Zoning board approves apartment complexes in north Bibb County

Plans for two apartment developments about a mile apart in north Bibb County were approved Monday by Macon’s zoning commission.

Combined, the proposed projects would create more than 450 apartments units.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission agreed to rezone 6500 Zebulon Road from an agricultural district to a planned development extraordinary district. The project would be built on a wooded 10.5-acre site west of Interstate 475.

The project, which includes residential and commercial uses, would total 6,000 square feet and have 443 parking spaces. It also would include one driveway from Zebulon Road, which is near the entrance to the Lake Wildwood subdivision.

The development would include nine three-story buildings with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments totaling 216 units on 18 acres. Two fast-food restaurants fronting Zebulon Road are proposed on the remaining 2 acres. The complex would include a clubhouse with pool, a park and garage buildings.

The applicant still would need approval of a conditional-use permit for the final site layout, site plan details and final building design.

The commission voted 4-0 to approve the rezoning Monday. Commissioner Ashok Patel abstained from the discussion and from voting because he is the applicant for the development.

The commission also approved a conditional-use permit for an apartment complex on 19.7 acres at 600/700 Lamar Road North, just east of the entrance ramp to Interstate 475 and adjacent to Kohl’s department store and the Plantation Centre shopping center.

The complex, referred to as Macon North Apartments, would consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in 10 three-story buildings, a clubhouse with a pool and a park. The apartment project would be built in two phases, with 96 units built during the first phase and 144 units built during the second phase, totaling 240 units.

Access to the apartments, which would have 360 parking spaces, would be from Lamar Road, the staff report said.

Jon Martin with Southern Pines Plantation Commercial Group, said he wasn’t opposing the project but had some concerns about it.

“It looks like we have an apartment explosion” in Macon, Martin said. He said he would like to see a study to determine if more apartments are needed before the commission approved the developments. However, when asked by Commissioner Jeane Easom if his company would do the survey, Martin didn’t respond.

In December, Southern Pines and Sierra Development Group received approval from the commission to rezone about 25 acres in the 5800 block of Zebulon Road to allow a residential/retail development. However, several neighbors filed legal action against P&Z and the developers, and the matter is not resolved.

Craig Murphey, who spoke in opposition to both apartment projects, said they would add “substantial” traffic in the area and that the infrastructure should be improved first.

Executive Director Jim Thomas said the county’s traffic engineer looked at the developments and signed off on them. Thomas agreed the apartments would create more traffic, “but the capacity is there. Road improvements are based on development,” and not the other way around.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the application for Macon North Apartments.

Other items on the agenda:

Deferred from April 25 agenda:

1620 Bass Road: Variance to allow a second freestanding sign with EGD area exceeding 50 SF, C-4/PDE District. Duke Groover, applicant. Approved.

111 Trojan Trail: Conditional use to allow a telecommunication tower, R-1AAA District. Kiersten Lurer, TowerCom V, LLC, applicant. Approved.

111 Trojan Trail: Variance in telecommunication tower height requirements, R-1AAA District. Kiersten Lurer, TowerCom V, LLC, applicant. Approved.

Conditional uses:

260 Margaret Court: Conditional use to allow the continued use of an existing surface mine/borrow pit, A-Agricultural District. Preston McCallum, applicant. Deferred for 30 days, and the owner was told to cease and desist mining because he does not have a permit.

3401 Ocmulgee East Blvd.: Conditional use to allow a used car dealership and automotive repair shop, PDE District. Curtis Hill, II, applicant. Approved.

1701 Shurling Drive [a/k/a 1715]: Conditional use to allow a nightclub with live entertainment and alcohol consumed on premises, C-1 District. Norma Howard, applicant. Approved.

3031 Vineville Ave.: Conditional use to allow outside display and tire installation and minor auto repair inside, C-2 District. Richard Hernandez, applicant. Approved.

Certificate of appropriateness:

1609 Lawton Ave.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow a screen-porch and attached garage. Charlotte Thomas, applicant. Approved.

1035 Oglethorpe St.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of installation of a fence, HPD-BH District. Susan Knight, applicant. Approved.

2912 Vineville Ave.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of freestanding sign, HR-3 District. Baldwin Design Works Ltd., applicant. Approved.

551 Cherry St.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of signage, CBD-1 District. The Sign Store, applicant. Approved.

983 Park Place: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of removing and replacing new siding, HR-2 District. Mark Chambers, applicant. Approved.

Variances:

1035 Oglethorpe St.: Variance in height requirements to allow a fence, HPD-BH District. Susan Knight, applicant. Approved.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Zoning board approves apartment complexes in north Bibb County."