Three of Four Dacula Planning Cases Tabled

Only one of the Dacula area cases on Tuesday night’s planning commission agenda moved forward after commissioners tabled three other local cases.

The Gwinnett County Planning Commission met Jan. 18 to consider several .

Planning commission chairman and district 3 appointee Chuck Warbington moved to table a special use permit request by the Dacula Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The church has requested permission to construct a 5,000-square-foot brick sanctuary building with 90 parking spaces on a 9.67-acre tract of land in the 1500 block of Ace McMillan Road.

The planning department recommended denial of the request due to the fact that a nearly identical 2007 special use permit application for a church on the site was denied. The planning department analysis also stated the location could result in an inappropriate amount of traffic in the sparsely developed residential and agricultural area.

The motion to table passed 9-0. The case has been rescheduled for Feb. 15.

District 4 appointee Tommy Hunter moved to table two Dacula area zoning cases related to property owned by George Flannigan.

Flannigan submitted a request that his property, located at the 2900 Block of Braselton Highway and 2300 Block of South Pucketts Mill Road, be rezoned from RA-200 (Agriculture-Residence District) to C-1 (Neighborhood Business District) in order to allow the construction of a child daycare center. The wooded property is currently undeveloped.

The planning department recommended the zoning request be denied since the proposed commercial zoning and use may be incompatible with the surrounding residential uses, inconsistent with the policies of the 2030 Unified Plan and could set a precedent for future C-1 zoning that may not be appropriate for the area.

The motion to table the request passed 9-0. The case has been rescheduled for April 19.

In the other case, Flannigan requested that his property located near the 4200 Block of Braselton Highway and the 2000 Block of Holman Road be rezoned from RA-200 (Agriculture Residence District) to C-2 (General Business District) to allow for the construction of a 17,385-square-foot commercial/retail building and an additional retail outparcel with a total of 85 parking spaces. Flannigan’s letter of intent did not specify a particular retail establishment or use.

The planning department recommended approval of the request saying the new zoning would be consistent with previous zoning decisions in the area.

The motion to table the request passed 9-0. The case has also been rescheduled for April 19.

The only Dacula area case not tabled was a special use request by Wayne Edwards, the owner of property located at 1950 Track Court. Edwards requested a special use permit to erect a 30’ x 40’ metal detached garage on his property in Harbins Station subdivision. The building will be white with black trim to match the existing home.

Edwards advised commissioners the building would be used to store several antique cars and would cost about $18,000. Edwards also said he would plant a row of Leland cypresses as recommended by the planning department.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the request.

UP NEXT

The planning commission is a recommending body only. The commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners for a final decision. The board will vote on the Track Court case on Tuesday, Jan. 25.