The Hampton City Council has cleared the way for a new planned development with approval of two rezoning requests at its April 12 regular meeting.

Fairlane Capital LLC requested a rezoning from R-1 and R-2 (single-family residential) to PD (planned development) for 20 acres on Hampton-Locust Grove Road at McDonough Street, adjacent to the Bear Creek Senior Center and across from the Fortson Library. Plans for the vacant property include a mix of single-family homes and multi-level townhomes, according to officials. City staff recommended approval with two dozen conditions.

The same applicant also asked for 30 acres on East King Road and Hwy. 20 to be rezoned from R-1 to PD. The site abuts the previous property on the south, and this portion is slated for the same use.

In other business, two annexations involving a large portion of land received final approval. Nearly a dozen parcels under multiple owners make up a total of 572 acres on the east side of the city, stretching from South Hampton Road to just north of Hwy. 20 and west of Dorsey Road. On the west side of the city, a total of 803 acres with three separate property owners lies just west of Atlanta Motor Speedway and the county airport.

Two other annexation requests passed their first readings and will be considered again next month. The first is a 5.57-acre tract at 2701 Hwy. 3 South and the second consists of 74 acres on Lower Woolsey Road just west of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Both are currently zoned RA (residential-agricultural) with no plans for a zoning change.

The council passed a resolution allowing the city manager to negotiate and the mayor to execute a $25,250 contract for a branding project with Sky Design.

Approval was given for the Yellow Pollen Festival, scheduled for May 14, with requested road closures and alcohol use. A private party at the old Fortson Library was also approved for alcohol use.