The preliminary plat for Williamsburg, Fairburn’s newest proposed subdivision, won approval from the city council Feb. 26 on a 4-2 vote and with the opposition of neighbors taken into account. Though previously approved and in compliance with city ordinances, the council put conditions on the approval that addressed some of neighbors’ concerns.

The council approved seven lots rather than the 10 that had been proposed on the 16.3-acre tract located at the end of Sir Charles Drive. The two-story homes will require a minimum of 2,000 square feet with a minimum of 1,400 square feet of heated space on the first floor. Homes are estimated to range in price from $200,000-250,000.

“To sum up the situation, the developer has presented a preliminary plat that is consistent with the zoning on the property and is consistent of the concept plan that was previously approved,” city administrator Jim Williams said in a Feb. 23 memo to the council. “The preliminary plat meets all the current ordinance requirements for approval. It would be difficult to justify not approving the plat, especially in view of the changes the developer has indicated he wants to make concerning the driveways and alleys he has shown on the plat. However, neighbors are firmly opposed to the proposed 10 lots.”

Williams said that, in the spirit of compromise, city staff recommended several conditions for approval of the preliminary plat. A discussion by the council led to a 4-2 approval of the plan with four conditions. Those included development of only seven lots in the area designated for 10 lots, a minimum of 1,400 square feet on the first floor of the homes, a requirement that 100 percent of the exterior-finish materials be masonry and that at least 25 percent of the exterior-finish materials be brick or stone with the remainder composed of masonry material such as stucco or hardiplank.

At the vote, council members Mario Avery and Scott Vaughan opposed the measure.

Formerly known as Whispering Pines, owner and developer John Proffitt received approval in July 2005 for the concept plat that would place 18 lots on the 16.3-acre tract. Proffitt told planning commission members Feb. 6 that he wanted approval for 10 of the lots. Williams said planning commissioners denied the request based on their general disapproval of the plan, including opposition by neighbors and concerns over lot size and construction quality of the proposed homes.

A Feb. 22 meeting with the developer, neighbors relayed their concerns, Williams said. Their opposition included the proposed lot size, the previously cluster concept and potential construction in what they believed to a floodplain area.

login to post comments