Portman Holdings seeks rezoning for mixed-use development near Brookside Park

During the Alpharetta City Council meeting on April 28, 2025, significant discussions centered around the development plans for a new project adjacent to Brookside Park, highlighting community concerns about parking and public access to the park.

The council reviewed a proposal from Portman Holdings, which included a rezoning request and amendments to the future land use map. A key point of contention was the limited parking available for Brookside Park, which currently has no dedicated public parking spaces. The developer is required to provide a minimum of five shared parking spaces for public use, as stipulated in the zoning conditions. However, council members expressed concerns about whether this would be sufficient for the anticipated visitors to both the park and the proposed amphitheater, which, while open to the public, does not have a specific parking requirement.

Councilman Woodman raised questions about the adequacy of parking for the townhome community being developed, noting that it lacks street parking. The community will have two spaces per unit in garages and limited guest parking, which some council members felt was insufficient for a development of this size. The discussion highlighted the broader implications of parking availability in relation to community amenities, emphasizing the need for accessible public spaces.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the proposed lane diet along Brookside Parkway, which aims to reduce traffic lanes from four to two. This change is part of a larger plan to enhance the area and accommodate future developments, including potential expansions by Georgia State University.

In conclusion, the council's deliberations underscored the importance of ensuring adequate public access and parking for community amenities like Brookside Park and the new amphitheater. As the project moves forward, the council will need to address these concerns to foster a development that serves the needs of the community effectively. The next steps will involve further discussions on the parking conditions and the overall integration of the development with existing infrastructure.