First Baptist of Woodstock seeks rezoning, buffer variance in Holly Springs to build 10-unit housing for single mothers

First Baptist of Woodstock asked Holly Springs City officials to rezone roughly 4.71 acres off Hickory Road from GC (General Commercial) to GC with a mixed-use overlay (MXC) and to grant a variance from Holly Springs zoning ordinance Article 9 buffer requirements to allow development features, including a circular drive and a 10-unit multifamily residence intended for single mothers.

Speaker 3, a meeting participant representing the applicant’s plan, said the church would purchase the parcel (listed in the application as Tax Parcel(s) 15A of Tax Plat 15 and 26) and add the MXC overlay to permit a multifamily structure of 10 units. "There’s just mom single moms that need some help to get back on their feet," Speaker 3 said, describing the intended residents. He described shorter-term leases rather than multi-year arrangements and said residents would still pay rent.

Council members and participants reviewed a site plan showing that the proposed building would occupy the current track area. Speaker 3 confirmed, "The track will go away," to make room for the development. The applicant also requested a variance to place a circular drive that would cross the required buffer area to provide a second exit onto Hickory Road while retaining the existing entrance on the opposite side of the parcel.

Staff and members discussed carryover conditions from prior zoning settings, including lighting. Speaker 2 asked whether existing stipulations on lighting would apply after purchase; Speaker 3 replied that those stipulations can be carried forward in zoning approvals, noting the need for dark-sky compliance: "We can carry the stipulations over from the previous setting."

The transcript shows no final action on the rezoning or variance applications during this meeting. Speaker 1 said the group would "be talking to Nancy and talking amongst ourselves, making sure we have enough information so that we can make an intelligent decision at the next public session," indicating staff follow-up and a future public hearing or decision. The meeting ended on a motion to adjourn, taken by voice vote with an affirmative "Aye" recorded and no opposition spoken on the record.

Key details from the discussion: the application references approximately 4.71 acres off Hickory Road; the applicant is First Baptist of Woodstock; the requested zoning change is GC to GC plus MXC; a variance from Article 9 (buffer requirements) was sought to permit a circular drive and to site a multifamily structure of 10 units; the parcel currently includes a daycare and a track that the applicant said would be removed; lighting stipulations from prior approvals were discussed and would be carried forward if imposed by zoning action.

Next steps: the applicant’s rezoning and variance requests were introduced and discussed but not voted on. City staff and the board indicated they will gather additional information and return to a future public session for a formal decision.