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Developer proposes three rental houses; council holds first reading for rezoning
Summary
R4U Ventures presented a request to rezone a parcel for a three-lot single-family residential subdivision with three-bedroom, two-bath rental houses of about 1,200 sq ft; council held a public hearing, the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval, and the ordinance caption was read on first reading.
The Athens City Council on Nov. 10 heard a rezoning request from R4U Ventures to change a parcel at the corner of Palmetto St. and 3rd St. from Agriculture to Single-Family Residential-5 to allow a three-lot subdivision for single-family rental houses.
Planner Ronda Cockerham said the Future Land Use Plan designates the area for Medium Density Residential use. Applicant Michael White, representing R4U Ventures, described the proposed units as three bedrooms, two baths, approximately 1,200 square feet with an attached carport, and said the intent is to provide affordable rental housing. One written response to mailed notices was returned among 13 surrounding property owners contacted.
During the public hearing residents asked about setbacks, house dimensions and potential effects on vegetation and property values. White said the project would clean up the site and provide market-comparable rents; one resident, Bill Burton, asked what rent would be, and White said it would be comparable to the market at the time. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval and the council read the ordinance caption on first reading.
Why it matters: the proposal would create three rental homes in a previously agricultural parcel and raises neighborhood questions about density, setbacks and property appearance. The council advanced the item with a first reading; no final rezoning vote appears in the Nov. 10 transcript.
