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Panel approves buffer encroachment for Hawthorne Reserve lake amenities
Summary
Paulding County's Development Waiver Review Committee unanimously approved a variance allowing Century Communities (via Gaskins & LaCroix) to place a mulched path, slate-chip seating area and canoe rack that will encroach into county stream buffers at Hawthorne Reserve.
The Paulding County Development Waiver Review Committee on March 18 approved a variance allowing Century Communities, represented by Gaskins & LaCroix, to encroach into both the county's 25-foot impervious setback and the undisturbed stream buffer to construct recreational amenities at Hawthorne Reserve (case 20205-2 SBV).
The developer sought permission to disturb 11,313 square feet within the impervious setback for a 6-foot mulched path (with a 2-by-4 edger) and a chipped-slate seating patio, and 569.91 square feet within the undisturbed buffer for a path and canoe rack that provide access to the subdivision's lake. The applicant presented an alternative plan that would avoid disturbance of the undisturbed buffer but would not provide the direct path to the lake.
Danny Blumenthal of Gaskins & LaCroix told the committee the design "minimize[s] environmental impacts while allowing for the creation of valuable recreational amenity" and that the path and canoe rack are intended as pervious features. Blumenthal said the applicant had not yet applied for a separate state stream-buffer variance; he also said the materials would be mulch for paths and slate chips for the seating area rather than concrete.
During public comment, a resident of Brightwater Subdivision raised concerns about runoff and siltation in nearby lakes after storms, saying the lake near her neighborhood had been "the color of Georgia clay" following a hurricane and noting ongoing silt problems. The resident asked whether the developer had conducted an additional environmental study and whether concrete would be used for walkways; the applicant responded that the path would be mulch and the seating area would be slate chip and that county review of erosion, sedimentation and runoff would be required.
Ray Wooten moved to approve the request; Bruce Coyle seconded. The committee approved the variance unanimously (recorded as approved without opposition). County staff and the applicant noted that the proposed disturbance would also require a state stream-buffer variance where applicable and that site work would be subject to county-engineer review and erosion-control requirements.
The committee's approval permits the pervious path, slate-chip seating area and canoe rack described in the application; the file includes an alternative plan that omits undisturbed-buffer disturbance if the county or state determines the more protective plan is required or preferred.
