Planning commission recommends denial of Madewell Builders' two‑lot rezoning on Milton Avenue over stream‑buffer and stormwater concerns

The Alpharetta Planning Commission on Sept. 4 recommended denial of a rezoning and variance request from Madewell Builders that would have rezoned a 1.34‑acre parcel at 0 Milton Avenue from SU (special use) to R‑12 and subdivided it into two single‑family lots. Staff recommended denial, citing potential negative impacts to a perennial tributary of Faux Killer Creek and downstream properties, and the commission voted to forward that recommendation to City Council for final action on Sept. 22.

City staff presented the application and explained the proposal would create two lots (Lot 1: 0.60 acre with a proposed building footprint of about 7,000 square feet; Lot 2: 0.73 acre with ~5,200 square‑foot footprint). The applicant requested variances to reduce the front building setback from 65 feet to 24 feet, reduce side setbacks from 10 feet to 8 feet, and shrink the perennial stream buffer and impervious setback from 150 feet to 75 feet. Staff said much of the current 150‑foot buffer covers the property and that the applicant proposed to provide a buffer mitigation area equal to two…