Planning commission recommends denial of Ashton Woods R‑15 rezoning for 183 homes after heavy public opposition

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–1 to recommend denial of a request by Ashton Atlanta Residential LLC (Ashton Woods) to rezone roughly 110.75 acres around Kellogg Creek Road and Thompson Farm Lane from AG to R‑15 to permit up to 183 single‑family detached homes.

Staff presentation described the site as within the Southwest Cherokee small‑area plan and noted the property’s access to water and sewer, the presence of a lake and a stream with a 75‑foot stream buffer, and a proposed open‑space package of about 31.5 acres. Staff recommended conditions including public trail or greenway access that would connect to county‑owned property (tax ID 21N05218A) and recording proposed amenity trails as public trail access easements.

Parks Huff, representing the applicant, told commissioners the proposal averages about 1.65 units per acre and includes an amenity package and trail connectivity that could serve the public parkland adjacent to the site. He said the design included a 25‑foot buffer along a road serving a nearby church and that the lake would remain as a focal amenity.

More than a dozen residents spoke in opposition, citing traffic capacity on Kellogg Creek Road and nearby Old Alabama Road and Bells Ferry, concerns about road safety, the proposed lot sizes versus existing adjacent R‑20 and R‑40 neighborhoods, impacts to wildlife and stormwater runoff, and school‑capacity concerns. Speakers urged denial or asked the commission to require lower density such as R‑20 or R‑40. One resident noted that several nearby neighborhoods were built on septic with different lot size rationales and that the proposed R‑15 minimum lot area (1,500 sq ft as presented by staff) is substantially smaller than many adjacent lots.

Commission discussion emphasized concerns about character and the number of lots that would encroach on stream and other buffers; one commissioner said that many of the proposed lots appeared to conflict with required stream setbacks. A motion to recommend denial was made, seconded and carried 7–1.

Because one commissioner recused themself from the case, the record will include that recusal; the recommendation will be transmitted to the County Commission for final action. Staff noted the applicant had conducted community meetings and that the plan retained open space, but commissioners concluded the proposed R‑15 density did not fit the surrounding character and raised traffic and buffering issues.

The applicant may revise the site plan or seek a different density; staff said the commission could consider alternatives in a future hearing.