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Planning commission recommends approval for 21-home Spalding Drive rezoning despite resident traffic concerns
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Summary
After public comment about traffic, buffering and sewer connections, the Planning Commission voted 3'to—2 to recommend approval of RZ-25-6 (five parcels on Spalding Drive rezoned from RE1 to RD9) with staff conditions that cap Sandy Springs lots at 21 and require onsite stormwater amenities and other access limits.
The Sandy Springs Planning Commission on April 22 recommended approval of a rezoning for five parcels on Spalding Drive that would replace five single-family lots with a 21-home detached subdivision, after hearing neighborhood concerns about traffic, tree clearing and sewer connections.
Staff planner Laquita Williams summarized the application and recommended approval with conditions including locating the subdivision entrance at the Pitts Road/Spalding Drive signalized intersection, installing two above-ground stormwater facilities developed as usable amenity spaces, limiting homes in the Sandy Springs portion to 21 lots, restricting more than three lots in adjacent Dunwoody from accessing Spalding Drive, requiring an average lot size of no less than 10,500 square feet in Sandy Springs, and prohibiting parking of construction vehicles on adjacent public streets.
Applicant counsel Alex Brock of Smith Gambrell Russell said the revised plan reflects substantial community engagement and specifically moved the development's entrance to align with Pitts Road after neighborhood feedback.
During public comment, Whitehall Community representative David Meline said the applicant provided a comprehensive buffer plan and offered HOA responsibility for long'term maintenance of plantings and walls; Rhonda Smith of the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods urged a broader traffic study, saying GDOT counts in the area increased by roughly 2,000 vehicles in recent years. Neighbors also raised concerns about grading, hauling and potential digging into existing neighborhoods for sewer connections; the applicant and Providence Group representatives said the plan now proposes the sewer tie at the proposed Pitts Road entrance but noted final approvals are subject to Fulton County (sewer) and City of Atlanta (water).
Commissioners debated whether HOA maintenance, post-development traffic study commitments and a potential turn lane should be attached as rezoning conditions or handled in permitting. Commissioner Strelovich moved to recommend approval with the staff conditions; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Andy Porter and, after discussion and a recorded close vote, the motion passed with the commission recording the result as 3'to—2. Commissioners and staff said commitments made to residents will be examined during the permitting and LDP (land development permit) processes and that site engineering must meet city standards before construction.
The staff conditions read into the record included six numbered items (entrance location, stormwater facilities to be installed on ground and used as amenity space, 21-home limit in the Sandy Springs portion, limit of up to three additional homes in adjacent Dunwoody connecting to Spalding Drive, an average lot size minimum of 10,500 square feet, and construction vehicle parking restrictions). The Planning Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the mayor and city council for final action.
