Commission forwards rezoning for 3.57‑acre Marketplace retail site to council with conditions

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted May 27 to forward rezoning application 2026026 to the City Council with revised site conditions, clearing the way for a proposed retail center on Marketplace Boulevard.

Scott, a planning staff member, told the commission the applicant seeks to rezone roughly 3.57 acres from office‑commercial multi‑story to highway business to allow construction of a retail center. He said the application includes variance requests to reduce building setbacks and increase lot coverage, which staff attributed to topography and the presence of state waters on the subject property; staff recommended approval of the rezoning and variances alongside revised conditions and exhibits.

The commission discussed the proposal briefly. One commissioner asked Ricky if he had questions; Ricky said he had none. A commissioner moved to send the rezoning forward with an amendment to condition No. 8 that sets a maximum aggregate building area at approximately 34,221 square feet and a requirement that provided parking comply with City of Cumming standards. The motion was seconded and carried by vote.

The action does not itself approve zoning changes; it forwards the application and the commission’s recommended conditions to the City Council, which must make the final decision. The staff report and revised exhibits were entered into the record; the record shows one resident spoke against the project at the April public hearing, after which applicants revised conditions.

Next steps: the rezoning application will appear on an upcoming City Council agenda for final consideration; the council will consider the staff recommendation, the commission’s recommended conditions, and any public comment presented at that hearing.