Planning commission recommends Southwest Glen rezoning with 3-units-per-acre cap

The Mainland Planning Commission on Dec. 2 recommended that Glynn County rezone a 211-acre portion of Parcel 02-01744 at 1572 Buckswamp Road from forest-agricultural to general residential, endorsing a revised sketch plan that calls for 633 single-family homes and a gross density limit of 3 dwelling units per acre.

Christina Wright, senior planner, told commissioners the request (ZM-25-28) aligns with the Southwest Glen character area and that the applicant’s latest sketch reduces the previously proposed 748 units to 633 and raises minimum lot sizes to 8,000 square feet. Wright also noted the Coastal Resources Council’s recommendations emphasizing water-conserving landscaping and careful evaluation of wetlands and traffic.

Applicant representative Wesley Franks said the sketch plan breaks the 211 acres into roughly 116 acres of lots, about 29 acres of right-of-way and approximately 65 acres for ponds and amenities, and that a traffic study would be completed at the preliminary plat stage when lot counts and phasing are defined. Franks explained the difference between gross density (3 units/acre) and net density (3.8 units/acre after excluding rights-of-way and wetlands).

Commission debate focused on housing type and density. One commissioner proposed a condition limiting development to a maximum of 3 dwelling units per acre gross; that motion passed unanimously with a recorded tally of 6–0. No formal public hearing occurred at the meeting because the public hearing was opened and closed at the prior meeting, staff said. The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Glynn County Commission for final action.

Next steps: if the county commission approves the rezoning, the applicant must complete platting and site design reviews (including traffic and stormwater studies) before any construction permits are issued.