Board approves Town Park student housing settlement with parking, no‑parking and towing stipulations

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved a settlement plan for a revised Town Park student‑housing project on Oct. 21, 2025, in a 3‑2 vote. The application—presented as a settlement to prior denials and subsequent redesigns—was substantially reduced in unit count during review and outreach from earlier concepts, and the developer agreed to a slate of new stipulations to address neighbors’ parking and access concerns.

Park Self, attorney for the applicant, said the project had been reduced repeatedly during review—from earlier concepts above 700–800 bedrooms down to the plan presented to the board at 621 bedrooms—and that the design converts a dated office building site to structured parking with internal amenity decks and controlled access. Self and other project representatives said roof‑top amenity hours would be limited and the development would include private shuttle service and access to nearby transit.

Commissioner Allen and other supporters said the project will help ease parking pressure at Kennesaw State University by offering student‑oriented housing close to campus and transit, and that modern, structured parking reduces surface‑parking sprawl. “This is an opportunity to address student‑housing shortages and reduce traffic by placing people near campus,” a project attorney told the board.

Opponents and an adjacent property owner urged a 1:1 parking ratio, citing spillover street parking and safety concerns. The developer and operator (a major student‑housing firm) said their leases and experience show structured parking is typically leased at far below 100 percent and that overbuilding parking wastes developer and student dollars. To resolve objections the developer agreed to multiple conditions before approval.

Key conditions imposed by the board’s motion include: • Minimum of 559 parking spaces and at least four EV charging stations on site; • No parking on Town Park Drive or the development’s internal access road, with DOT‑compliant no‑parking signage installed at the applicant’s expense; • A pre‑funded $10,000 contribution for maintenance of the private road and HOA obligations for common‑area upkeep; • A towing hotline and signage—and a developer commitment to a 24‑hour towing hotline and enforcement for unauthorized parked vehicles; • Limits on rooftop amenity hours and requirements for a gated, secure building with interior corridors and structured parking; • Final site plan, elevations, and landscape plan to be approved by the district commissioner; and • All other staff comments and stipulations not in conflict to remain in effect.

The measure passed 3‑2 with Commissioners Burrell and Gamble opposed. Supporters said the conditions were sufficient to mitigate neighborhood impacts while meeting county and planning goals for dense, transit‑oriented infill near the university. Opponents said the parking limit and enforcement obligations were not guarantees and that the project creates intensity incompatible with nearby townhomes.

What happens next: Staff will monitor implementation details, DOT will advise on signage and enforcement, and the developer will proceed to final plan review and permitting under the board’s conditions.