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Turnstone seeks MXD rezoning for 378‑unit mixed‑use project; proposes land swap to fund link trail
Summary
Turnstone Group asked council to rezone 63.09 acres to MXD for a three‑pod mixed‑use project with 378 residential units and 40,000 sq ft of commercial. The developer proposed a land swap and to build a pedestrian/bicycle link concurrently with construction (estimated cost $1.5 million); planning commission recommended approval 6–1. The council did not take a final vote.
At a Newman City work session, Turnstone Group presented a rezoning request (RZ2025‑03) for about 63.09 acres at Newnan Crossing Boulevard East and Diplomat Parkway, seeking a change from several existing districts (including CGN, OCR and OI‑2) to MXD (mixed use).
Staff described the plan as three pods with a combined 378 residential units made up of townhomes, single‑family lots (front and rear loaded) and condos, plus about 40,000 square feet of commercial space. The planning commission reviewed the application and voted 6–1 to recommend approval with conditions included in staff’s packet.
Applicant representative Jacqueline Runcrel told council the developer intends to construct a link (pedestrian/bicycle connection) concurrently with Pod A and proposed a land swap where the developer would convey right‑of‑way or construct a connection on a flatter parcel to reduce city construction costs. Runcrel said the developer estimates the link would cost about $1,500,000 while the city parcel proposed for the swap is valued at roughly $700,000, and said the developer would be willing to provide surety bonds or reversion clauses to guarantee construction if the land transfer were staged.
Council members asked for clarifications about the link’s alignment and timing, the effects of holding the city parcel for a future park, impacts on schools and public safety, builder partners and parking configurations. Runcrel said Turnstone intends to partner with homebuilders (she mentioned Pulte as a possible partner and Tomco Construction for commercial work) but that no final contracts were in place. She described design intent as low‑country/small‑town character and said the developer would contribute to public safety needs and construct or fund road improvements required by the DRI/GDOT notice of decision.
The applicant emphasized parking separation for apartments above commercial (dedicated resident parking) and described internal parks, walking trails and flexibility for market‑driven amenities in Pod B. Runcrel said the developer remains open to negotiating detailed agreements with the city about the link connection and the land swap terms.
Planning staff summarized the application, the requested 5% density tolerance and the planning commission’s 6–1 recommendation. No final council vote occurred during the work session; the rezoning will return to the planning commission and council for public hearings and final action.
