With a Tuesday evening vote looming for a high-density residential complex on Lexington Road, several Athens-Clarke County commissioners visited the site over the weekend.
Planners for the project, which comprises 501 rental dwellings of various sizes on about 50 acres, seek to have the parcel rezoned.
The commission discussed the rezoning Feb. 2, but delayed a vote until its work session set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Tess Cunningham, a resident of Shady Brook Drive a street with 11 single-family homes next to the proposed project had encouraged commissioners to take a look at the property.
She said commissioners Jesse Houle, Carol Myers, Ovita Thornton and Mariah Parker met with residents at various times over the weekend. Parker, who has voiced support for the project because it includes affordable housing that will be administered by the Athens Land Trust, explained her position, Cunningham said Monday.
Athens-Clarke commission weighing high-density housing development
The Athens-Clarke County Commission is expected to vote next Tuesday on a rezoning request to allow a high-density housing development on the Lexington Road corridor in east Athens.
The project, a multifamily residential complex with commercial development fronting Lexington Road, drew a mixed reception from commissioners.
During its monthly meeting Tuesday night, commissioners voted 8-2 to delay a decision on the rezoning until next week.
The development, proposed by Smith Planning Group and owned by Lexington Associates LP, involves about 50 acres of undeveloped property on the 2400 block of the highway. The development runs adjacent to a neighborhood on Shady Brook Drive and three of its residents spoke to the commission, all expressing concerns about the project’s impact on their property.