If properties are rezoned, two large developments could be built in north Bibb County
The zoning commission is set to address two rezoning requests Monday that, if approved, could bring two large developments to north Bibb County.
Both items have been on the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission agenda before, but have been deferred.
One proposal is to rezone 25 acres in the 5800 block of Zebulon Road from a single-family residential district to one that would allow a mixed-use development -- with commercial, office and multifamily residential features.
Sierra Development Group and SPP Commercial Group, both locally based companies, want to build a $30 million project on the site called Lofts at Zebulon. Owners of the seven contiguous tracts of residential property that make up the 25-acre site have agreed to sell their property.
The 241-unit, pedestrian-friendly development would include some units with garages and amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, a nearly 3-acre park with walking trails, a fitness center, urban gardens and a Wi-Fi cafe, Jim Daws, president of Sierra Development, has said.
Retail space would be available on the ground floor in one of four, four-story buildings with lofts above. Four outparcels -- lots near Zebulon Road with separate buildings -- are designated for restaurants.
While the project is in the same location where another developer failed to build a shopping center, Daws and Travis Griffith, president of SPP Commercial, say their project is different in several ways. For example, the project would be about 90 percent residential.
Birmingham, Alabama-based developer Blackwater Resources tried to build a retail center with 200,000 to 250,000 square feet of space, including five outparcels. It was expected to be anchored by a grocery store.
And many residents in the area, who adamantly opposed the Blackwater proposal, have mounted opposition again to the current plan. At a recent neighborhood meeting, residents were encouraged to sign petitions, email zoning commissioners and to show up at the meeting.
In another matter, a hearing in November to address a proposal to rezone about 60 acres at 5171 and 5259 Bowman Road from a single-family residential district and a planned development extraordinary district to a planned development residential district was deferred to Monday's meeting, as requested by the applicant's attorney. The rezoning proposed by BMW Developers would allow a multifamily residential development.
The proposed use is "a low-density, high-end multifamily residential development" with 240 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Amenities would include a clubhouse with an exercise facility, an outdoor pool, a pond and walking trails. About 30 garage units also would be available.
A proposed layout shows a 100-foot undisturbed buffer between the apartments and the adjacent Brookfield subdivision and a 200-foot undisturbed buffer along the rear property line.
A traffic impact study conducted by the developer says that the apartment complex would generate about the same traffic as a high-density, single-family development similar to Brookfield.
The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. in th Macon-Bibb County Government Center, Commission Chambers, 700 Poplar St.
Other items on the agenda are:
REZONINGS:
5211 and 5189 Sardis Church Road: Proposal to rezone from A-Agricultural District to M-1, Wholesale and Light Industrial District. The purpose of this rezoning is to bring property into conformity with surrounding properties and add 25 acres to I-75 business Park. Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, applicant.
CONDITIONAL USES:
1655 Wesleyan Drive: Conditional use to allow revision to a previously approved site plan for expansion of an existing assisted living facility, PDR District. Randall Griffin, applicant.
1205 Riverside Drive: Conditional use to allow auto sales, C-2 District. Evie Lester-Brisco, applicant.
385 Coliseum Drive: Conditional use to allow a multimessage billboard with variances, C-2 District. George Greer, applicant.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
277 Pierce Ave.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of exterior modifications, HR-3 District. William Stafford, BTBB Architects, applicant.
685 Arlington Place: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of signage, HR-3 District. Tiquella King Whitby, applicant.
VARIANCES:
4796 Riverside Drive: Variance in parking requirements, C-2 District. Cunningham & Company Engineers Inc., Cleve Cunningham, applicant.
5238 Zebulon Road: Variance in fence design, A-Agricultural District. Matt Ginn, Custom Fence, applicant.
212 Abington Court: Variance in required setbacks to allow a single-family dwelling, PDR District. Terry Holland, applicant.
To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223, or follow her on Twitternote>