Before the Fayetteville City Council meeting started Thursday, the lone zoning item on the agenda received a new twist.
Jeff Landrum wanted to build the 26 detached homes on six acres of land at 740 East Ga. Highway 54. The land is currently zoned R-22 and Landrum wants the property rezoned to R-THC (Residential Townhouse-condominimum.)
In March 2016, the Planning Commission discussed the proposal and approved it, and staff also went along with the plan, adding a few conditions.
But Thursday night, Director of Community Development Jahnee Prince told former Senoia City Manager Richard Ferry, who represented Landrum, that city planning staff could no longer go along with the request.
Prince’s rationale was the new comprehensive plan and future land use map now call for that area to be medium density residential, instead of neighborhood mixed use. The comprehensive plan has not been officially approved and has been sent to the state for its approval.
She told the City Council she could accept the new R-15 designation and allow between 16 and 26 homes on the site.
Ferry explained the staff’s original recommendation had come under the current plan, and wanted to be considered for approval under the plan of record during Thursday’s meeting.
City Councilman Jim Williams immediately dismissed the plan.
“This is not what we want in Fayetteville,” he said.
Mayor Ed Johnson emphasized that a resident does have a right to develop his property, and he could see 20 homes in that space.
Ferry pledged to go back and work with the developer and see what is economically feasible for the land.
