Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan commission recommends rezoning 183 acres owned by Lakewood Park Baptist Church for school and athletic use
Summary
The commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to county commissioners to rezone roughly 183 acres owned by Lakewood Park Baptist Church and School from low‑density residential to institutional, clearing the way for future athletic and recreational expansion.
The DeKalb County Plan Commission on June 17 voted to recommend that the county commissioners approve a zone map amendment to reclassify about 183 acres owned by Lakewood Park Baptist Church and School at 5555 County Road 29 in Auburn from R‑1 low density residential to Institutional.
Staff said roughly 63 acres of the property already carry institutional zoning; the rezoning would consolidate seven parcels under an institutional district to allow existing and planned school and church uses to sit in a single zoning designation. "They have seven parcels in total that they're wanting to rezone to institutional," said Shelby Gearhart, who represented the applicant. Gearhart said the immediate plans include a parking area and tennis courts, with phased additional ball fields and sports facilities anticipated in the long term.
Staff noted the change is consistent with the county's future land use map, that the city of Auburn has indicated it would also accept low‑density residential in this ETJ area, and that nonobjection letters from relevant agencies were in the packet. Commissioners discussed that the rezoning would simply bring the county map into alignment with property ownership and planned school use.
A motion to make a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners (Petition 26‑20) carried by roll call vote with all voting members present voting yes. Staff said the matter will be transmitted to the county commissioners for final action; staff will notify the applicants about the county hearing date.
If county commissioners approve the amendment, future permits for specific athletic improvements will still be required and are expected to be reviewed under the institutional zoning standards.
