Part of large downtown development includes upscale lofts, parking deck

Macon’s zoning panel unanimously approved the next part of a proposed downtown Macon development on Monday.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a conditional-use application for 743, 753 Plum St. and 552, 586 D.T. Walton Sr. Way to allow a mixed-use development with residential lofts, retail space and a parking garage as part of the project known as Central City Commons. The commission also approved a certificate of appropriateness for the same project.

The developers are Tim Thornton, president of Thornton Realty Co, and Miller Heath III, CEO of MMI Capital LLC, who formed a joint venture for the project.

A Hyatt Place hotel and parking deck at 630-678 Poplar St. that’s part of the same phase was approved by the commission at its June 12 meeting. This portion will be constructed along with the first hotel.

Plans call for construction of a mixed-use building with 87 residential lofts and 12 to 16 commercial spaces, according to the commission’s staff report. A bank is expected to have a drive-thru lane off Plum Street.

B.J. Laterveer with Wakefield Beasley & Associates architects said Monday that the lofts would be upscale, and that an effort was made to design the project “to stay in line” with other downtown Macon architecture.

The developers “are going above and beyond what is typical,” as they plan to install load-bearing metal studs and are “putting together a quality project,” he said.

Miller added that “our intention is to own the building for a long time. ... If it’s made out of wood, within five years you can tell.”

The six-level parking deck would have 427 spaces, and the top level will be covered with a canopy of solar panels. The deck would serve residents of the units, on-site commercial businesses and county employees during the day, the City Auditorium and other special events parking at night and other public parking as space permits. The parking deck would be owned by the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority.

“We’ve worked with the city to build an oversized parking lot,” to provide sufficient parking, and “done what we can to make it cohesive with the neighborhood,” Miller said.

The properties have frontage along the south side of D.T. Walton Sr. Way and the northeast side of Plum Street, which are in a central business zoning district.

The multifamily units will be accessed from an interior courtyard located between the parking deck and the mixed-use building.

The total square footage of construction is 247,000 square feet. Construction is proposed to begin in August with completion in fall 2018.

Phase II of the development would include renovation of the Crescent Building as well as additional multifamily spaces, retail and a boutique hotel, according to a statement presented to the commission by the developers.

Other items on the agenda were:

CONDITIONAL USES:

1474 Riverside Drive: Conditional use to allow car wash and auto detailing at an existing structure, C-2 District. Curlee Cayton; Lyke NU Professional Auto, applicant. Approved.

4590 Columbus Road: Conditional use to allow professional offices in an existing building, PDE District. Meni Levi, applicant. Approved.

3353 Mercer University Drive: Conditional use to allow a Plasma Donation Center, PDE District. Flagship Group Inc., Gordy Germany, applicant. Approved.

3001 Vineville Ave. (A/K/A 3005 Vineville Ave.): Conditional use to allow a church in an existing building, C-2 District. Carlos Smith, applicant. Approved.

5441 Bowman Road: Conditional use to allow a restaurant with drive-thru, PDE District. Terry Phelps, applicant. Approved.

VARIANCES:

5019 Riverside Drive: Variance to allow a billboard sign within the 35-foot building setback, C-2 District. Principle Outdoor LLC, Charlie Gardner, applicant. Approved.

237 Shoreline Way: Variance in setback requirements to allow a single-family dwelling, PDR District. Three Oaks Construction and Development Inc., applicant. The front setback variance was approved, but the side setback variance was deferred.

3672 Jones Road: Variance in required distance between an accessory structure and a dwelling, R-1AAA District. Lynda Leverette, applicant. Approved.

VIOLATIONS:

6056 Bethel Church Road: In violation of the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution and previous judicial decision for operation of an inert landfill, equipment repair, equipment storage, a demolition business, salvage yard, waste container (roll-off/construction dumpster) storage or business, trucking company and other activity related to those uses. Zoned A, Agriculture. Jeff Surles. Found in violation and the matter is referred to the appropriate court.

This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Part of large downtown development includes upscale lofts, parking deck."