Panel OKs Jones Valley condos

Georgia firm plans 128-unit project on Four Mile Post

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com

Jones Valley soon may get a mountain of new residents.

A city planning subcommittee today approved a rezoning request that would allow a 128-unit condominium development just south of the Target shopping center.

New Life Homes of Marietta, Ga., wants to turn a 22.46-acre tract south of Four Mile Post Road and west of Bailey Cove Road into a complex of villas consisting of 32 four-unit buildings.

The section along the south edge of Four Mile Post Road is zoned commercial, while the back section is zoned for single-family homes. The zoning subcommittee voted unanimously today to recommend rezoning the entire tract to R-2A, which allows multifamily homes. Today's action sends the measure to the full Planning Commission on Aug. 24.

The City Council will have the final say on the rezoning.

The rezoning stirred mixed reaction from residents. Greg Harris of Tascosa Drive, which runs beside the proposed development, called the plan the "lesser of two evils.'' Leaving the zoning as is could result in commercial development along Four Mile Post, which supporters of the condo project agreed would be less desirable than residential.

Carol Wells, another resident of Tascosa Drive, questioned if the development would increase flooding along nearby Aldridge Creek. She also accused the Planning Commission of caving in to developers.

"It looks like the Planning Commission is determined to cement and asphalt Huntsville and forget about the trees and grass,'' she said.

Zoning subcommittee Chairman Crawford Howard responded that landowners have the right to sell their property to developers just as residents are free to buy property to protect from development. Planners are limited in blocking development as long as building codes and other requirements are met.

"We're not a Gestapo state,'' Howard said.

John Munson, a partner with New Life Homes, said the commercially zoned section of the site is 250 feet deep off Four Mile Post and includes 3.5 acres. The multifamily designation would "eliminate'' the possibility of commercial development, he said.

The condos would range from two-bedroom, 1,550-square-foot units with a garage to 2,100-square-foot units featuring three bedrooms, a sunroom, screened porch and garage. Prices would start around $169,000. Construction could begin in January. The proposed name for the development, across Four Mile Post from the Valley Bend at Jones Farm shopping center, is Villas at Jones Valley.

New Life originally proposed three-story condos but revamped its plans to build one-story units after planners raised concerns about buildings that would tower over houses in adjacent subdivisions. Munson has also agreed to fence the property.

City planners are studying proposals to restrict height requirements and lengthen setback requirements for multifamily developments beside single-family homes.




Panel OKs Jones Valley condos Georgia firm plans 128-unit project on Four Mile Post Wednesday, August 11, 2004 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer jpeck@htimes.com Jones Valley soon may get a mountain of new residents. A city planning subcommittee today approved a rezoning request that would allow a 128-unit condominium development just south of the Target shopping center. New Life Homes of Marietta, Ga., wants to turn a 22.46-acre tract south of Four Mile Post Road and west of Bailey Cove Road into a complex of villas consisting of 32 four-unit buildings. The section along the south edge of Four Mile Post Road is zoned commercial, while the back section is zoned for single-family homes. The zoning subcommittee voted unanimously today to recommend rezoning the entire tract to R-2A, which allows multifamily homes. Today's action sends the measure to the full Planning Commission on Aug. 24. The City Council will have the final say on the rezoning. The rezoning stirred mixed reaction from residents. Greg Harris of Tascosa Drive, which runs beside the proposed development, called the plan the "lesser of two evils.'' Leaving the zoning as is could result in commercial development along Four Mile Post, which supporters of the condo project agreed would be less desirable than residential. Carol Wells, another resident of Tascosa Drive, questioned if the development would increase flooding along nearby Aldridge Creek. She also accused the Planning Commission of caving in to developers. "It looks like the Planning Commission is determined to cement and asphalt Huntsville and forget about the trees and grass,'' she said. Zoning subcommittee Chairman Crawford Howard responded that landowners have the right to sell their property to developers just as residents are free to buy property to protect from development. Planners are limited in blocking development as long as building codes and other requirements are met. "We're not a Gestapo state,'' Howard said. John Munson, a partner with New Life Homes, said the commercially zoned section of the site is 250 feet deep off Four Mile Post and includes 3.5 acres. The multifamily designation would "eliminate'' the possibility of commercial development, he said. The condos would range from two-bedroom, 1,550-square-foot units with a garage to 2,100-square-foot units featuring three bedrooms, a sunroom, screened porch and garage. Prices would start around $169,000. Construction could begin in January. The proposed name for the development, across Four Mile Post from the Valley Bend at Jones Farm shopping center, is Villas at Jones Valley. New Life originally proposed three-story condos but revamped its plans to build one-story units after planners raised concerns about buildings that would tower over houses in adjacent subdivisions. Munson has also agreed to fence the property. City planners are studying proposals to restrict height requirements and lengthen setback requirements for multifamily developments beside single-family homes. Copyright 2004 al.com. All Rights Reserved.