Augusta planning panel approves rezoning for fourplex at 2223 Sullivan Road

The Augusta Planning Commission voted Aug. 4 to recommend rezoning a 0.48-acre parcel at 2223 Sullivan Road from A (agriculture) to R-3A (multi‑family residential) so the owner may build a fourplex; the recommendation will be considered by the full Augusta Commission on Sept. 16, 2025.

Staff said the parcel, in the Wilkinson Gardens neighborhood, meets lot width (100 feet) and minimum lot area standards (about 20,800 square feet) but that the conceptual plan submitted shows only six off‑street parking spaces while R‑3A requires roughly 2.25–2.5 spaces per dwelling unit (nine spaces total), meaning a parking variance would be required if the developer does not provide the full complement of spaces.

Todd Kennedy, planning and development services staff, summarized 15 staff findings, including that the site has public potable water and sanitary sewer, is not in a FEMA special flood hazard area, has no mapped wetlands, and lies about 0.28 miles (1,500 feet) from public transit on Milledgeville Road. Kennedy also reported an engineering comment that detention would be required when a site plan is submitted.

Rakita Clemons, the property owner and representative of Home Investment Solutions LLC, told the commission she owns adjacent multifamily units and that the proposed fourplex is intended to blend with the neighborhood and provide affordable housing. Clemons said, “I focus on low income or affordable housing” and that many of her units are rented to families using Section 8 vouchers.

Planning staff recommended denial of the rezoning in their initial memo but also outlined conditions that would apply if the commission approved — including submission of a site plan that demonstrates required parking or, if not, approval of parking variances prior to site plan review; a requirement that design and building materials be compatible with existing single‑family homes in the Wilkinson Gardens neighborhood and approved by the director of planning; compliance with Augusta‑Richmond County site plan and development regulations; and completion of required engineering/detention reviews prior to construction.

Commissioner Cook moved to approve the petition with the stated conditions; the motion was seconded and carried with no recorded opposition. The chair noted the planning commission’s approval is a recommendation and that the full Augusta Commission will consider the rezoning on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. in Room 260 of the Municipal Building.

Next steps: the applicant must submit a detailed site plan and either provide the nine required parking spaces or request and obtain a parking variance during the site‑plan review process. Engineering review and detention design will also be required before permits are issued.