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Planning commission backs rezoning to R‑25 with buffer, deceleration lane recommendation
Summary
After residents raised traffic, runoff and notice concerns about a proposed 61‑lot subdivision off East Hightower, the Social Circle Planning Commission recommended rezoning the parcels to R‑25 with a 25‑foot undisturbed buffer, a deceleration lane and a recommendation that the mayor and council abandon the stretch of Vine Circle connected to the site.
The Social Circle Planning Commission on July 28 recommended that mayor and council rezone several parcels off East Hightower from agricultural to R‑25 and attach conditions after hearing public concerns about access and infrastructure.
Ashley, the city representative, told commissioners the staff‑recommended concept plan (REZ2026006) shows 61 single‑family lots, roughly 6.69 acres of open space (about 20 percent), and a single entrance on East Hightower. She said runoff at the proposed entrance had been noted by Public Works and would be resolved during plan review by engineers. "There are some concerns about runoff at the proposed entrance, but that will be addressed during the plan review phase," she said.
Neighbors and commenters pushed back on the single access point. Valerie Walhart, who said she lives at 429 East Hightower, cited UDC table 8.2.2.c and argued that developments of 31–150 homes need two ingress/egress points unless a specific exception applies. "If the developer is not willing to install that, I would ask that the site plan be held to the current standards in the UDC and that a second entrance be built," Walhart said.
The applicant said sprinkler systems would be required in homes and that a traffic study had been completed within the prior month. "We did the traffic study. As soon as I applied, I hired this company to do the traffic study," the applicant said, adding that engineering and easements—including any Georgia Power easements—would be handled at the preliminary‑plat and permitting stages.
Commissioners expressed reservations about approving R‑15 given runoff, sight‑line and school capacity concerns, and debated buffer width and traffic measures. Commissioner Michael Davis moved to recommend rezoning to R‑25 with two conditions: a 25‑foot undisturbed natural buffer around adjacent properties and a deceleration lane on East Hightower "to meet the standards necessary." The commission also voted to send a separate recommendation to mayor and council that they consider abandoning the portion of Vine Circle that crosses the four parcels. The motion carried by voice vote; commissioners recorded the action as a recommendation to mayor and council rather than a final zoning decision.
Next steps: the planning commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the mayor and council for a final decision; if rezoned, the developer must submit a preliminary plat, obtain a development permit and a final plat before construction can begin.
