Board approves 35‑lot conservation subdivision rezoning and special‑use permit for 238 Elliott Road despite residents' concerns

The Henry County Zoning Advisory Board voted unanimously to approve RZ2603, rezoning approximately 22.02 acres at 238 Elliott Road from RA to R3, and SU2601, a special-use permit for a 35‑lot conservation subdivision. Staff said the proposal meets the updated ULDC conservation-subdivision standards (minimum open-space reservation of 40%, a 100-foot buffer along road frontage and a 50-foot perimeter buffer) and recommended approval with conditions including a required traffic-impact study and maintenance of ingress/egress easements.

Applicant representative Steve Moore said the plan would cluster lots to preserve about 43% of the site as open space, reduce typical R3 lot sizes to 10,890 square feet under the conservation rules, and include stormwater detention designed to capture and treat current overland flows. Multiple residents spoke in opposition, raising concerns about increased traffic on narrow Elliott Road, school capacity pressures, recurring runoff and drainage into adjacent yards, lighting and the proximity of a detention pond; Crystal Wade said the rezoning "increases the number of homes and introduces a level of density that doesn't match what this area was intended to support." After questions and assurances from the applicant and staff about buffers, drainage design and HOA maintenance, a board member moved to approve the rezoning and the special-use permit with the staff conditions and both motions passed unanimously.