Developer to Present Case Again Tonight for Multi-Unit Housing Project in Lavonia

The Lavonia Planning and Zoning Board will hear again from a local developer this evening who is asking for their approval to rezone acreage off Vickery St. In Lavonia for multi-housing development.

At their meeting last month, the Planning and Zoning Commission first heard from Kenny Whitworth representing Gunter Vickery Properties, LLC, and Alberta and Matilda Garcia of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., owners of three properties on Vickery St./ Highway 59

Whitworth is asking the City to rezone the 11 acres owned by the Garcia’s from R1-A Single-family (low Density) to R-1B Single Family Residential (High Density).

He’s also asking that 14 acres owed by Gunter Vickery Properties be rezoned from R1-A to R-3 Multifamily Residential.

Whitworth said the plan is to build 57 single-family homes on the 11 acres just east of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church and 127 townhomes on acreage on the other side of Grace Fellowship as well across the street at the corner of Spring and Vickery Sts.

Planning and Zoning member Jerry Bird recused himself from voting on the rezoning request because he lives in the Stonebrook subdivision.

However, speaking as a citizen, he said he’s concerned about the high volume of multi-family units coming to Lavonia.

“We have three places in Lavonia now that are approved for high-density housing,” he noted. “You can change the population of Lavonia pretty quick if you fill all of those up. That’s just my opinion. I’m not going to vote on this….I’m stating that as a citizen.”

Other concerns were raised by the Board members regarding the density of the townhome community as well as the increased traffic that would result.

Board member Pam Stone asked if fewer townhomes could be built and Whitworth said they were open to discussing it.

Board vice chair Tracy Knox Sadler said she liked the idea of more affordable housing but was also concerned with increased traffic.

“Growth is always good. Changes come with growth. Growth is good for our city to bring more tax revenue in but I’m one of the citizens who live off Highway 59. Some days coming to Highway 59 it takes five to 10 minutes already to get out into highway 59 traffic. So now we’re adding more traffic to the highway. You did say you all would pay for any traffic lights or anything that needed to be added on. As I say, growth is good. Your pricing is good for the time now but that would be my main concern, traffic in that area,” she explained.

After more discussion, the Planning and Zoning Commission told Whitworth they needed to do more research and review of his development plans before making any recommendation to the City Council.

The Planning and Zoning board is expected to decide tonight whether to recommend approval.

If approved by P&Z, the City Council will have the final vote on whether to approve Whitworth’s application or reject it.

At the regular City Council meeting this evening, councilmen are expected to vote to approve the boards and authority members for 2023 and pass the proposed FY2023 Budget and Capital Improvements.

Tonight’s Planning and Zoning meeting takes place at 5p with the regular city council meeting beginning at 5:30p at Lavonia City Hall.

Both meetings are open to the public.