The county sides with residents who argue the 36-story and 34-story towers at the Canterbury at Lake Lanier development will be too dense for the three-parcel, 10.6-acre site near the Thompson Bridge and Old Thompson Bridge roads in Hall County. The towers would consist of 150 condo units, 34 hotel suites, 10,000 sf of retail and three restaurants. Also planned is a helipad and a robotic parking system.,

But Gainesville, which would have to annex 3.7 acres of the 10.6-acre site, maintains the project is adjacent to the city limits, can make the necessary sewer connections and complies with the area's overall land-use plan, city staffers confirm for GlobeSt.com. Since the land would be both in the county and city after the annexation, both governments would have to approve the undertaking, area planners following the controversy tell GlobeSt.com.

The planned venture goes before the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board May 11. Castro's Endeco International company already has received approval for the project as a development of regional impact from the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Authority. American Capital Building and Investment Ltd. of Atlanta and Conyers, GA is Endeco's partner in the enterprise.