Votes by the Tyrone Town Council on July 6 paved the way for a rezoning request this week by Founders Studios to continue with a proposal that would establish up to six televison soundstages on 90 acres along Ga. Highway 74 just north of Jenkins Road.
The council by unanimous vote approved a text amendment allowing an exception to height restrictions for movie/media soundstages in “planned unit development” areas and a text amendment adding movie and media production studios and ancillary businesses as permitted uses in the light industrial (M-1) district.
Above, the Tyrone Town Council includes, from left, Councilwoman Gloria Furr, Councilman Ken Matthews, Mayor Eric Dial, Councilman Ryan Housley and Councilwoman Linda Howard. Photo/Ben Nelms.
Expected to come before the Tyrone Planning Commission on July 13, Founders Studios will ask the the O-I (office-institutional) zoning for the 90-acre tract be rezoned to PCD (planned community development).
Founders Studios representative David Harbin at the June 22 meeting of the Tyrone Planning Commission said the studio has approximately 90 acres under contract.
Harbin said Phase I would include two soundstages designed to cater to the needs of the television production industry. In total, the development could bring up to six soundstages to the property.
“It is the company’s belief that this project will have less of an impact on the environment than the potential uses already approved under the existing zoning,” Harbin said.
Harbin at the commission meeting said uses for the property such as office space would generate a heavier traffic flow than would occur from the television and film industry. The project utilizes an innovative and unique work flow-inspired studio concept that allows production companies to save money, save time and create without limitations, Harbin said.
Harbin said buildings will be visually separated from the roadway using the natural grades on the site and by the installation of berms and landscaping along Hwy. 74.The proposal includes using the existing curb cut on Hwy. 74 North and a truck entrance along Jenkins Road. A traffic study is part of the requirement for the project.
Harbin, a Tyrone resident and one of the partners, said he is joined in the venture by Nathan Dockery, owner of Dockery Group, who grew up in Tyrone and was in Sandy Creek High School’s first graduating class.
