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Commission backs Westbrow R2-to-R3 rezoning for Haig Mill subdivision after traffic concerns
Summary
Planning commissioners recommended approval of a request to rezone 36.9 acres along Haig Mill Road from R2 to R3 for a single-family subdivision. Residents objected to a single access point and potential traffic increases; developers said sewer is available and homes would target the low-$300,000 range.
The Dalton-Whitfield-Varnell Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request to change 36.9 acres on Haig Mill Road from R2 to R3 to allow a higher lot density single-family subdivision.
Planning staff told commissioners the property would function as infill within an established single-family area and that the R3 district would "maintain the single family character of this area." Staff noted an expected modest increase in lot density and that some adjacent lots are already nonconforming under R2 size requirements.
Adam Levitt of West Brow Development, representing the petitioner, described plans for roughly 119 lots accessed by a single street from Haig Mill and said home sizes would range from about 1,600 to 2,300 square feet, with starting prices in the low $300,000s. Smith Douglas Homes' Matt Schaller said the builder's plans emphasize two-story customizable homes with two-car garages.
Multiple residents raised safety and traffic concerns. Larry Crowe, who lives on Haig Mill Road, said law-enforcement vehicles have left the road at the same curve and referenced a state patrol recommendation "against any more access roads on Haig Mill Road, especially one right there in that curve." Daniel Padgett and Janet Lovelady also said peak-hour traffic and limited sight distance at the proposed single entrance could threaten safety and school-bus routing.
Planning staff and the developer said the project would require county-engineer and state permits; staff confirmed traffic, sight lines and any required turn lanes will be reviewed during permitting. The petitioner said a turn lane and adherence to state and county requirements are planned. Commissioners raised questions about sewer availability and lot sizes; the developer said sewer connection points would tie into existing systems and that R3 minimum lots would be 7,500 square feet versus 15,000 in R2.
After public comment and discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval. Commissioners emphasized that permit-level reviews (traffic, sight-distance, and county-engineer approvals) would occur before construction.
