The Grandstand at Foley got to first base with a rezoning request last week at an Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission meeting.
The property in question is at the intersection of Northview Avenue and Pinecrest Drive, across from Foley Field, UGA’s baseball field, and near Barrow Elementary School. Roswell resident Scott Weaver wants the zoning to change from a lower density residential-multifamily classification to slightly higher density RM-2 so that he can build seven townhouses, each with three bedrooms. According to public tax records, Weaver also owns several condominiums in the Rivers Edge complex on West Broad Street.
Just as he had in an email to the Friends of Five Points, Weaver talked to the planning commission about his connection to UGA, his “hundreds” of trips to Athens and his many family members who have graduated from the university. He said he was inspired by Foley Commons, a six-unit condominium complex between Northview and Morton Avenue.
Ed Lane of SPG Planners and Engineers told the commission that Weaver’s proposed development “engages the street.” The current zoning of RM-1 allows for 13 bedrooms instead of 21. Keeping the density as it is now would create “a disjointed pattern” and “a chaotic layout not conducive to ownership,” he said. In addition to seven townhouses, the developers would build a bit of sidewalk on Northview and perhaps a rooftop terrace where homeowners could gather. They would do so with “intent” and “coherence,” Lane said.
Some Five Points residents spoke against the rezoning. Mary Moore said approving “pocket zoning” like this request “is a slippery slope. My concern is where does it end?” O’Farrell Street resident Bob White walks by the site twice a day with his dog and worries that a higher density would mean losing the flavor of the neighborhood. Longtime Milledge Terrace homeowner Hilary Ruston read a letter from another concerned resident not in favor of the request. Marilyn Vickers wondered what effect it would have on Barrow Elementary School.
Planning commission member Sarah Gehring said she favors the project, saying it “is like something people with children would want to live in” and that it represents “the missing middle” because it’s in the walkable neighborhood of Five Points. A 2022 study found that Athens lacks housing choices in between detached single-family homes and massive apartment complexes, such as duplexes and townhouses. But affordability is also a trait of “missing middle” housing, and these townhouses, each with an elevator, would cost an estimated $1.2 million or more.
Planning commissioner Alex Sams was the only commission member to vote against the rezoning request. He suggested Weaver keep the RM-1 zoning “and build what your zoning says you can build. Make it better, build less units.” Rezoning the property would increase the number of bedrooms by 50 percent. “That means a lot,” Sams said.
In addition to allowing 24 bedrooms per acre versus 16, RM-2 zoning also allows for an additional five feet in building height (35 as opposed to 30 in RM-1), shorter setbacks and more lot coverage.
Nearby residents also opposed plans to turn the former Southern Brewing Co. property off Collins Industrial Boulevard into a concrete plant. Applicant Quality Block Co. is seeking a rezoning of the 15-acre parcel from employment-industrial to industrial to move its facility there from its current location on College Avenue. Planning commissioners recommended approval by a 5–2 vote, with supporters noting that the current facility has received no complaints despite being surrounded by residences. The move would also open up the College Avenue land for redevelopment.
The planning commission also recommended approval July 3 for an addition to the Southern Mill development off Oneta Street in Boulevard. The addition consists of a four-story building with 14 condominiums at the site of a former denim factory that now features a hotel, a brewery, restaurants and other businesses.
General Time also submitted a request for changes to the project at a shuttered watch factory off Newton Bridge Road across from Terrapin. According to the developer, the existing industrial structure has been compromised by years of exposure to the elements and should be torn down. The revised plans also call for scaling back retail space and replacing it with office or “flex” commercial space. About 200 apartments as well as warehouse space for Terrapin and online furniture retailer Wayfair have already been completed.
Odds and Ends
Athens Area Habitat for Humanity broke ground last week on the main portion of Micah’s Creek, a 63-home affordable housing development for low-income families, artists, military veterans and college students who were raised in foster care. The first house was actually completed in March—one of several on scattered lots in East Athens—but now work has started on the bulk of the homes, located off Oconee Street near Firefly Trail. Residents with children will be part of a UGA study measuring the effect of home ownership on school performance.
Charlotte-based developer Northwood Ravin has released more information about the development currently under construction at the former Varsity location at the Broad Street-Milledge Avenue intersection, and despite the best efforts of Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Melissa Link, it will be more luxury student apartments. Link pushed through an overlay zoning district in 2019 that placed restrictions on parking and bathrooms—student apartments usually have one bathroom for each bedroom—in hopes of discouraging student housing. According to Northwood Ravin, though, the development, dubbed Magnolia, will include 179 “luxury student housing units” and “best-in-class amenities to foster student success and well-being,” including a pool and putt-putt golf course. It will also feature a grocery store (rumored to be Publix) and 14,000 square feet of other retail. Don’t fret, the old magnolia trees will remain.
Athens-Clarke County is taking public input through Aug. 3 on a Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing injuries and deaths from car crashes and making roads safer for all users. The survey asks residents for their opinions on various types of safety measures, like road diets, protected bike lanes, roundabouts, speed cameras and more, as well as how engineers should prioritize projects (high-injury corridors, near schools, in low-income neighborhoods, etc.). Go to accgov.com/safestreets to take the survey.
In related news, the bike advocacy group People for Bikes released its annual city ratings, and Athens’ bike network scored an abysmal 18 out of 100. That’s 1,942nd out of 2,901 cities nationwide and 44th in Georgia. Athens rated poorly in all areas: bike access to neighborhoods, jobs, schools, recreation, shopping, services and transit. Peer cities identified by People for Bikes include Portland, ME (38); Fayetteville, AR (51); and Somerville, MA (63). All of those cities’ scores have risen over time, too, while Athens’ has languished under 20 since 2018. For more, visit cityratings.peopleforbikes.org.
Candidates are lining up to run for Sen. Bill Cowsert’s seat now that the Athens Republican has entered the race for attorney general. The latest candidate is Michael Broun, a partner at the law firm Cowsert Heath. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the grandson of the late state Sen. Paul Broun Sr. and the nephew of former congressman Paul Broun Jr. Broun joins former state Rep. Doug McKillip, Oconee County businessman Steve Strickland and former Walton County GOP chair Marc McMain on the Republican side. One Democrat, William Gaulden—vice chair of the local party chapter and a candidate for coroner last year—is also in the race. The conservative-leaning District 46 covers Oconee County and parts of Clarke, Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
