Lavonia Planning & Zoning to Hear Rezoning Request Today

A developer whose rezoning request to build townhomes in Lavonia were voted down in January will go before the Lavonia Planning & Zoning Commission this evening to lobby for a second time for his plan to build at the corner of Vickery and Spring Sts.

In December, developer Kenny Whitworth asked that the property be rezoned from R1-A to R-3 Multifamily Residential. Whitworth said at the time, his plan was to build a total of 127 townhome units.

The request was tabled until the January City Council meeting where a number of citizens protested the plan. The Commission recommended rejecting the plan, without giving a reason and the City Council voted the rezoning application down.

Since then, Mayor Umbehant has called for changes to policies and procedures in an effort to make sure the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council, and staff are all working together.

Earlier this month, the Mayor said that Whitworth’s application to build townhomes and single-family homes on Vickery St. highlighted problems the City has with the application process.

“The conflicts in our recent zoning issues have highlighted some major issues we have in our city processes. Not only on the administration side but in the training of our planning and zoning commission and training for the elected officials and the training of staff. We’re addressing all of those things. You’re going to be hearing a lot more about that as time goes on,” he said.

Tonight’s meeting takes place at 5:30p at Lavonia City Hall and it is open to the public.

Then on Monday, March 6, the Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing on the new rezoning request at 5:30p at City Hall before voting.