Rezoning could mean new apartments in Athens near Super Kroger

Lina Portman2 days ago

3 2 minutes read

Jim Thompson
| Special to the Athens Banner-Herald

The Kroger shopping center at the intersection of U.S. Highway 29 and Georgia Highway 72, already an attractive center for commercial development, is now attracting proposals for residential development.

At its recent meeting, the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the full commission approve both a zoning change and a change in the county's land use map to allow a multifamily residential development on 35 acres on McClung Road, directly across from the Kroger Marketplace.

The zoning change would shift the zoning of the multiple parcels assembled for the project from general commercial, single-family residential and rural to mixed-density residential.

County planning department staff, who prepared a report on the proposal for the planning commission, noted positively that the proposed development would place residents near shopping and employment opportunities, and would also be close to educational opportunities at Athens Technical College.

More: Kroger breaks ground for new store east of Athens. Here's the expected opening date.

A concept plan submitted for the site by W&A Engineering, on behalf of Buford-based Lawrenceville Land Holdings LLC, proposes 12 apartment buildings, arranged along and behind a winding road that runs through the proposed project. According to the concept plan, the buildings would contain a proposed total of 330 apartments in a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. A clubhouse, playground and preserved green space are also proposed for the project.

The rezoning was recommended for approval on the condition that the final project plan include a public road connecting McClung Road to the rear of the area. This road is envisioned as a basis for future public roads in the area.

Planning Commissioner Kristen Morales expressed particular concern about vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area in the face of increasing development.

“I am fascinated by the development of the situation, but we must not let things get out of control and the situation become untenable,” she said.

County commissioners could hear the requested zoning and land use map changes at their July 16 agenda-setting session and could make a final decision at their Aug. 6 voting meeting. Both meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall and both will include opportunities for public comment before any commission decisions.

The development proposal considered by the planning commission on June 27 follows another residential project planned in the Kroger Marketplace area.

Athens Flats, a public-private partnership involving the Athens Federal Housing Authority, will bring nearly 200 apartments, in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, to the intersection of Southwell and Hull roads.

Athens Flats is for people earning 60% or less of the local median income.

Lina Portman

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