Council previews multiple land‑use items: senior housing rezoning, Malone’s Automotive annexation, and Marietta Reserve revisions

City planning staff previewed several land‑use items scheduled for committee or upcoming public hearings.

Prestwick/Marietta Housing Authority: Planning staff (Speaker 15) said Prestwick Land Holdings and Prestwick Development, in partnership with the Marietta Housing Authority, will seek rezoning for 890 Canton Road (currently heavy industrial) to a residential high‑rise site for a 68‑unit, age‑restricted (55+) senior complex. The applicant will request three variances — reduced front setback, reduced parking minimum, and adjusted building height — and will present at the planning commission meeting on Wednesday.

Malone’s Automotive: Staff summarized Malone's Automotive’s request to annex a Cobb County parcel and rezone it for an auto repair shop supporting an adjacent auto sales complex; the application includes five variances (buffer reduction, increase in impervious surface, reduced landscaping, and disturbance within a buffer). The item was previously tabled and will return to the April council meeting.

Marietta Reserve detailed plan: Staff noted a revised detailed plan for Marietta Reserve that increases building size and reduces spacing between homes (minimum separation discussed moving from 10 ft to 6 ft between units). Several councilmembers said that change warrants a public hearing and additional public notice; staff said the committee recommendation had been to refer the item back to development services for public hearing advertising.

Next steps: the council will receive the public hearing materials and staff said the items will come back with formal hearing dates and any required memoranda of understanding or stipulation letters.