Planners approve mixed-use project

Even before dirt starts moving on a proposed commercial site in Braselton, the project’s developers are looking for potential tenants.

John C. Buchanan and John Doug Buchanan, both of Hoschton, plan to develop 30.01 acres on Ga. Hwy. 53 for a project that will include fast food restaurants, family dining, retail space, offices and hotels.
“We want an upscale development there,” John C. Buchanan said.

The Braselton Planning Commission on Monday recommended approval of the request to rezone the property from industrial in Jackson County to general commercial in Braselton. The applicant is also seeking annexation into the town.

The Braselton Town Council will hold a public hearing on the planning commission’s recommendation on Thursday, July 9, at 4 p.m. The council is expected to vote on the proposal on Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

The property is currently zoned for industrial use, but is vacant. The father and son own the land.

John C. Buchanan explained that the site — located between Cycle Nation and RPM Truck and Trailer Sales — is ideal for hotels, family-style diners and fast food restaurants.

“We felt it would be a much better commercial tract than industrial tract,” he said.

Buchanan said the site is being marketed for potential tenants and some have shown an interest in the development.

But developers won’t start construction until at least one of those tenants commits to the project, he said.

“We’re excited about doing this project, even with the economy the way it is,” Buchanan said.

The proposed development is located along Ga. Hwy. 53 — which the Georgia Department of Transportation’s long-term plan calls for the state highway to be widened.

The developers have been working with the DOT for the past four months to get approval on entrances to the project, Buchanan said.

“They are very happy with the design the way it is for use now and for use in the future,” Buchanan said.

But one nearby homeowner said she’d prefer that Braselton officials consider the needs of existing residents before approving the project and similar ones.

Linda Martin — who moved from Gwinnett County to The Vineyard subdivision in Braselton nine years ago — said she wanted town officials to better plan new developments.

She also encouraged town officials to seek “something different” and more unique for the property — such as a bed and breakfast, instead of a hotel.

Buchanan said the developers believed that the mixed-use project will be the “highest and best use” for the property.

“Conveniences follow the rooftops,” he said. “People don’t want to have to go to Hamilton Mill for a drug store or (to) go have a nice meal.”

In recommending approval for the request, the planning commission said the project should be included in the town’s Ga. Hwy. 53 overlay district — which has stricter regulations for new developments.

The planning commission also said that all parking space and buildings in the development should be 60 feet from the existing right-of-way on the state highway, to provide room when Ga. Hwy. 53 is widened.

Plans for the property call for two fast food restaurants, a diner restaurant, a family-style restaurant and two hotels. The concept plans also show 12,450 square feet of office space among several buildings and 26,750 square feet of retail space.

Overall, the project will total 150,000 square feet, according to plans.

The first phase of the mixed-use development is expected to be completed by January 2010. The complete project will be built by 2020 with an estimated value of $30 million, according to documents submitted to Braselton.