FORSYTH COUNTY — JEH Homes’ request to build 66 townhomes off Mathis Airport Drive was dealt a setback Tuesday night when Forsyth County’s planning board voted 3-2 to recommend it be denied. It was the first meeting for new board member Greg Dolezal, who cast the tiebreaking vote for the project, which neighboring communities oppose. At the board’s last meeting, members deadlocked 2-2 on the proposal. The measure next goes to the county commission, which will consider the board’s recommendation when it decides the matter. Dolezal also was the lone dissenting vote in a request from Bryan Dunn to build a 108-foot amateur radio tower on his 6.39-acre property on Log Cabin Road. Attorney Christopher Balch offered the planning board a history of Ham radio, saying it was a hobby for Dunn and would not be used for commercial or financial benefit. However, neighbors such as David Leitch opposed the tower out of concern it would lower property values.“We have no problem with anyone having a hobby, as long as that hobby is not intrusive,” he said. Pam Bowman, who chairs the board, recommended three additional conditions, including a height limit of 108 feet. Also, if Dunn moves or gives up the hobby, he must take down the tower. Both Dolezal and Jayne Iglesias voted against SR Homes’ request to rezone 13.51 acres on Old Alpharetta Road from a commercial business district to single family residential 4 to build 40 residential lots. However, the other three members on the board recommended it be approved. Joshua Scoggins, attorney for the builder, said the project was age targeted for empty nesters, with home prices ranging upward of $400,000.“It fits in very well with what’s around it,” he said, adding that SR Homes has a proven track record. Representatives from neighboring communities, said they were “overwhelmingly supportive.” One resident spoke in opposition, saying the zoning should be changed to Res 3, instead of Res 4, adding it sets a bad precedence by approving so many Res 4 rezonings, which allow for more density than the Res 3 requirements. The board unanimously approved a JW Homes’ rezoning to Res 3 for 20 residential lots on 10.1 acres on the northwest corner of Daves Creek Drive and Vicki Lane. Board member Alan Neal recused himself from the vote, as he did during last week’s work session. Project attorney Scoggins called the development “something everybody can be proud of.”
FORSYTH COUNTY — JEH Homes’ request to build 66 townhomes off Mathis Airport Drive was dealt a setback Tuesday night when Forsyth County’s planning board voted 3-2 to recommend it be denied. It was the first meeting for new board member Greg Dolezal, who cast the tiebreaking vote for the project, which neighboring communities oppose. At the board’s last meeting, members deadlocked 2-2 on the proposal. The measure next goes to the county commission, which will consider the board’s recommendation when it decides the matter. Dolezal also was the lone dissenting vote in a request from Bryan Dunn to build a 108-foot amateur radio tower on his 6.39-acre property on Log Cabin Road. Attorney Christopher Balch offered the planning board a history of Ham radio, saying it was a hobby for Dunn and would not be used for commercial or financial benefit. However, neighbors such as David Leitch opposed the tower out of concern it would lower property values.“We have no problem with anyone having a hobby, as long as that hobby is not intrusive,” he said. Pam Bowman, who chairs the board, recommended three additional conditions, including a height limit of 108 feet. Also, if Dunn moves or gives up the hobby, he must take down the tower. Both Dolezal and Jayne Iglesias voted against SR Homes’ request to rezone 13.51 acres on Old Alpharetta Road from a commercial business district to single family residential 4 to build 40 residential lots. However, the other three members on the board recommended it be approved. Joshua Scoggins, attorney for the builder, said the project was age targeted for empty nesters, with home prices ranging upward of $400,000.“It fits in very well with what’s around it,” he said, adding that SR Homes has a proven track record. Representatives from neighboring communities, said they were “overwhelmingly supportive.” One resident spoke in opposition, saying the zoning should be changed to Res 3, instead of Res 4, adding it sets a bad precedence by approving so many Res 4 rezonings, which allow for more density than the Res 3 requirements. The board unanimously approved a JW Homes’ rezoning to Res 3 for 20 residential lots on 10.1 acres on the northwest corner of Daves Creek Drive and Vicki Lane. Board member Alan Neal recused himself from the vote, as he did during last week’s work session. Project attorney Scoggins called the development “something everybody can be proud of.”