Project with stores, apartments clears first hurdle

However, the Braselton Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request for the project — which now heads to the Braselton Town Council for a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m. A council vote is expected on Monday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m.

Spout Springs Partners, LLC wants to rezone 17.89 acres at the intersection of Spout Springs Road and Thompson Mill Road in South Hall from General Commercial (G-C) to Planned Unit Development (PUD).

In December, the company got approval from the Braselton Town Council to amend the future land use designation for the property to allow for a mixed-use development.

Plans call for the unnamed development to include 278 apartments spread across nine, four-story buildings; two retail stores along Thompson Mill Road that will also include residential space on the upper level; and two commercial outparcel buildings.

Jeff Mahaffey, an attorney representing Spout Springs Partners, said the project would have a “positive impact” on Braselton and the local tax base.

“This mixed-use development will really be an asset to the Town of Braselton,” he told the planning commission on Monday.
But two Braselton residents questioned not only a potential grocery store in the project, but also the number of residential units planned for the development — especially in the wake of a slumping housing market.

“Where is that that we see the demand for 300 apartment units, particularly in a residential and commercial mixed community,” said Bruce Brown, a resident of Chateau Elan.

Allan Slovin, chairman of the Braselton Planning Commission, said the town has a long-range plan that looks at the kind of people potentially moving to the area and their jobs.

He pointed to the new hospital by Northeast Georgia Medical Center — which is expected to open in 2015 on Thompson Mill Road (Ga. Hwy. 347) in Braselton with an estimated 500 employees.

“This definitely meets a need over the next two to three years,” Slovin said of the proposed apartment complex.

Slovin later added that the developer wouldn’t immediately build apartments until the market creates that demand.

Besides the apartments, Spout Springs Partners’ plans for the development includes two outparcel commercial buildings. In an initial site plan submitted to the town, one of those buildings was shown as a potential Aldi.

However, Mahaffey said it’s unlikely that the discount grocer will open a store on the property. A revised site plan now shows that building designated as a commercial outparcel without naming a potential tenant.

Still, Brown and resident Linda Wilson voiced concerns about the possibility of another grocery store opening in the Duncan’s Corner area — where Kroger and Publix are also located.

“I can hardly imagine how an Aldi would not hurt Kroger and try to envision Kroger going out of business because they’re stuck between an Aldi and a Publix,” Brown said.

Wilson said the almost 300 apartments will create more traffic in the area. She said that she was also concerned that approval of the project would create a precedent for more commercial developments and apartment complexes stretching from Spout Springs Road to Ga. Hwy. 211.

Wilson asked the planning commission to maintain the area’s quality growth and consider scaling down the size of the project.

No one else from the public spoke in favor or opposition for the proposal at Monday’s planning commission hearing.

Planning commission member Chris Meadows asked Mahaffey to ensure that Hall County firefighters could handle a potential blaze at the apartment complex — which will have four-story buildings. He said the closest Hall County fire truck with a ladder to battle high-rise blazes is located on Falcons Parkway in Flowery Branch.

Braselton planning director Kevin Keller said the county’s fire marshal would have to ensure that the development meets fire safety standards, as well.

The residential portion of the development will be located next to The Oaks at a Braselton — a senior living center that is under construction.

Once completed, the apartment complex by Spout Springs Partners will feature an amenities center with a fitness center, pool, internet café and business center. It will also include four gated entrances at various spots to the residences.

“We’re providing the security that the residents want in a high-quality (apartment) complex like this,” Mahaffey said.
The development will further allow residents to walk to the adjacent stores and other retailers in the area, he added.

Spout Springs Partners has owned the property for about six years, according to Mahaffey. The development company also funded a recently-installed traffic light at the intersection of Spout Springs Road and Thompson Mill Road next to its property.