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Woodstock annexes 36 acres donated for Little River Park and designates it open space
Summary
City council approved annexation and open-space zoning for roughly 36.3 acres north of Little River acquired from Greenprints Alliance to become part of the planned Little River Park; staff said the lot will remain undeveloped and not be used as a public access point.
The City of Woodstock on Aug. 25 voted to annex two parcels totaling about 36.32 acres north of the Little River and rezone them to the city's Open Space (OS) designation for inclusion in Little River Park.
Planner Ms. Ray told council the parcels were acquired from the Greenprints Alliance in May and will be left natural and undeveloped; the smaller parcel at 221 River Run Drive will not become a public entrance. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval, and Cherokee County offered no objection in the record. Council approved the annexation and rezoning 3-0.
Why it matters: The annexation brings the donated acreage into city limits so Woodstock can manage policing, maintenance and long-term management of the park land as it develops the larger Little River Park project. Staff noted detailed park plans and bid documents already exist for primary park facilities and that the annexation reduces ambiguity about jurisdiction and liability for the preserved land.
Details - Parcels: two parcels north of Little River; combined area 36.32 acres (one about 0.5 acre, one about 35.82 acres) - Current zoning (county): R15 and R40 (Cherokee County) - Requested city zoning: OS (Open Space) with a natural preserve character-area designation - Public access: The smaller River Run lot will be left natural and will not serve as a public entrance; staff said maintenance or utility access may remain as-is but no new entrances are planned - Vote: Council approved annexation/rezone 3-0
Voices - Ms. Ray (city staff) said the parcels are part of the city's future Little River Park acreage and re-emphasized the parcels' inclusion will allow the city to provide police authority and manage the property; she noted the park design has already undergone public input.
Next steps The parcels will be incorporated into the city's park development timeline. Staff said the main park entrance and roundabout improvements at Trickham Road will remain the primary access and that the city will not add new public entrances at the River Run lot. The annexation aligns the park acreage with the city's maintenance and liability responsibilities while the Little River Park project continues through construction and grant-funded phases.
