Warner Robins council defers 24-acre rezoning amid traffic and density concerns

The Warner Robins City Council on Monday deferred a rezoning petition from Caleb Properties LLC for a 24.22-acre tract on South Quarter Road after prolonged discussion about traffic, access and potential residential density.

The item, which sought a change from C-2 (general commercial) to R-4 (multifamily residential), drew questions from council members and staff over sight lines, driveway alignment and whether the corridor could safely handle additional multi-family units. City staff said the site abuts the Coldwater Creek apartment community and recommended approval of the rezoning request in principle but noted key design and access details remain unsettled.

City staff said there are two existing access points to the parcel and recommended the primary driveway be realigned to align with the Coldwater Creek driveway; staff also flagged a large power easement traversing the property and said a secondary maintenance driveway may be retained as a gated emergency access. The staff presentation included an illustrative maximum-density calculation: “just a general ... worst case scenario as far as density goes on a 2 to 3 story apartment community, I calculate 288 units at maximum,” the planner said.

Council members pressed on how the added traffic would affect the already congested intersection of South Quarter Road and South Houston Lake Road. Engineering staff and the city’s transportation representative said prior submittals in the corridor included peak-hour counts rather than a full traffic-impact analysis; staff recommended requiring a full traffic study as a condition of any approval and said some roadway widening and future right-of-way reservation would likely be necessary.

After discussion, Councilman Holmes moved to defer the item for at least 30 days to allow staff and the applicant to work through outstanding issues; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

What’s next: The deferral allows the petitioner and city staff to produce a traffic impact study and, if appropriate, a conceptual plan. If the council chooses to act later, staff suggested conditions of zoning could require submission of a site plan and traffic analysis and return to council for approval of those plans.

Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 102; staff presentation and concerns discussed through SEG 1838. Quote sources: city staff (Drinker) and Councilman Holmes.