Planning commission backs annexation and rezoning for Putnam Ford addition, approves most variances after cell-tower dispute

The Woodstock Planning Commission on Aug. 7 recommended that the City Council approve the annexation of three Cherokee County parcels and the rezoning of a city parcel on Putnam Ford Drive for a 34‑lot addition to the Summit at Towne Lake subdivision, including partial approval of concurrent variances. The recommendation passed 3–1.

The project covers roughly 11.5 acres on the west side of Putnam Ford Drive and would add single‑family detached houses similar in size and style to the existing Summit neighborhood. Planning staff said the assemblage includes three parcels currently zoned R40 in Cherokee County and one city parcel zoned R3C; the recommendation would rezone the assemblage to the city's R4 district and amend the growth boundary agreement so the parcels become part of Ward 6.

Staff told commissioners the plan shows three access points: a primary connection through the Summit at Towne Lake neighborhood and two access points on Putnam Ford Drive, one aligned with Eagle Glen Drive. The application includes requests for variances affecting stream buffers, a 25‑foot interjurisdictional zoning buffer, and the setback required around an existing 171‑foot cell tower. Staff said six lots would include the 75‑foot impervious stream setback and four would include the 50‑foot undisturbed buffer; a proposed stormwater facility corner lies within the 75‑foot setback.

Staff and the Development Process Committee (DPC) recommended partial approval of variances that would allow grading within the stream buffer and reduce the zoning buffer along Putnam Ford to 10 feet (with landscaping and fencing), while recommending denial of the requested variance to permit residential structures within the cell‑tower setback. Staff reported the county had no objections to amending the growth boundary agreement and supported aligning the northern access with Eagle Glen but recommended denial of a southern Putnam Ford access.

Applicant attorney Parks Huff said the project would connect to the existing HOA and shared amenities and argued the cell‑tower requirement applies to towers, not to building homes near an existing tower. "There is absolutely nothing in this ordinance that says you can't build a home close to an existing cell tower," Huff said, urging commissioners to consider market realities and a closing‑document notification for buyers.

Members of the public were divided. Michelle Barton, president of the Summit at Towne Lake HOA, said the HOA voted unanimously in favor. Resident Ken Waldrop opposed the rezoning, citing loss of low‑density character, privacy, and stormwater impacts and asking that specific lots adjacent to his property be removed or further restricted. Other neighbors raised concerns about traffic on Putnam Ford Drive and the safety of a reduced street buffer.

Commissioners debated staff conditions and whether the cell‑tower setback could legally bar new residences on the parcels. After discussion, a motion to approve the annexation, rezoning and the staff conditions with the buyer‑notification language included passed 3–1; one commissioner recorded opposition specifically to allowing residences within the cell‑tower setback.

The commission's recommendation now moves to the Woodstock City Council, which has final authority over annexation, rezoning and variances.