Woodstock Approves Neese Road Townhomes

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Woodstock City Council on Monday approved a plan to build nearly 30 new homes along Neese Road near First Baptist Church of Woodstock.

Council members unanimously approved a request from Neese Road Investments LLC to annex and rezone 3.56 acres from R-40 (single family residential) in Cherokee County to RTH (single family attached residential) in Woodstock to accommodate plans to construct a 28-townhome development.

The property is located on the west side of Neese Road north of Brentwood Lane. To the east is one home-based business LRC Landscaping Group and First Baptist Church of Woodstock.

City Planner Tenia Celis Leyva, said the parcel, which is currently home to a church, is an unincorporated island and is serviced by the city of Woodstock.

She also said staff's recommendation for approval was mostly due to the Council Policy Manual that encourages annexation of unincorporated islands into the city limits whenever possible.

One resident, Larry Sandidge, said he helped develop the Brentwood subdivision he currently resides in, which sits to the south of the property in question.

He expressed concerns about stormwater runoff, stating that Neese Road "sits on a ridge," and water typically drains away from the road. With that in mind, the stormwater generated from the property once developed will settle onto his land, Sandidge stated.

“With the density, it’s going to be hard to control the runoff that you have," he added.

He also alluded to the city's policy that requires a minimum of five acres for townhome developments. With this particular project, the city voted to approve the request at 3.5 acres. This led the resident to ask if the city would change its zoning requirements for future townhome projects.

City Manager Jeff Moon said Woodstock's zoning ordinance calls for a minimum of 5 acres, but the Council Policy Manual encourages annexation of unincorporated islands. The only way to temporarily address the issue with this case, Moon said, would be to follow the council's guidance, but to accept the annexation and rezoning under the county's 3-acre minimum guidelines.

Joel Larkin, attorney for the applicant, said the developer will follow all stormwater guidelines outlined by the city. While they are currently "shopping for a builder," Larkin assured the Council and those in attendance that the development will feature nice, contemporary homes that “will not harm the market in any kind of way.”

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