Franklin BOC Ready to Vote on Two Changes to UDC Residential Section

In other business Tuesday evening, Jacques announced the Board will vote Monday night whether to accept the proposed changes to the residential section of the County’s Unified Development Code.

In January, Jacques outlined the three proposed major changes to the Residential section.

Jacques added another change for residential suburban subdivisions is the addition of a proximity requirement, which would mandate that new subdivisions be placed within a half-mile of municipal city limits, keeping suburban growth closer to the County’s five municipalities thus helping to preserve agricultural properties.

Of those proposed changes to the UDC Residential section, Jacques said Tuesday, the Board will vote on setting designated areas for residential suburban subdivisions, and  whether to eliminate multi-family housing altogether from the rural areas in the County.

As for the ordinance regarding townhomes and apartment complexes, Jacques proposed that the section be eliminated entirely from the UDC.

One reason, he explained, is the way the current ordinance regarding multi-family properties is written allows for more units per acre than the old zoning ordinance.

Another reason, Jaques said, is to avoid another possible lawsuit like one settled last year with Corridor Development, a metro-Atlanta builder that was denied permission to build a 399-unit apartment building at the intersection of Hwys 51 and 59.

Additionally, he said such a complex in the county would require sewer.

He pointed out that there are only two places in the County where there is currently sewer available but it’s not intended for multi-family apartment complexes.

At their work session Tuesday night, Jacques said the Board and other County officials have had time to review the proposed changes and are ready to vote.

He added the other changes he proposed in January 2023, will continue to be looked at and considered later.

That meeting will begin at 5:30p with the public hearing from the Planning and Zoning Board recommendations followed by the regular meeting at 6p.

Both meetings take place at the Justice Center in Carnesville and are open to the public.