Civic Association Talks Townhomes Plan

The East Cobb Civic Association (ECCA) discussed with Patch the proposal to build townhomes at the intersection of Shallowford and Childers roads.

First Vice President and Case Manager for ECCA Jill Flamm told Patch that a revised site plan has been submitted to Cobb County by Marietta-based developers Brooks Chadwick LLC.

The revised site plan, which was submitted on July 3, eliminated the commercial aspect of the proposal entirely, Flamm told Patch. This newly-open space has allowed Brooks Chadwick to increase the number of townhomes on the site from 86 to 96. Patch's earlier article on the proposal cited an incorrect number of townhomes, Flamm said.

This amendment has also changed the re-zoning process, Flamm said. Instead of asking for a new zoning of UVC (Urban Village Center) from the current R-30 designation, Flamm said that Brooks Chadwick will look to get the property re-zoned to RM-8.

RM-8 is Multi-Family Residential zoning, and allows a maximum density of eight units per acre. The site's current R-30 zoning allows for a maximum density of 1.45 units per acre.

"The neighbors told the developers that they didn't want commercial," Flamm said. Agreements with neighbors in the surrounding communities have also limited the townhomes to a maximum height of two stories. 

Flamm said she was not currently aware of the demographics that Brooks Chadwick is looking for in owners of the townhomes, but did state that the townhomes will only be available for purchase and not on a rental basis.

Demand for townhomes in the area is skyrocketing, Flamm said. According to Flamm, 750 reservations were claimed on the 40 townhomes built by Brooks Chadwick on Johnson Ferry Road by the Parkaire Shopping Center. The average price for these townhomes is $550,000 according to Flamm, but The Marietta Daily Journal reported last November they would sell for around $300,000.

Residents' concerns about traffic in the area will most likely be addressed by Cobb County's staff comments on the zoning case, which should be available to the public on or about July 28, Flamm said. Preliminary plans are that the developers will be placing the entrance to the complex directly in line with Childers Road and will also build a right turn lane into the development, Flamm told Patch.

Flamm called the 13.376 acre plot of land "transitional," because it is placed between the Kroger at Shallowford and Johnson Ferry roads and the residential developments on the other side of the property. Residents of the area rejected a proposed low-rise medical office building that Kaiser Permanente had planned to construct on the site, Flamm said. 

"It will be up to the neighbors and the commissioners to 
determine if that development will fit it the character of the area," Flamm said.

The ECCA is continuing to take an active role in the discussions between Brooks Chadwick and nearby residents, Flamm said, but stressed that the association had not reached a final decision on any recommendation to Cobb County government.

Flamm, who is one of the case managers assigned to the project, will make a recommendation to the Civic Association's Board of Directors, who will vote on a recommendation at their July 30 general membership meeting.

East Cobb Patch is attempting to obtain the revised site plan for the development from Cobb County, and will post it online if and when it is obtained.

The rezoning case will be heard by the Cobb County Planning Commission on Aug. 5, followed by a hearing before the Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 19. The Aug. 5 meeting will be held at 9 a.m. at the county's 100 Cherokee Street offices in Marietta, according to the county's website.

Do the amendments to the Shallowford Road site plan change your mind about the development? Tell us in the comments!