[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6221566,"mediaKeyId","3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b","parentId",3612406,"title","Board approves North Ola mixed-use rezoning for age-restricted community plus commercial space with conditions including 5% rental cap","audioSeconds",690,"startMs",3480000,"endMs",2790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b&start=3480&end=2790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221566/Henry-County/Georgia/Board-approves-North-Ola-mixed-use-rezoning-for-age-restricted-community-plus-commercial-space-with-conditions-including-5-rental-cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221566-e01e86cc6fb9ccafa157f8034f74d439/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394134&Signature=mu1jt2L6DQOfAUFn~AhWvLuDMUFCntAQPJoZiaVFM~Y84I8Is01zbfWfx-MohrZJY--VFogOCPga5qYHeOL6qu2tX338eI0oMvsoKGckg2G71fW9-ElMEEKUgcmhqr~dM~6aNacgcvo24qFcv5Cl304SSYghgUkH-Wojo9dsH1X9Zc65xM1HcBXbOAtrSqMjujdM4WI6~zvUQcx2DOVfLr0aaQ4myIHWgV4Ti~Hv9b8TdzFph8rs3fk7s4DQ-12GsPHgnX0ad4aaFkbRn6XyT~LuoEGbNIp0J8Jw3kNk6NXdh2qbDJHBGqLpVylREFIGNbj-mjNhbAG04BNQ1Ef~sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-29T14:48:38Z","article","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a rezoning and associated conditions for the North Ola project, a mixed-use development along North Ola/State Route 81 that combines an age-restricted residential community and a commercial corridor.

The applicant (Avalon) requested rezoning of approximately 115.08 acres from RA (residential-agricultural) to MU (mixed-use) for the proposed Villages at Ola: an age-restricted (55-plus) residential neighborhood with 234 single-family units and about 37.19 acres reserved for commercial development, including roughly 216,000 square feet of commercial space. The applicant presented revised plans and elevations showing a\u0000farmhouse-inspired architectural approach and extensive on-site amenities: gated entry, walking trails, clubhouse and pool, tennis/pickleball courts, pocket parks and a golf-cart-friendly internal circulation.

Michelle Howell of Avalon and the project architect described multiple changes since an earlier concept, including replacing previously planned single-family and duplex units with a 55-and-over community, expanding the commercial component, and setting minimum heated-floor areas and lot sizes that exceed code minimums. Counsel and the applicant said the housing price point for the 55-plus homes is expected in the mid-$300,000s and up.

County staff and Commissioner Anglin said the project fits the North Ola vision and that the applicants worked with staff and the community on design changes. Staff noted the site falls in the highway corridor overlay district and that improvements to State Route 81 and McDonough Parkway are already planned or underway; Rocky Romero of Henry County DOT explained multi-phase widening projects on SR 81 with different timelines, including a nearer-term phase and a longer federal-design phase that could take several years.

Public commenters both supported and opposed the request. Supporters praised the \u0000farmhouse\u0000 aesthetic and on-site amenities; opponents cited concerns about traffic, school capacity, air and water infrastructure, and the pace of regional growth. Commissioner Anglin emphasized that the proposal had been adjusted to reduce impacts on schools by making the residential portion age-restricted and by adding more commercial acreage to offset trip generation.

The board approved the rezoning and accompanying comprehensive-plan amendments with a set of conditions that included a clarified site-plan date to match materials presented at the meeting and a rental cap. The motion that passed included a rental restriction of 5% for residential units, the change of a referenced plan date to 05/28/2025, and required upgraded exterior materials and other project conditions agreed with staff. Commissioners also asked the developer to consider vinyl alternatives and additional buffering and privacy measures for rear yards; staff and counsel agreed to incorporate those conditions.

What was decided and why: The board found the proposed mixed-use rezoning consistent with the county\u0000\u0000s village/future land-use goals for the corridor after applicant revisions and community engagement. The approval included standard and project-specific conditions intended to increase material quality, limit future conversion to rentals and address neighborhood impacts.

Next steps: The developer will proceed to permitting and site engineering consistent with the approved conditions. County staff will ensure the developer submits final plans that reflect the meeting\u0000\u0000s approved site plan and conditions before building permits are issued.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting | May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved rezoning about 115 acres along North Ola on Wednesday for a mixed-use project that pairs an age-restricted, 234-unit residential community with roughly 216,000 square feet of commercial space, subject to conditions including a 5% rental cap and higher material standards.","taxTitle","Henry County, Georgia","taxId",12817,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6221574,"Henry County adopts $287.8 million FY26 budget; library plea for $125,358 left unresolved",730,1700000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b&start=1700&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b/thumbnail_1700000.jpg","/articles/6221574/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-adopts-2878-million-FY26-budget-library-plea-for-125358-left-unresolved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221574-427d202a2c40cea11219afa7f52bd1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394134&Signature=k6SP~JmtBCBk~lr4sF~eXFk8ah893jLsohGj~XLt5rnUa8707kNg54XmVEV9NnfBrnDhCxIERqbjc-Yo9WGhB6tgSA9iJE7qDgvBgcptrR~FQudFLRJIwhpb4~jCG4wlSX-VL37uiEuYhQ-e53H2qzoYmSUL6F4itsJDTFS-Q0~V6p8MWhCJnQ-tDRbQALM8H4Be-2ygxdEspcnufp-9b9XmnUy5YB8GlrozCie6nRQHPpemJELaJ06y6NGbksiXKFxgfdKsfic7QEmDImnvxdsZ3yDEw-bsRQT~3BSMDvnc33vvY5b433PHAnoh~dYi5NtF7ar7NTFn9SMDmevn2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the fiscal year 2026 general fund and special service district budgets totaling $287,800,000 while keeping the county\u0000\u0000s millage rate at 15.733 mills.

The board adopted the budget after a second public hearing and presentations from Benita Campbell, Henry County budget director, who said the FY26 proposal is 10.8% higher than the FY25 adopted budget and includes funding for a new North Mount Carmel recreation center, support for a newly established Henry County Police Academy, and preparation for two new fire stations planned for FY26 and FY27. Campbell said the proposed budget assumes the current millage rate and recommends 78 new positions, 12 of which are support staff for a fifth state court judge expected to start in January 2026.

The budget presentation listed major line items: $6 million for debt payments, a $3.3 million increase in inmate medical costs and jail personnel, $2 million for additional fire personnel for Stations 17 and 18, $1.8 million for critical-need personnel, $1.5 million for the Department of Transportation, and $1.4 million for personnel and operating costs related to the fifth state court judge.

During the public hearing, Leslie Walton, trustee for the Henry County Library System, asked commissioners to reconsider a decision not to include a requested $125,358 to cover employer health insurance and increased retirement contributions for library employees. Walton told the board that without the additional funds the library will likely cut services, hours, or staff. She said libraries provide services beyond lending books, including computer help for seniors, outreach to unsheltered residents, and summer programs that include eye exams and free glasses for children.

County staff and managers described the library\u0000\u0000s funding mix in response. County Manager Sherry Matthews and budget staff said the county provides $3,100,000 in general fund support to the library in FY25, the state contributes about $475,080 (largely for salaries for state-employed library staff), and the system receives roughly $117,000 a year from building-permit impact fees (impact fees are split among libraries, public safety, and parks and recreation). Staff said the county has previously supplemented library insurance and salary increases and offered to meet with library leadership to review how the $3.1 million general-fund allocation is spent.

Campbell told the board the recommended FY26 budget is $27 million lower than departmental requests, in part because of concerns about federal tariff impacts, pending litigation over impact fees, economic uncertainty and possible grant losses. The budget summary also explained how a portion of an approximately $17.7 million additional 2024 property tax collection (largely tied to a 3-mill increase for fire, police and parks and rec) was allocated last year to capital purchases, contingency fund balance and debt service rather than being formally adopted into ongoing operating budgets.

Several commissioners thanked staff for the budget work and emphasized that the board did not raise the millage rate. Commissioner comments reiterated priorities of roads, parks and public safety and asked staff to accelerate the midyear pay study so that classification and compensation adjustments could be considered earlier in the cycle.

The board\u0000\u0000s vote to adopt the FY26 budgets carried unanimously. The board did not restore the library\u0000\u0000s requested $125,358 at the time of the vote; staff committed to meeting with library leadership promptly and to pursue other avenues, including state lobbying, to help the system cover increased insurance costs.

What the board decided and what comes next: The adopted budget funds the specified additional positions and capital planning noted above. County staff said they will meet with library leaders to review the $3.1 million general-fund allocation and explore options to address the insurance funding gap. The board scheduled routine upcoming meetings and moved into executive session after the regular agenda.

","The Henry County Board of Commissioners adopted a $287.8 million FY26 budget Wednesday while holding the county\u0000\u0000s millage rate at 15.733 mills; library trustees urged the board to restore a $125,358 request to cover employee insurance and retirement costs, but the board did not add that amount.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6221569,"Henry County commissioners deny Stockbridge annexation request for 24.995 acres citing fire-service, land-use concerns",233,1433000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b&start=1433&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3612406-431c337d63ebf81dec0778b87999b93b/thumbnail_1433000.jpg","/articles/6221569/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-commissioners-deny-Stockbridge-annexation-request-for-24995-acres-citing-fire-service-land-use-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221569-8a577d5341d58dd677677339db76750e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394134&Signature=WLdU~ght-4oWm5tUwScui4lyCYnm4dHOl6L9IXdCB6WCxcVF0HA05Lh9ooT9GzBcIoaSRNyZ0lBdeGGVQeWI9tTreYz9lO9C0ip~NlpZp5VOGIArp8SU3kMNlmmNeAbHZyjVe-lxAYUIGu13bXSwCNxzlrLyM4apf62WPF7j3Yhz4lQbGx7l6f-WPN-BhxRxnRMAc5odp8W63tHvwv1MK0H~FUG9sBELXbn4vBgijT7wO7ySnUy4C3EO7fAjfG3Y5mppPNpobI-jAApDfBKMntP9cmPiHc1rsiodFy-DUUX7w3ZJPeLU4szTd00x6tzCdmUm~3Q4kRqbg61wv2wbXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to deny (recorded as an objection) a request by the City of Stockbridge to annex 24.995 acres west of Fupe Drive and north of Geodeco Road and to rezone the property for a proposed multifamily residential project that included a conceptual plan for 321 units.

County staff and the district commissioner presented the request and recommended denial. Staff said the property is currently zoned C-3 (highway commercial) with a county future land-use designation of high-density mixed-use, which anticipates a blend of commercial and residential uses. The City of Stockbridge\u0000\u0000s rezoning request to city high-density residential would limit uses to residential, staff said, and the change would conflict with the county\u0000\u0000s adopted plan.

County reviewers and the district commissioner also raised public-safety concerns. Staff noted that the county provides fire protection to properties inside the county\u0000\u0000s unincorporated areas that lie within incorporated pockets; if the property were annexed the city would approve permits and fire-related approvals that are not shared with the county, potentially leaving county fire responders without access to critical fire-related permit information during emergencies. The district commissioner said annexation and the proposed rezoning would increase the county\u0000\u0000s burden for fire and police services.

Following discussion, a motion was made to deny the annexation request for the stated purposes; the motion carried. The board recorded its objection on the annexation, rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment on the basis that the change would materially alter land use and increase public-safety burdens for the county.

What was decided and why: The board\u0000\u0000s action formally opposes the City of Stockbridge\u0000\u0000s annexation and related land-use changes, citing conflicts with Henry County\u0000\u0000s future land-use designation and concerns about the impact on county fire and police services. The board did not approve annexation, rezoning or plan amendment and took no further action to alter county services at the meeting.

Next steps: The County\u0000\u0000s resolution of objection will be transmitted to the City of Stockbridge and recorded in the county\u0000\u0000s minutes; any further action will depend on the city\u0000\u0000s process and any follow-up negotiations between jurisdictions.

","The board voted to object to a City of Stockbridge annexation and rezoning request for nearly 25 acres planned for a 321-unit multifamily development, citing a change in land use and concerns that annexation would increase demands on county fire and public safety services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves North Ola mixed-use rezoning for age-restricted community plus commercial space with conditions including 5% rental cap

Henry County adopts $287.8 million FY26 budget; library plea for $125,358 left unresolved

Henry County commissioners deny Stockbridge annexation request for 24.995 acres citing fire-service, land-use concerns