Landscaping Business Request Gets Green Light

The Gwinnett County Planning Commission has recommended approval for a Buford’s company request to remove restrictions and reduce buffers for 6.78 acres located in the 4900 block of Braselton Highway. Applicant Mitch Peevy also requested a special use permit to allow the development of a general contracting and landscape supply business.

Peevy said 95 percent of the property will be utilized for the storage of landscape supplies such as plants, trees and mulch.  Peevy added there are no plans for outdoor equipment storage.

The property is located east of Mount Moriah Road and was formerly the site of a landscape supply and plant nursery company. The business failed in 2009 and the property was foreclosed. The zoning conditions were changed when a heating and air conditioning contractor proposed moving to the location. However, the purchase contract was not completed and the property was placed back on the market.

The newly proposed business would have landscaping supplies and equipment on site in addition to a general contractor’s office. The applicant plans to use the existing building and parking area.

The current zoning, passed in 2009, limits the use of the property to a heating and air conditioning business with no outdoor storage. Current use conditions also include a 75-foot enhanced buffer along the south and west property lines adjacent to residential zoned property. The applicant asked the planning commission to eliminate both of those conditions.

The planning commission unanimously approved the request with conditions including requirements that no vehicles or equipment be stored near the west and south property lines and a requirement that the dumpster be screened from Highway 124.

The Gwinnett County Planning Commission is a recommending body only. The request will now be forwarded to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners for a final decision.