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Chattahoochee Hills council extends development moratorium 30 days amid calls for stronger developer oversight
Summary
Council extended a 90‑day moratorium for 30 days after residents urged stricter developer requirements and clearer processes; speakers cited unresolved rezoning questions for a proposed Rico Road hamlet and recommended certified surveys, independent studies and expanded notice.
The Chattahoochee Hills City Council on March 4 voted unanimously to extend a 90‑day moratorium on certain development approvals for an additional 30 days, following public comments urging tighter procedures and greater developer accountability.
Residents and community members used the public‑comment period and staff updates to press the council to strengthen process safeguards before major rezoning moves forward. Danean Crawford recounted problems dating to 2019 and urged the council to require certified land surveys, water and sewer agreements and developers’ financial disclosures as part of future applications. "Now is the time of this council to extend this moratorium so that you can be the change; implement rigorous due process to protect the city and the citizens of Chattahoochee Hills," Crawford said.
Why it matters: Community members said procedural gaps have left neighborhoods with unfulfilled promises and unclear notice. Mitchell Wolff urged a set of reforms — standardized checklists, expanded notification for adjacent neighbors, developer meeting notes and applicant‑funded independent studies for hamlet or village proposals — and cited what he described as the city’s healthy reserves as a reason the council could consider one‑time costs for independent analyses.
What residents asked for and what council acted on: Multiple speakers said they want mandatory documentation and better city oversight. David Robinson asked that the Rico Investments LLC rezoning application for a Hamlet on Rico Road provide more substantive developer representation at community meetings (developer, planner/engineer, and counsel) so neighbors can get clear answers before planning commission hearings. Resident Tiffanie Towns asked the city to keep quality‑of‑life priorities in mind for any development in the far‑north part of the city, calling for sidewalks and localized services.
Council response and outcome: After hearing public comment and staff updates that noted pending traffic studies for several hamlet rezoning proposals, Councilmember Camille Lowe moved to extend the existing moratorium 30 days; Councilmembers Rodney Peek and Richard Schmidt seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The council did not adopt additional developer documentation requirements during the March 4 meeting; councilmembers and staff discussed using the moratorium period to review and potentially strengthen procedures ahead of future applications.
Context: Community Development Director Mike Morton had earlier told the council that several major rezoning proposals are in process, including an 8,000‑acre mixed‑use hamlet in the DRI pipeline and a separate Rico Road hamlet application that is delayed while a traffic study is completed. Morton said public hearings on some items are unlikely until studies are finished; Serenbe submitted a rezoning traffic study tied to a prior condition and staff provided copies to council.
What’s next: The moratorium extension gives staff and council additional time to review procedural changes and for applicants to complete required studies. Planning Commission and city council public hearings for affected rezoning requests will be scheduled after outstanding traffic and technical studies are received and reviewed.
