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Planning commission denies Century Communities rezoning for Ono Road subdivision
Summary
The City of South Fulton Planning Commission voted to deny a rezoning request from Century Communities that would have converted roughly 119.36 acres on Ono Road from AG‑1 to a Community Unit Plan for 213 single‑family homes after strong neighborhood opposition over density and flood concerns.
The City of South Fulton Planning Commission on April 16 denied a rezoning request from Century Communities to convert about 119.36 acres along Ono Road from AG‑1 (agricultural) to a Community Unit Plan to build 213 new single‑family detached homes.
Neighbors and the property heir pressed the commission during a public hearing, saying the proposal would change a long‑standing rural character and worsen flooding near an existing sewer pump station. The applicant told the commission the project met the city’s gross‑density rules and would preserve wetlands and buffers but ultimately did not persuade commissioners to support the rezoning.
The developer’s representative, Danny Blumenthal of Gaskins & LaCroix, said the proposal “aligns with the comprehensive plan which allows up to 2 units per acre in the rural neighborhood land use area” and that the plan’s gross density calculates to about 1.79 units per acre. Donna Buckner, who said she is “the last remaining heir to the property,” asked the commission to approve the request so her family’s work on the land would be preserved. Opponents detailed local flooding and said the project’s net developable density would be much higher once wetlands and buffers were excluded.
Neighbors pointed to a series of images and on‑the‑ground observations showing seasonal flooding and expressed concern that additional impervious surface would increase runoff toward an on‑site creek and the adjacent Ono Road pump station. Resident Brian O’Donnell said the developer’s plan “doesn’t show you the flood plains” and argued that once constrained areas are excluded the project “is probably closer to about 6 units per developable acre.” Michael Chapy and other neighbors urged the commission to preserve one‑acre lots typical of the area.
Commissioner Keith Perry moved to deny the application, explaining that, while the project met gross‑density calculations, the developable portions would produce an intensity the commissioner said was “far from rural.” The motion to deny carried on a voice vote.
The commission’s action is a recommendation to the City Council, which will consider the application on April 22. The record before the commission notes the case was originally advertised for a March hearing and had been deferred once to April.
