Barrow County approves Destination 11 townhome design standards

The Barrow County Board of Commissioners approved a text amendment to the Destination 11 overlay district on Tuesday, adding specific design standards for attached housing and townhome developments. Planning staff told the board the amendment requires that "homes with a separate garage shall be required to be at least 2 stories tall," that such homes have rear-entry vehicular access, and that exteriors be constructed with "a 4 sided brick or natural stone exterior treatment." The Planning Commission had recommended approval and no members of the public spoke at the hearing.

After the chair opened and then closed the public hearing with no speakers, a commissioner moved to approve the amendment "as presented," the motion was seconded, and the chair called a voice vote. The board approved the change, which also includes a provision prohibiting staggered issuance of certificates of occupancy for the principal structure and a detached garage. Planning staff said the text change is intended to clarify townhome requirements in section 89-0.2-15-22(b) of the overlay guidelines.