Buford Commission approves multiple rezonings and special-use permits for housing, retail and commercial sites

The Buford City Commission on Jan. 6, 2025 approved a slate of rezonings and special-use permits that will allow new single-family lots, commercial redevelopment and several retail uses subject to design and screening conditions.

At the meeting, commissioners approved rezoning Z-24-35 at 4815 South Lee Street from C-2 to R-100 so the applicant, Matthew Bonadies, can occupy one small home and rent the other. The approval requires the property be platted into two lots, four-sided brick exteriors prior to occupancy, and a wrought-iron fence with columns built to Buford standards.

Commissioners also approved Z-24-36, a 0.048-acre parcel at 813 West Shadburn Avenue to be added to adjacent 55 Rowe Street for two single-family homes. Jimmy Hill, the applicant, told the commission the intent was to increase lot size for single-family development; neighbor Nina Holladay asked to retain an existing rear fence. Conditions include required plats, allowance for the existing rear fence at 873 Shadburn Avenue, a 20-foot setback if the fence is replaced near Rowe Street, and a minimum gross heated floor area of 2,400 square feet for new homes.

Gravel Springs Properties received approval to rezone 2739 South Waterworks Road from R-100 to C-2 for use as a parking area with a future office building; the commission required a minimum 75-foot undisturbed buffer adjacent to residential property, replanting of void areas for screening and other site-plan measures to be reviewed by the Planning Director.

Tipton Development’s request to rezone 2789 South Waterworks Road from C-2 to R-100 to subdivide 1.381 acres into three single-family lots was approved with conditions requiring a minor subdivision plat, variances to reduce lot widths, house-location plans, construction material standards (four sides 80% brick or stone with specified accents), a minimum heated floor area of 3,400 square feet, two-car garages and landscaped front yards.

On special-use permits, the commission approved a Panda Express drive-thru at 4966 Lanier Islands Parkway with conditions that limit the permit to the Panda Express occupancy, require final site and architectural plans substantially similar to the application, and require a cross-access agreement prior to development. Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service received approval for an equipment sales and service facility at 4538 Thompson Mill Road, subject to architectural review for a 22,200-square-foot main building and accessory structures, a wash facility tie-in to sanitary sewer, fencing and a 15-foot enhanced landscape strip along Thompson Mill Road; the commission also required a traffic study and limited outdoor storage to prevent accumulation of junk equipment.

Developer BBC Investment Group was approved for two related special-use permits on Moreno Street to allow six first-floor retail units with up to 12 two-bedroom residential units above; occupancy is restricted to persons 55 and older per O.C.G.A. The approvals require enhanced, historically compatible architectural elevations, a homeowners’ association with covenants approved by the Planning Director, limits on rentals (no more than 50% of units), and other site-plan conditions. A separate special-use permit for an automotive shop at 239 East Moreno Street was also approved with conditions that limit the permit to the current owner and require that repairs be performed inside and customer parking be on asphalt or concrete.

All land-use votes recorded at the meeting passed by recorded tallies (most items Ayes 3, Nays 0) and include specific site, design, buffering and planting conditions to be reviewed and enforced by the Planning Director or City Manager as noted. The actions are intended to balance development objectives with neighborhood compatibility and public safety requirements.

The commission’s approvals also included an amendment to the zoning ordinance allowing staff—rather than the Zoning Board of Appeals—to approve installation of fences and walls in front yards, a procedural change adopted by unanimous vote.

The meeting record shows no public speakers opposing the majority of the applications; a few neighborhood concerns (for example, the fence at 873 Shadburn Avenue) were noted and incorporated into permit conditions.

The commission concluded the agenda’s land-use items and moved to other business.