Wednesday, December 13, 2000
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Wednesday, December 13, 2000 |
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Commission eyes 111 homes on Lester Road By DAVE
HAMRICK Fayette County commissioners Thursday will deal with several rezoning requests, including developer Dan Stinchcomb's plan for one-acre lots on 153.8 acres on Lester and Old Norton roads. Stinchcomb's request comes to the commission with mixed recommendations. The county Planning Commission has recommended two-acre lots instead of the one-acre lots Stinchcomb is requesting. The Planning Department staff has recommended outright denial of the request. Planning commissioners voted 4-1, with Fred Bowen opposed, to recommend that the County Commission change the property's zoning from A-R (agricultural-residential) to R-72, which allows minimum 2,100-sq. ft. homes on minimum two-acre lots. County commissioners will hear the request Thursday at 7 p.m. at the County Administrative Complex. Stinchcomb is asking for R-50, which allows the same size house on one-acre lots. Andrea Jones of Dillard and Galloway attorneys spoke for Stinchcomb, saying, "It is not economically viable to develop this property at two acres or five acres." Homes in the proposed neighborhood would be in the $250,000 range, she said, adding, "The larger lot zoning is going to promote sprawl." Stinchcomb's plan is for 111 homes, said agent Randy Boyd. Addressing the Planning Commission, Larry Jones, who has 14 acres across the road, argued that the zoning should be left as it is. "I think it would damage my property value to have a subdivision across the road," he said. "Or I'll be back before you gentlemen asking for zoning to do the same thing." Otis Scogin, who lives next to Jones, pointed out that when he moved into the area he was required to have five acres before he could build a house. But Planning Commission member Jim Graw said, "I don't think we can justify keeping it as five acres" because there are nearby subdivisions that are more densely populated. There are higher density neighborhoods in the area, agreed Bowen, "but they're on sewers. You've got city and county," he said. Other rezoning requests on Thursday's agenda include: Ronald Fincher's request to change the zoning of 2.66 acres on Davis Road from A-R to R-70 (minimum 1,500-sq. ft. homes on two acres). Fincher said he wants to build a home for his daughter. The Planning Commission voted 4-1 with Bowen opposed to recommend approval. Neighbor Edwin Carruth spoke in favor of Finch's request. "I believe this nice home will bring credit to our community," he said. But another neighbor, Ralph Justice, was opposed. "We bought with the understanding it was zoned A-R, and we'd like to keep it that way," he said. "If we can't help a man build a house for his daughter on 2.66 acres, I'm disturbed... I'm very disturbed," said commission member Al Gilbert. Bob Lee's request to change the zoning of 18.83 acres on Rivers Road from R-45 (one-acre lots) to R-70 (two-acre lots). Derek McClinton said he wants to buy the land and combine it with a tract next door for a total of 125 acres. He will build 10 homes on the land, including one for himself and one for his parents, with lot sizes ranging from five to 25 acres, he said. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. "I want to commend this gentleman," said Graw, "for taking a very, very difficult piece of property and doing something nice with it." Commission member Bill Beckwith abstained, saying he has a business relationship with property owner Lee. Another rezoning from R-45 to R-70 on Rivers Road. The request covers 5.38 acres and is a "housekeeping" item. The property is part of a larger tract, and the rest of the land is already zoned R-70. Planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval. Starr's Mill LLC's request for commercial and office zoning on 27.6 acres at Redwine Road and Ga. Highway 74. Planning Commission and staff recommend denial (See related story).
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