The Forsyth County planning board, which serves as a recommending committee for the Board of Commissioners, held their monthly work session on Tuesday, July 18, where they discussed zoning applications to be heard at their July 25 public hearing.
Storage facility proposed in south Forsyth
WHAT: OCS Enterprises Inc. is requesting to build a 103,000-square-foot climate-controlled storage building with 20 parking spaces on about three acres currently zoned commercial business district (CBD). A variance seeks to increase the building length from 200 feet to 365.8 feet.
WHERE: On Atlanta Highway (Hwy. 9) in south Forsyth, just south of the intersection with Shirlee Industrial Way.
COMMENTS: Last month, due to the recent resignation of District 3 planning board member Patrick Britt, the board voted 2-2, which automatically postponed the application to July’s public hearing. At Tuesday’s work session, District 2 planning commissioner Stacy Guy, who “adopted” the application, said the applicant has made changes that make it more favorable.
POSSIBILITIES: Guy said Tuesday he is ready to move ahead with the vote.
Catholic church wants to add buildings, amphitheater
WHAT: Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church is requesting a conditional use permit (CUP) to expand and operate a church sanctuary and to add a ministry building, parish hall and administration building, mini-amphitheater, gymnasium and youth building totaling 160,000 square feet with 550 total parking spaces, in addition to the existing 32,000-square-foot church on 12.04 acres currently zoned agricultural district (A1).
WHERE: Off Shiloh Road near Fowler Park in south Forsyth.
COMMENTS: Planning members initially expressed concern about the amphitheater and the amount of noise it would make. Church members who attended Tuesday’s meeting said the sound would be minimal and that the space would mostly be used for youth groups and children’s summer activities. If expanded, the eight-phase project would make St. Brendan’s the largest Catholic church in the state, they said.
POSSIBILITIES: The board appeared favorable toward the request.
120-lot subdivision requested next to Polo Fields
WHAT: Parkland Communities Inc. wants to rezone about 88 acres next to the Polo Fields subdivision in west Forsyth from A1 to single family residential Res-2 district to build 120 lots at a density of 1.37 units per acre.
WHERE: Off Pittman Road in west Forsyth.
COMMENTS: Guy said he may condition larger house sizes to fit with the homes already in the Polo Fields. As applied for, a single-story home would be required to be a minimum of 2,400 square feet and a two-story home to be 2,800 square feet. Guy seemed OK with the single-story size but indicated he would like to increase the two-story size. He said while the subdivision would not be a part of the Polo Fields, the developer may buy bulk membership to the golf club for residents, thus giving them access to the club’s amenities.
POSSIBILITIES: No clear leaning was discerned Tuesday, with the board discussing possible conditions to be added before the hearing.