Two rezoning applications scheduled to be heard by the Henry County Zoning Advisory Board this month were withdrawn, but the board granted a variance and a conditional use in two other cases at its November 14 regular meeting.
The variance request was for the RV park at 281 Mount Olive Road, on the west side of I-75 just south of Jodeco Road, and was to get relief from paved drive requirements for a gravel area set for a planned expansion. A representative of the applicant pointed out that the land in question consisted of about four acres out of the 30-acre overall property.
County staff recommended denial of the request, saying that because it is zoned C-3 (highway commercial) and is a commercial operation, the lots are required to be paved, and any reconsideration at an administrative level could only take place if the property were not open to the public.
The area slated for expansion is on the southern end of the property, just north of the back side of the Henry Town Center retail complex, although the main entrance to the park is still on the northern end and will remain that way. The applicant’s representative said that he wanted to avoid creating a great deal of impervious surface on the back side of the property and preferred to keep it consistent with the way the park is now.
No one in the audience at the meeting spoke in opposition to the request. Much of the board’s discussion centered on how much room would be needed for emergency vehicles to access the area in question.
Ultimately the board voted to go against the staff recommendation and approve the variance with conditions, including the requirement that if a two-lane road is developed leading to the back of the property it must be at least 28 feet wide. A one-lane road would have to be at least 10 feet, or 12 feet if stipulated by the fire marshal.
The conditional use request centered on a proposed assisted living facility at the southwest corner of Mount Carmel Road and South Mount Carmel Road. A developer’s representative informed the board that 199 units were being proposed for the 11.7-acre site – 50 for assisted living, 30 for memory care and 119 for independent living.
The property is zoned RA (residential-agricultural) and this kind of facility is permitted in that zoning category with a conditional use. The applicant’s rep stated that very little new housing for older seniors was being developed in the county considering how fast it is growing overall.
A presentation to the board showed plans for an integrated senior living facility with multiple interconnected buildings and various amenities in a style similar to a class A apartment complex or even a hotel or resort, the developer’s rep said. A separate company would actually operate the facility and state licensing would be required. When asked if the site could be developed without knowing who might run it, the representative stated that financing would not be possible until the operator is identified.
One concern expressed during the discussion was the possibility of this site being used for a drug treatment or rehab facility, which would technically be possible under the conditional use. The applicant stated that his company would be willing to stipulate that such a use could not be possible on this site. That stipulation was included in the motion when the conditional use was ultimately approved.
Two rezoning requests on the agenda were withdrawn before the meeting began. One was a request for rezoning from RA to R-2 Sewer for a proposed single-family residential subdivision on 40.19 acres on Jones Road east of Harper Road. The other request was to change from RA and R-2 to MU (mixed use) for 43.1 acres at 2080 Jonesboro Road, to allow a development consisting of multifamily residences and office/commercial.
