Friday, May 3, 2024–11:16 a.m.

-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-

This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com

The Rome-Floyd Planning Commission recommended approval of changes requested for a 309-acre development off Callier Springs Road, to include 465 single-family homes.

According to the Rome News-Tribune:

The site is being sold to a new developer, and they plan some changes to the newly named Brook Ridge at Etowah proposal. The property is behind the East Rome Walmart off U.S. 411.

The original, Avalon at Rome, proposal was for 1,231 townhouses and apartments when the Rome City Commission rezoned the property to Multifamily Residential in 2022. The new owners want Single Family Residential zoning for part of the property to allow for houses instead.

However, there was considerable discussion Thursday among planning commission members and nearby residents on the expected increase in traffic on Callier Springs Road.

“I think the development looks amazing, and I wish them luck,” said Grant Miller, who owns the Callier Springs Country Club. “However, the road is not wide enough for additional traffic and I don’t know if the city and county have made any plans to address it.”

Most of the solutions suggested by planning commission members focuses on directing traffic south toward U.S. 411, which is more suited to heavy traffic.

The new proposal cuts 280 townhome units from the original concept. The new plan also includes private access to the Etowah River for residents.

That recommendation will now go before the Rome City Commission for action.

The planning staff also reported the company is seeking variances to cut the minimum required lot width to 51 feet from 60 feet and to reduce the front and side setbacks.

“These requests will be decided by the Rome-Floyd Board of Adjustments at their meeting on June 20,” a planning staff report notes. “No applicant has ever received a variance for this many potential lots.”

Several other applications were heard Thursday. The planning commission recommended approval of:

• a special use permit for the Salmon Funeral Home on New Calhoun Highway to add onsite cremation;
• a rezoning request from the owner of 906 Preacher Smith Road. The change was essentially called “housekeeping”, as no change in use was expected;
• a request from the owner of 1315 Dean Ave. for a change to High Density Traditional Residential from Community Commercial zoning to reflect the use of the property.
• a change to Light Industrial from Agricultural Residential zoning at 6294 Alabama Highway to reflect the industrial shop on the property. The parcel was part of a much larger tract owned by the Looney family that was sold to Georgia Power in the 1950s when Plant Hammond was being built.
• a rezoning request from the owner of 314 E. First Ave. to change to Urban Mixed Use from Community Commercial zoning to allow for a wider variety of potential uses.