The locally based developer, however, tells the planners the multimillion-dollar project won't be profitable unless at least five units per acre are approved. The full Cobb County board of commissioners votes on the issue May 17.
Batson-Cook initially proposed building 73 attached (duplexes) and 54 detached homes on the triangular-shaped tract. The planners, however, asked the developer to re-work its plan for fewer homes. But when the developer's revised plans called for 93 single-family detached homes or a density of 5.8 units per acre, the planners rejected the rezoning request and capped the density at 2.5 units per acre, area brokers familiar with the project tell GlobeSt.com.
The developer's second proposal shows the homes would range from 2,400 sf to 3,200 sf of living area and be priced from $250,000 to $320,000. Most of the homes in the Bells Ferry neighborhood have a density of about two homes per acre, according to the planning commission.
Brokers tell GlobeSt.com residents are concerned over the density issue because another developer plans a similar project on 35 acres across Bells Ferry Road. If Batson-Cook's project gets a higher density zoning, then the other development would seek a similar ruling, opening the entire area to increased traffic, noise, air pollution and lower property values, residents tell the county.
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