Press Clips

Norcross rezoning application tabled amid conflict

Gwinnett Daily Post
(Reprinted by permission from the Gwinnett Daily Post)

By Carole Townsend
Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS - A rezoning application considered at Monday night's City Council meeting has been tabled until the developer can answer questions about the proposed project.

Mike Welch, representing the Welch family who owns the land, is working with a developer who plans to build a 39-unit single family townhome community. But when the developer's associate addressed the mayor and council, he said, "I can't support the application and ask for denial without prejudice."

The associate gave two reasons for asking for denial. The fact that a stream on the property turns out to be state water requiring a 75-foot buffer prohibits the building of 39 units on the land. Also, there is no sewer service available to the project as the adjoining property is an apartment complex with private sewer, and the owners are being "uncooperative" in that respect.

Planning and Development Director Johnny Lawler told the council there is no provision in city code that allows for denial without prejudice of a zoning application. Any denial would result in a waiting period of 11 months before the application process can begin again. Welch was given the opportunity to withdraw the application and re-submit, thereby skirting the 11-month waiting period.

"Our deal has always been with this developer and not his associate. On behalf of the family I ask that you approve this," Welch said.

Several council members and Mayor Lillian Webb, uncomfortable with the unanswered questions about sewer service and the impact of the 75-foot stream buffer on the proposed number of lots, voted to commit the issue back to the Planning and Zoning board until the questions can be answered.

Stream buffer variance denied

Norcross business Renfroe Mining and Grading asked the mayor and council Monday night for a stream buffer variance regarding a stream that runs across the business property on Langford Drive.

Don McFarland, representing Renfroe, questioned whether the water is really even a stream, although the state says it is state water.

McFarland said Renfroe could still give a 25-foot buffer legally with the council's approval and asked that a variance be granted from 75 to 25 feet.

"Mr. McFarland is an expert in such matters and has many years of experience dealing with things such as this," Webb said.

Councilman Mike Lovelady opposed the variance saying, "My concern is that it is a slow-flowing stream that flows into another state stream. We need to respect the requirements."

The variance request was denied by a vote of 3-2.

City to solicit bids for red-light cameras

Norcross will entertain sealed bids for the installation of red-light cameras at U.S. Highway 23 and Beaver Ruin Road and U.S. 23 and North Norcross Tucker Road. This is the second time requests for quotes have been solicited, the first being about two years ago.