June 22, 2005

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Large subdivision proposals tabled for a month in Hoschton
BY KERRI TESTEMENT

With one annexation and rezoning request tabled for a later hearing, the Hoschton Planning Commission opted on Monday to table a second request that depends on approval of the first proposal.
For the first request, Balata Development Corporation, Buford, requested that 69.3 acres at the intersection of Maddox Road and E.G. Barnett Road be annexed and rezoned for a 186-lot subdivision. The applicant is seeking rezoning from A-2 in unincorporated Jackson County to R-4 in Hoschton.
Balata Development Corp.'s request was postponed last month for the planning commission, when a required Development of Regional Impact study wasn't completed.
The Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center, Athens, finished the process on June 2 with a finding that the proposed development is "in the best interest" of the region and state.
On Monday, however, Balata Development Corp. asked the planning commission to table the proposed subdivision for an additional month.
And with no action taken on that request, the move affected another proposed subdivision on Maddox Road that the planning commission was set to offer a recommendation on to the city council.
Ida B. Cook, Cedartown, requested that 42.31 acres on Maddox Road be annexed and rezoned from A-2 in Jackson County to R-4 in Hoschton for a 124-lot subdivision. Blueridge Development, Buford, is the applicant for the request, while Cook is the property owner.
Cook's property is contiguous with the proposed subdivision by Balata Development Corp. Both properties are located a short distance from West Jackson Intermediate School.
"Logically, I'm not sure that we can consider - in making a final decision - your request, if it's contingent upon someone else's request," Hoschton planning commission vice-chairman Jim Jester told Eddie Hughes, a representative for Blueridge Development.
"We've been thrown a little bit of a curve ball," Hughes said in response. Balata Development's request was scheduled to be heard before Blueridge Development's proposal on the planning commission's agenda.
Hughes, however, gave a brief presentation of the proposed subdivision. Plans call for the development to have one-story houses with a minimum of 1,650 square feet and two-story houses with at least 2,000 square feet. House prices will start from $170,000 to the low $200,000s, he said.
The proposed subdivision will surround a 10.3-acre site owned by Randall and Cathey Scott, plans show. Access to that property will be directly through the subdivision.
Maddox Road resident Charles Boyd said while residential growth can't be stopped, he requested that proposed subdivisions have larger lots.
The proposed subdivision on Cook's property will have a gross density of 2.93 houses per an acre.
"A lot of people moved out here to have low-density houses," Boyd said. He added that traffic will continue to get worse on Maddox Road.
Jester said density, and water and sewer issues were among some of the concerns of the planning commission for the proposed development.
"There are some questions that cannot be answered tonight," he said.
Jester asked how sewer will be available for the site. Hughes said an adjacent property owner is making plans to develop his land with Hoschton sewer service, which will connect to project.
Cook's property is located near the Braselton town limits, where sewer service may also be available. No plans have been submitted for annexation into Braselton, although it remains a possibility, should Hoschton officials deny the annexation and rezoning request.
Hoschton planning commission member W.H. Sell said Monday that he will abstain from voting on Cook's request because he lives near her property and she is a distant relative.
Hoschton planning consultant Don McFarland had recommended that the proposed subdivisions by Balata Development Corp. and Blueridge Development on Cook's property be denied.
The Hoschton Planning Commission's next meeting will be Monday, July 18, at 7 p.m., at city hall.

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