Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mixed Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves mixed-use MXD rezoning for Newnan Crossing Bypass site despite Planning Commission denial
Summary
The Newnan City Council on June 17 approved rezoning roughly 10.48 acres at 521/531 Newnan Crossing Bypass to MXD for a mixed-use development including 274 apartments, seven townhomes and ground-floor retail, reversing a 7-0 Planning Commission denial.
The Newnan City Council on June 17 voted to rezone approximately 10.48 acres at 521 and 531 Newnan Crossing Bypass from CCS (Community Shopping Center) to MXD (Mixed Use Development) for a proposed development that would include 274 multifamily apartments, seven townhomes and about 7,700 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space.
City staff presented an analysis showing the project met many MXD standards but not all: staff concluded the proposal met six of eight rezoning standards but that the comprehensive plan designated the site as businessoffice. The Planning Commission on May 13 recommended denial by a 7-0 vote. Staff and the applicant discussed tree-preservation concerns and a suggested condition to ensure compliance with the city's tree preservation and landscape ordinance.
Representatives from Wood Partners and the applicant said the project would provide market-rate apartments and detailed plans for an enhanced detention/pond plaza and an 8-foot multi-use trail connection to McIntosh Parkway. Melissa Griffiths of the project team noted a support letter from Piedmont Newnan Hospital that said additional nearby rental housing would assist hospital staff. The applicant proffered conditions including coordinated permits for retail and multifamily construction and a 65-foot maximum building height.
Council discussion focused on school impacts, housing affordability and the project's contribution of housing supply. One councilmember opposed the rezoning, saying many local workers cannot afford high-end apartments and expressing concern about workforce housing; other councilmembers defended the project as adding housing supply and noted data showing a higher share of owner-occupied housing than in past years. The council voted to approve the rezoning with conditions, reversing the Planning Commission recommendation, with a 5-1 vote; one councilmember voted against the rezoning.
Staff emphasized that approval of the rezoning master plan does not relieve the applicant of tree-preservation or other ordinance requirements; detailed site plans, stormwater and tree management reviews will follow during development review.
