Buford commission approves rezoning for 27-home subdivision with strict design and rental limits

The Buford City Commission on Oct. 6 approved rezoning case Z-25-23 to allow a 27-single-family-home development on a 19.435-acre parcel on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The vote was 3-0.

Robert D. Cheeley, the applicant, told the commission the project would include 27 homes, "historic style" architecture, and that most lots would be basement lots with approximately four to six slab homes. Cheeley said, "we will provide three-car garages on the lots that will work given the footprint of the lot is narrow." Commissioner Bradley W. Weeks had pushed for larger homes and more garage capacity during the hearing.

The commission approved the rezoning with multiple conditions intended to shape lot layout, design and long-term maintenance: a minimum heated floor area of 3,400 square feet (exclusive of garages and basements); 80% basement lots and 20% slabs; 35% of homes with three-car garages; homes constructed with four sides of brick or stone with accent materials limited to 40% of elevations; minimum 18-foot driveways; sodded front and side yards with two ornamental trees per lot; mandatory homeowners association with lawn maintenance covenants; and a maximum of 10% of homes available for rent at any one time. The approval included standard plan-and-plat and residential drainage requirements and reiterated that the zoning approval did not grant variances from city code.

The conditions were read into the record by staff and attached to the rezoning approval. No one spoke in opposition during the public hearing. The approval advances the project toward subdivision plan submittal under the City of Buford Development Regulations.