fronting Hwy. 54 would best be suited for an office zoning in a separate proposal, staff suggested
“Because of the true intent of this proposed development, which is to provide multi-family housing outside of the city’s downtown district, this project is not the best fit for what the PCD is designed to do,” said city planner Julie Brown. “An unfavorable recommendation for PCD zoning is appropriate and a favorable recommendation for RMF-15 zoning and R-70 zoning to mayor and council is appropriate with the following condition” that the lot be separate into one for residential and the other for road-front office.
Developer Brad Bradford after outlining numerous amenities planned for the development, agreed to re-submit with a RMF-15 proposal, but that did not satisfy commissioners.
Essentially leading the discussion, Chairman Sarah Murphy said the proposal was inconsistent with the future land use plan. The property is currently zoned R-70, or large lot residential.
None on the commission spoke in favor of the proposal, with Commissioner Ken Collins suggesting a development of cluster homes might be more well-suited for the site.
Commissioner Debi Renfroe asked Bradford if he already operated a similar complex in another location. Bradford said he did not, adding that the Fayetteville proposal is a prototype.
The motion and vote for an unfavorable recommendation came on a 4-0 vote. The proposal is expected to be heard by the City Council later this month.
Brown prior to the discussion noted that the property was part of the 2013 West Fayetteville Area Annexation, where more 20 properties were annexed into the city during the development of Pinewood Atlanta Studios.
“Any property without a development plan was given the most comparable zoning to what it had been zoned in the county (R-70 /Single-Family Residential) until a development plan was received, and the zoning could be reviewed for the best future use of the property,” Brown said.
It is noteworthy that the Pinewood Atlanta Studios property, the Pinewood Forrest property and the Georgia Military College property were all zoned R-70 when initially proposed for rezoning.
Regardless of the outcome of the proposal, Fayetteville currently has fewer than 800 total apartments. Apartment complexes are currently experiencing an occupancy rate of more than 98 percent. The 210 Lafayette Square luxury apartments have been approved as have the 600 included in the larger Pinewood Forrest development. Lafayette Square is underway on Ga. Highway 54 and Lafayette Avenue. Pinewood Forrest has yet to break ground.
