Senoia Planning Commission Nov. 18 upheld the concerns of many residents present in recommending denial of a possible annexation and rezoning of 4 acres on Rockaway Road for use as the headquarters for Bogee Development, LLC. Most every seat in the council chambers was taken as residents of adjacent subdivisions came to hear the proceedings. The issue will go to the city council in December.

Bogee Development, LLC co-owners Jason Rogers and Josh Hall asked that the 4 acre tract, currently zoned RC (Rural Conservation) by Coweta County, be considered for OI (Office Institutional) zoning. The property is situated on the east side of Rockaway Road near the Morningside, Heritage Point and Twin Lakes residential developments and borders Senoia on the east, west and south sides.

Speaking at the meeting, Bogee co-owner Jason Rogers said he and partner Josh Hall wanted to relocate their Jackson-headquartered commercial construction business closer to their residences in Fayette County. Rogers said plans included an office building totaling approximately 14,000 square feet that has the look of a large two-story home.

Rogers said the first floor of the building would accommodate the company office while the second floor could be used as meeting space for community events. Rogers said the building, tentatively expected to be constructed of stone and HardiPlank, would be designed purposefully to look like a large home rather than an office building so that it would blend in with nearby residences. The idea for the look of the building came the clubhouse on an area golf course, Rogers said.

Commenting on the daily use of the building, Rogers said the office would employ six or seven staff and would have no trucks, equipment or other storage on the site.

Rogers said future plans tentatively included construction of two 6,000 square-foot office buildings for up to four tenants such as attorneys or dentists.

Represented at the meeting were residents of Twin Lakes, Heritage Point and Morningside subdivisions. Heritage Point representative Don Rehman and Twin Lakes representative Jeff Fisher noted several concerns if the property was zoned to permit the office building project. Perhaps the most resounding of the objections pertained to increased traffic that would be experienced in the area and questions about future office or other non-residential proposals that might be in the offing if the city council were to approve the OI rezoning request.

Rehman and Fisher agreed with Morningside representative Chuck Eichorst that the current use of the property is substantially less than desirable and essentially an eyes sore, though Eichorst did say his subdivision supported the project. Being directly adjacent to the four-acre property, Eichorst said the office building would be a significant visual improvement over its current use, adding his belief that the Bogee development would enhance his neighborhood’s property values.

After discussing the variables of the request and the potential current and future impact along Rockaway Road, commissioners voted 4-1 to recommend denial of the project. Commissioner Cheryl Mullinax cast the opposing vote, citing the belief that the transition to OI zoning on the Bogee proposal would be appropriate, especially due to the aesthetics of the building. Mullinax said community events held on the property would likely be no more than once a month and would not add to the traffic burden that already exists with or without the office building.

The discussion of the proposal will continue in December when the project goes to the city council.

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