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Visit the Home Page for a complete list of headlines from THIS WEEK's issue.
Developers have BIG
plans for Cusseta-Chattahoochee
Community Calendars |
By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the 11-29-06 issue)
While only time will tell if Cusseta-Chattahoochee County will get the kind of massive growth many have predicted due to the major expansion of nearby Fort Benning, it seems that a number of developers are betting that the predictions are right.
There are currently at least four
Just how ambitious are the plans of these four developers? Combined, they propose to add up to around 1,400 homes to the county. Of course, forming lots on a map and drawing up plans doesn’t guarantee that many homes will be sold, or even constructed, but there is certainly the potential of Cusseta, as area residents currently know it, ceasing to exist in the not-too-distant future.
According to County Manager Elvin Hardy, there are less than 1,170 homes in the county now, so if the developers’ most optimistic plans pan out, the number of homes in the county could more than double – from around 1,170 to around 2,551.
“I think within the next three to four years you’ll see headlines that say Cusseta-Chattahoochee is the fastest growing county in the nation,” said Hardy, adding that if a new interchange providing even more convenient access to Fort Benning goes through that “they (developers) won’t be able to build houses fast enough.”
He qualifies that statement, however, by noting that the local commissioners may be able to rein in a portion of the growth if they so desire. Three of the current five commissioners will
Even Kevin Herrit, who is very familiar with the plans of the various developers due to his role with the local Planning and Zoning Office, can’t predict the final outcome.
“To a certain extent it’s going to be up to the new Board of Commissioners,” Herrit said.
Below are brief summaries of the five proposed developments of which the newspaper has learned.
Magnolia Grove
The only large subdivision plan that has already been approved by the Board of Commissioners is “Magnolia Grove.” Plans are to construct this subdivision on a 215 acre piece of land located off of Old Highway 137 (adjacent to Georgia Highway 26). Actually, only 125 of those acres are proposed for the 123 homes (with the remainder being preserved as “green space”).
In addition to being the only subdivision already approved, plans are to use septic tanks rather than to tie into the new sewage system the local government is expected to establish. Those two factors combined could make it possible for work to begin in the near future.
Other specifics for the Magnolia Grove subdivision include: four entrances off of Highway 137, three fitness/family areas, walking
Cusseta Pines
One of the other four subdivisions proposed, but not yet approved, includes Cusseta Pines. South Georgia Acquisitions and Development (SGAD) is asking for a zoning change to allow a PUD (Planned Unit Development for high-density housing) on 445 acres of land. If the request is approved, their plans include an option of building from 800 to 1,000 homes.
The local Planning Commission voted on Sept. 14 to recommend that the Board of Commissioners deny the request, but the commissioners have the option of overriding the recommendation. The commission’s attorney is reportedly currently looking into a proposal made by SGAD to help finance the development of the sewage treatment plant and sewage lines that would be needed.
In addition to needing the approval of the commissioners, various studies would also need to be completed before any actual work was done, so this appears to be more of a long-range project that could be adapted.
Cusseta Village
Developer Mark Woods has proposed rezoning 155 acres on the corner of US Highway 27 and Riverbend Road from agricultural to a type of zoning suitable for high density housing and commercial development. Preliminary plans include the possibility of up to 177 multi-family units.
Woods went through the Development of Regional Impact study process for the project, which received the blessing of the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development Corporation. However, the local Planning Commission voted – in a 4-to-3 split decision – to recommend denial of the rezoning request. The Board of Commissioners is expected to discuss the request during its meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Woods actually owns 332 total acres in the area, 117 of which are already zoned to allow muti-family units. The other portion of the land could also be used for single family homes as it is, so some development is expected even if the rezoning request is rejected.
Firetower Road Project
Tom Moore is in the initial design phase to develop 110 acres off of Firetower Road. The preliminary design is for around 81 housing units. Three parcels of land are involved and Moore is seeking to have them all zoned as “R2,” which requires a minimum of one acre per housing unit, along with a restriction that the homes be site-built, as well as various regulations for road frontage and setbacks.
The Planning Commission has recommended his rezoning request be approved and the Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on it this Tuesday, Dec. 5.