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Canton council denies request to lift age restriction at Riverstone Pad I, 4-2
Summary
Council voted to deny a requested amendment that would have removed the senior-age restriction for a previously approved multifamily project in Riverstone's Pad I; council discussion focused on low-income housing tax credits, municipal loan incentive points and housing need for both seniors and families.
The Canton City Council voted 4-2 to deny a request to change conditions on a previously approved master plan amendment and conditional-use permit (CUP) for Pad I of the Riverstone development that would have removed a senior-age restriction.
City planning staff introduced the application, saying the applicant wanted to remove the age restriction and retain the previously approved total of 251 rental units. The applicant also has sought, separately, a letter of support for Georgia's low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program and a possible $500,000 loan commitment to improve competitive scoring for LIHTC — items staff said would be discussed at a later meeting.
Councilmember Tolan, speaking in favor of lifting the age restriction, cited market evidence of strong demand for rental housing. "I implore my fellow members to consider voting in favor of the shift from senior to family tonight ... the result will offer lower-income residents in our city a place to live for the next 30 years," he said.
Opponents and other council members raised concerns about prior commitments and the city's earlier agreement to consider a loan tied to senior, age-restricted housing. Council discussion noted the loan offer that had been discussed previously was framed around an age-restricted senior project and that affordability needs for seniors remain high.
After motion and second to deny the zoning change, council conducted a roll call and the motion carried by a 4-2 margin. The vote means the parcel remains subject to its prior zoning conditions, which limit the development to age-restricted multifamily units rather than family-targeted units tied to LIHTC scoring.
Ending: Council members acknowledged the complexity of balancing senior-specific affordable housing needs against broader affordable-family housing goals and said the matter of LIHTC support and any city loan would be discussed in future meetings.
