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Newnan council approves WP South mixed-use rezoning in 4–2 vote after debate on affordability
Summary
The council approved rezoning of 521–531 Newton Crossing Blvd. to mixed-use for a 281-unit project with commercial space in a 4–2 vote after concerns about affordability were raised by two council members.
The Newnan City Council on June 17 approved a rezoning request from WP South Acquisitions LLC to reclassify 521 and 531 Newton Crossing Boulevard from Community Shopping Center (CCS) to Mixed Use Development (MXD) for a project that would include seven townhomes, 274 multifamily apartments and 7,700 square feet of commercial space.
City staff reported the planning commission recommended denial at its May 13 hearing; staff placed two recommended conditions on any approval: require consistency with submitted application data and require compliance with the city’s tree-preservation and landscape ordinance. The applicant proffered conditions including concurrent permitting for retail and multifamily construction and a 65-foot maximum building height. The project’s apartments were estimated in the meeting text to rent between $1,500 and $2,750 per month.
Council discussion focused on design elements, the retention pond and affordability. Council member Ray DeBose asked whether putting the retention pond underground could provide more surface parking and recreation space; applicant representatives said the pond preserves a balance between retail and residential character. City landscape architect and arborist Mike Furbish said the pond design met city standards. Council member Cynthia Jenkins raised concerns that average incomes in Newnan may not support the project’s rent levels. Council member Jim Thomason said the project is an opportunity despite affordability concerns and indicated the city has grown more toward single-family homes over the past decade.
The council approved placing the planning-commission recommendation into the record and then approved the rezoning in a 4–2 vote; Council members Jenkins and Carrico voted no. The planning-commission recommendation had initially been to deny the rezoning. The transcript records the 4–2 outcome; it does not include a full roll-call tally beyond listing the dissenting members.
