Planning board recommends rezoning of two Social Circle lots in historic district to allow single-family homes

On June 23, the Social Circle Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of two separate rezoning requests that would change small, nonconforming parcels in the city’s historic core from Residential Medium Density (RMD) to Residential District 15 (R-15).

City planner Cody presented both applications, saying each parcel is nonconforming under the current RMD standards and that R-15 would align better with dimensional requirements and the city’s future land use map. Cody told the board the change would allow single-family detached homes — which RMD does not permit — and that utilities including water, sewer and gas are available at both sites. He noted that because each lot sits in the historic district, applicants must first receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) before applying for building permits. “Rezoning it to R-15 … would be more in line with what the dimensional requirements are,” Cody said, recommending approval of both requests.

The first application, tax parcel SC-140097 (0 North Dogwood Avenue), was presented as a request to permit construction of a single-family detached dwelling on a lot that the staff described as nonconforming for RMD. Brian Stamey, who identified himself as the general contractor for the property owner (Ms. Wilkins), told the board he would have a surveyor prepare a site plan and expected to show a minimum floor area he stated as 1,650 square feet when applying for permits. Stamey said the owner planned to proceed with permitting if the rezone was approved.

During discussion the board asked about ownership and the packet; staff said the owner listed in the application packet is T&D Welton's Properties LLC and that a speaker stated the purchaser’s closing was scheduled for the day after the next meeting. A motion to recommend rezoning SC-140097 to R-15 was made, seconded and approved unanimously.

The second request, tax parcel SC-150118 (337 Jones Drive), drew similar testimony. Cody reiterated that the lot is nonconforming as zoned and that R-15 better matches the property’s intended use as a single-family detached dwelling. The applicant reiterated plans to build an affordable, well-built home that fits the neighborhood character.

A board member raised a question about runoff and drainage at the Jones Drive site. Cody said internal review by city departments noted the street department would require a driveway culvert of a specified size to address drainage; he added that the recommendation was not viewed as a major barrier but would be part of the site preparation and permitting process. The board then moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recommend rezoning SC-150118 to R-15.

Cody told the board that the July 28 meeting will include three cases: two text amendments and a proposed subdivision off East Hightower and Bond Circle. Applicants for the two rezones said they would proceed with required surveys, site plans and historic-design review before submitting full permit applications. The board adjourned following the announcements.

What happens next: The applicants will need to obtain any required historic-design approvals and complete permitting processes before building; the meeting record shows the board’s action as a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Board. The applications’ packet listed T&D Welton's Properties LLC as the owner for one application; in the hearing a speaker identified a purchaser as “Chev A D” (as spoken in the transcript).