Lavonia P&Z Board Pushes Back Recommendation on Duplex Development

Members of the Lavonia Planning & Zoning Board say they need more time to consider a request to build duplexes in the historic part of the town.

At their meeting Monday evening, developer Evan Herring presented plans to build seven duplexes on a 1.5-acre tract behind 41 Mason St. and is asking the property to be rezoned from R-1 residential to R2 multi-family.

Herring said that based on his research, the proposed development fits the requirements listed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The duplexes would be rental properties with rents between $1,200 – $1,600 a month, according to Herring.

Herring said he plans to buy the home at 41 Mason Street, formerly owned by the late Mary White, that fronts the property and would serve as the manager of the rental units.

However, Board member Morris Rivers said the proposed development would not meet the historical standard of the area.

Having grown up in Lavonia and worked in that neighborhood, Rivers said based on his experiences the kind of duplexes Herring proposes would bring more problems than assets.

Herring said he vets each applicant at his other rental properties and makes sure the property is well maintained. He added that he is building similar duplexes in Hartwell off Franklin St.

But Rivers said Herring could not guarantee what residents would be like once they move in.

Another Board member Dr. Pam Stone said she was concerned with the aesthetics and whether the duplexes would be in keeping with the neighborhood overall.

And Board member Laurie Whitworth said Herring needs to consider the well being of the residents who already live in that neighborhood and how the duplexes would affect their properties.

Other issues mentioned with the proposed development included access and who would pay to extend Burgess St.

Speaking on behalf of the residents living on Mason, Roberts, and Burgess Sts., Susan Blakely who lives at 34 Mason St. said state and federal laws protect historic districts and regulate the actions of public and private individuals.

She added the biggest concern for current residents is the loss of property values in the neighborhood by having a rental complex there.

After hearing from Blakely, the Board as a whole said they needed more time to consider Herring’s revised site plan that downsized the property for the complex from the entire 2 acres to 1.5 acres and to do their research.

They voted to have Herring resubmit his application with the revised site plan which they plan to review at their meeting next month.