Developer seeks rezoning of 3173 Hwy 411 for 177-home subdivision to serve local workforce

Developer Bradley Barnette asked the City of White City Council on May 4 to rezone a Petro Partners parcel at 3173 Hwy 411 from commercial to R4 to make way for a planned subdivision of roughly 177 units, saying the project would include two entrances, a turn lane, landscaping and mostly one- and two-car garage homes of about 1,700–1,800 square feet.

Barnette said the development team expects easier water access from the proposed site and described buyer-assistance measures, including help with closings and down payments targeted at employees of TOYO, which the developer and a supporting speaker said has a demonstrated need for nearby housing.

The request drew questions from council about right-of-way and permitting. Engineer Michael Brooks said the project team had not yet coordinated with the Georgia Department of Transportation and that Bartow County would be responsible for permitting if the plan proceeds. Barnette said a state-owned culvert would likely need rebuilding to accommodate the planned connection and that the subdivision layout shown was conceptual and subject to further design.

Citizen speaker Eddie Billue, speaking in favor of the rezoning and citing a TOYO employee survey that returned 152 responses, urged council approval and recommended that future projects include affordable senior housing. Councilmembers asked whether a shuttle to transport TOYO employees remained under consideration; Billue said a shuttle would be considered if the project included a high percentage of TOYO residents.

Mayor Curtis Powell closed the public-hearing portion of the meeting after the allotted speaking time; the council did not take a rezoning vote at the May 4 meeting. The matter remains pending and may return to a future council meeting for formal action.