Commission approves rezoning to allow residence over storefront at 302 N. Main Street, forwards to council

The Alpharetta Planning Commission on Nov. 6 approved a rezoning request for 302 North Main Street to change the site's zoning from ONI to DTLW in order to permit a residential dwelling unit above ground‑floor office or permitted commercial uses and forwarded the item to City Council for final action on Nov. 17.

Planning staff explained the property comprises about 0.357 acres and contains a two‑story 2,960 square‑foot building originally developed in 1955. Staff note the property is set back roughly 175 feet from North Main Street and that the existing surface parking accommodates the applicant’s current operations; the applicant intends to use seven to nine existing spaces for the proposed reuse. Under downtown rules, the project meets the minimum amenity/open‑space requirements and will follow downtown architectural standards; staff recommended approval subject to eight conditions including storefront panels, parking/landscape requirements, screening, and requirements for enclosed dumpsters should a use require one.

Applicant Lehi Severitt, who identified himself as the owner and said he lives a short walk from the property, told the commission the intent is to put a residential unit on the upper floor for the owners to live in initially; he confirmed the ground floor reuse for a bakery previously required a conditional use and that any future restaurant or taller‑impact commercial activity would need separate conditional‑use review.

Commissioners asked whether the drawing in the packet showed 16 spaces versus the nine the applicant planned to use; staff clarified the applicant has the ability to expand the lot but intends to use the existing spaces. Commissioners also asked about potential site lighting spillover onto rear residences; staff said the code’s spillover limits would apply. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition.

A commissioner moved to approve Z‑25‑12 (Hardy/302 North Main Street) subject to staff conditions; the motion was seconded and carried. The rezoning will be considered by City Council on Nov. 17.

Clarifying details: property area ≈ 0.357 acres; existing building footprint ≈ 2,960 sq ft with parking capacity described in staff report; staff recommended eight conditions addressing architecture, parking, landscape strips, and dumpster enclosures if required.

Speakers quoted: “If they want to put a restaurant now, they would have to go through conditional use,” Kathy Cook said when commissioners asked about future commercial uses. Applicant Lehi Severitt said the top floor is “probably gonna be for themselves to live in. Oh, the owners. Right. Initially, that's the plan.”

Outcome: Motion to approve forwarded to City Council; vote recorded as carried by the Planning Commission (method: show of hands).