Stonecrest council approves rezoning for 63-townhome Cove Lake development after lengthy public hearing

The Stonecrest City Council voted to rezone 2374 Cove Lake Road from MR-1 to MR-2, clearing the way for a 63-unit townhome development after a contested public hearing on March 23.

Attorney Michelle Battle, representing the applicant, told the council the project honors a 2007 zoning agreement and that the team negotiated with the Cove Lake homeowners association to add concessions including an interior privacy fence, an underground detention system, sidewalks on Cove Lake Road and a pocket park in place of a previously proposed dog park. “We are excited about being able to get started on this project,” Battle said, adding the developer would pursue a traffic-signal warrant study with the Georgia Department of Transportation and would seek a variance if the community prefers an eight-foot fence.

Opposition from neighbors was extensive. Jolita Green, vice president of the Cove Lake HOA, said the board had met with the applicant and supported the plan only after securing concessions; other residents urged the council to reject the rezoning, citing traffic safety, a history of loitering and violent incidents at a nearby Circle K and loss of privacy. “We have a 113 homes…we’re talking 126 more cars on a small stretch of street,” said Marty Garrison, who urged city action to keep residents safe.

Director Cowie explained staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions that include a 50-foot buffer, fencing and other design standards. Council members asked whether the conceptual site plan would be required to match the conditions at the preliminary plat stage; staff said those details would come back for council review.

Councilman Pha moved to approve the rezoning with the stated conditions and the motion was seconded and carried; the clerk recorded the motion as passing 4–0 with 1 member absent. The ordinance to rezone the parcel to MR-2 for up to 63 townhomes, with the listed conditions, was adopted and a preamble was read into the record.

The council’s approval preserves several negotiated concessions the applicant and HOA said they had already agreed, but residents made clear continuing vigilance is expected: multiple callers asked that the city ensure fencing is maintained, monitor traffic mitigation steps and enforce existing conditions against nearby commercial uses that residents said have contributed to crime and quality-of-life issues.

Next steps: staff will work with the applicant to produce the final conceptual site plan and address turnarounds, emergency access, median/acceleration lane requests and fire-safety requirements before the preliminary plat returns to the council for formal approval.