'Shire' Zoning Case Applicant Requests Delay

A controversial local zoning case may be delayed once again.

Originally , the "Shire" zoning request will now likely be heard in September.

In an email to Dacula Patch, Gwinnett County Planning Commission chairman Chuck Warbington said the applicant has requested a one month delay to "respond to some community concerns that recently came up." Warbington indicated he plans to motion for the case to be tabled.

Development of the property,  began almost four years ago. Original plans called for more than 180,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space to be built as part of an upscale shopping center. Property developers cleared the land and installed curbs and gutters, but the real estate market crash halted further development. The property was foreclosed in June of 2011.

The new property owners have requested a change in conditions for the 33-acre parcel of land located in the 3600 block of Braselton Highway. The property is currently divided into two zones: C-2 (commercial) and O-I (office-institutional). CML-GA Mulberry LLC has requested zoning for the C-2 portion, which fronts Braselton Highway, be modified to remove prohibitions against 24-hour sales, automotive parts stores, group and congregate personal care homes, full and self-service automotive car washes, drive-in and drive-through restaurants and emission inspection stations. However, according to Warbington, the emission inspection station item is now "off the table." 

The concept plan submitted with the zoning modification request shows a Fifth Third Bank, an Aldi discount grocery store and a drive-through restaurant along Braselton Highway. The middle portion of the property is shown with a medical office building, two restaurants and an assisted living facility. The rear of the property is designated as an office park.

The Gwinnett County Planning Commission hearing for the change in conditions request (case number CIC2012-00008) was scheduled for Aug. 7. The case is currently listed on the agenda as item number four under new business. However, if the case is tabled as planned, it will be heard on Sept. 4.

Dacula, which is part of Gwinnett County District 3, is represented on the planning commission by Chuck Warbington (chuck@gwinnettvillage.com) and Teresa Cantrell (Teresa.Cantrell@gwinnettcounty.com). Other members of the planning commission are Lynn Thorndyke (Lynn.Thorndyke@gwinnettcounty.com), John Winters (John.Winters@gwinnettcounty.com), Matt Houser (Matt.Houser@gwinnettcounty.com), Omar Zaman (Omar.Zaman@gwinnettcounty.com), Clint Dixon (Clint.Dixon@gwinnettcounty.com), Brad Crowe (Brad.Crowe@gwinnettcounty.com) and Don Shillington (Don.Shillington@gwinnettcounty.com). Additional contact information for the members of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission is available here. 

The planning commission meets in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. The next meeting will be held on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.

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