Council to continue development public hearing after traffic and utility studies delayed

The Chattahoochee Hills City Council on Feb. 4 agreed to continue a scheduled public hearing on a proposed development after staff and the Planning Commission said key technical materials were not yet complete.

Staff told the council the Planning Commission had paused its review pending receipt of the applicant’s traffic impact study, an engineering calculation of linear feet of sewer and water lines needed to serve the project, and clarification of whether any land outside public right-of-way would need to be purchased. Staff also reported that the applicant’s community meeting on Jan. 28 drew roughly 50 attendees.

Council members and staff said traffic counts should be taken after road construction is finished so the data reflect normal conditions. "We just continue it to the April meeting," a council member said during the work session; staff confirmed the continuation and advised that the continuation would be advertised in accordance with notice requirements. Staff identified the continuation date as April 1 at 6:00 p.m. for the formal hearing and said regular signage and mailed notices would be used.

The council instructed staff to convey public comments to the applicant and recommended the applicant consider a second community meeting to respond to neighbors’ questions about lot counts, fencing and screening plans, and safety around existing quarry cliffs. Staff noted there was community confusion about whether the plan’s "flats" referred to rental apartments or owner-occupied units and said applicants should clarify that distinction in their filings.