Planning Commission recommends denial of North Point development – with an asterisk
News June 29, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After a 45-minute discussion and four separate motions, the Planning Commission voted Tuesday to send the Board of Commissioners a recommendation of denial of Northpoint Capital Investment Holdings, LLC’s request to rezone 140 acres on Fowler Hill Road and Union Hill Road — but with a note requesting it be returned to the commission for additional work.

Jessica Thorsen
Commissioners felt they were close to an agreement with the residents of neighboring communities and the developer but needed more time. The county attorney said the Unified Development Code required a recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting.
Northpoint requested rezoning from Neighborhood Shopping Center (A1) and Single-Family Residential (R2R) to Master Planned District for 250 residential lots with 228 attached residential units and 63,650 square feet of commercial and 294 parking spaces.
Following a public hearing and negotiations with neighbors, commissioners believed they had an agreement on a density of 3.28 units per acre. However the developer concluded it could not do the project with a density of less than 3.4 units per acre, the difference being about 40 residential units.
“I think we’re close to an agreement — may have an agreement — but I’m not sure the people understand what they are agreeing to,” said Commissioner Nedal Shawkat. “I feel like we’re not in a good place to make a recommendation right now and with the time limitation we are backed into a corner.”
Commissioner Jessica Thorsen, who worked with developers, stakeholders and Commissioner Todd Levent on the project, wanted to recommend approval. She questioned whether it was worth the risk of losing an important development for the sake of 40 housing units.
She made a motion for approval, but it died for the lack of a second. After two more motions failed, she recommend denial with a note to commissioners to return it to the Planning Commission for additional work.
Planning Commission to hear request for major residential/retail development
News June 27, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The plan for a 140-acre residential/retail development along Fowler Hill, Union Hill, and Mullinax roads will appear on the Planning Commission agenda when it meets at 6:30 pm Tuesday (June 28) in the County Administration Building.
Northpoint Capital Investment Holdings, LLC has requested a rezone from Agricultural District, Neighborhood Shopping District, and Single Family Residential Restricted District to Master Planned District (MPD) to accommodate 250, residential lots, 258 attached residential units, 63,650 square feet of retail, and 294 parking spaces.
A public hearing was conducted on May 24. The Planning Commission can recommend approval or denial to the Board of Commissioners which will make the final decision on the development.
The Planning Commission will hear two more requests to rezone land for residential developments, including:
- Roy Bennett Family Partnership, LLLP request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES3) on 59.988 acres southwest of Jot Em Down Road for 96 residential lots with a density of 1.60 units per acre.
- Southern Heritage Home Builders, LLC request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 52.821 acres for 53 residential lots with a density of 1.0 units per acre. This property is located at 4355, 4405 and 4415 Pisgah Road, Cumming, GA 30028.
- Prudent Pursuit Allies request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 6 acres for 8 residential lots with a density of 1.34 units per acre. This property is located at 6405 Bennett Road,
Planning Commission will hold public hearings Tuesday
News February 21, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Toll Brothers, Inc. request to rezone 115 acres located at 4875 and 4990 Heardmont Farms Lane from Single Family R1R to Single Family R2R for 128 residential units is just one of several requests the Planning Commission will hear when it holds public hearings Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the County Administration Building.
The property is located north of Heardmont Trace Road approximately 405 ft. north of the intersection with Princetonian Place and north of properties known as 4875 and 4990 Heardmont Farms Lane in Cumming.
Public hearings for conditional use permits:
- WePartner Group, LLC – CP210020 – request to operate a 3,545 sq. ft. short-term rental for 12 overnight guests with 4 parking spaces on 6.80 acres located at 5405 Oak Grove Circle in Cumming;
- Puja Rathore – CP210027 – request to operate a 2,500 sq. ft. personal service establishment (tutoring) in an existing building with 9 parking spaces on 5.79 acres at 5460 McGinnis Village Place, Suites 104 and 204;
- Sreekanth Rao Uppala – CP210043 – request to operate a short-term rental in an existing 3,545 sq. ft. house for 10 overnight guests with 5 parking spaces on 20.271 acres at 4875 Heardmont Farms Lane.
Public Hearings for rezonings:
- MKW Capital, LLC – ZA3862 – request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1), Single Family Community Residential District (CR1) and Single Family Residential Restricted District (R2R) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) Conservation Subdivision on 104.31 acres for 92 residential lots with a density of .89 units per acre. This property is located south of Environmental Campus Drive, approximately 200 ft. east of the intersection with Bethelview Road. The property is also located immediately east of properties known as 4605 and 4607 Environmental Campus Drive, Cumming. The property is also located west of Keithwood Drive, immediately south and west of property known as 5320 Keithwood Drive;
- Century Communities of Georgia, LLC – ZA4001 – request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) Conservation Subdivision on 88.45 acres for 105 residential lots with a density of 1.19 units per acre. Located: This property is located south of A C Smith Road approximately 2,100 ft. northwest of the intersection with Jewell Bennett Road. The property is also located immediately south and immediately east of property known as 6780 A C Smith Road, Dawsonville;
- Nagesh Chilakapati – ZA4026 – request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Commercial Business District (CBD) on 4.9152 acres for commercial buildings totaling 32,400 sq. ft. with 130 parking spaces. This property is located at 6107, 6121 and 6139 Post Road, Cumming. The property is also located immediately south of property known as 6121 Post Road and immediately east of property known as 6139 Post Road;
- Doug Weston, III – request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Commercial Business District (CBD) on 4.845 acres with retail with Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) for a 94,116 sq. ft. climate controlled self-service storage facility and a 2,975 sq. ft. vehicle rental establishment with 30 parking spaces, an open storage yard with 13 parking spaces and to conduct around the clock business hours. This property is located south of Keith Bridge Road approximately 1,625 ft. northeast of the intersection with Freedom Parkway. The property is also located immediately east of property known as 3010 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming;
- Rajesh Chennuru – ZA4036 – request to rezone from Single Family Residential Restricted District (R2R) and Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES3) on 2.793 acres for 5 residential lots with a density of 1.79 units per acre. This property is located at 1015 and 1073 Delo Lane and 1038 Haw Creek Drive, Cumming;
- United Family Homes, LLC – ZA4044 – request to rezone from Single Family Residential District (RES3) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 5.72 acres for 4 residential lots with a density of .70 units per acre. Located: This property is located west of Bethelview Road approximately 775 ft. north of the intersection with Northridge Drive. The property is also located immediately south of property known as 3698 Bethelview Road, Cumming.
Taylor Morris conservation subdivision will add 93 single-family homes
News December 5, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Planning Commission concerns aside, the Board of Commissioners moved forward Thursday to unanimously approve a conservation subdivision in North Forsyth that will add 93 homes to the community.
The Planning Commission recommended denial of Taylor Morris request to rezone the property at 4850 Burruss Road from agriculture district (A-1) to single family residential (R-2) at its last meeting in October and when the development was first proposed to the Board of Commissioners in November, they appeared not to like it either.
“Let’s lay our cards on the table,”said attorney Ethan Underwood who represents Taylor Morris. “The feedback we got was you all hated it.”
So Underwood came to last week’s meeting to present a new site plan that would require the following variances:
- A reduction in the minimum number of lots abutted by open space on one side from 85 percent to 43 percent;
- A reduction in the minimum setback from primary conservation area from 75 feet to 0 feet;
- A reduction in the minimum percentage of total land area required as open space from 40 percent to 39 percent.
Commissioners added a condition of their own that requires the district’ commissioner to view the site plan’s amenity area pool and the associated cabana.
Fill Ministeries withdrew its request for a conditional use permit (CUP) without prejudice.
Planning Commission to consider modifications to UDC Tuesday
News August 12, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission will consider a number of modifications to the Unified Development Code when it meets Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.
- UDC modifications related to construction hours;
- UDC modifications related to signage for open storage yards;
- UDC modifications related to performance standards;
- UDC modifications related to exemption for non-residential plat requirement;
- UDC modifications related to dumpsters in residential rezoning districts.
The Commission will also review and discuss the following zoning applications scheduled for public hearing on Aug. 24:
- CP 210008—CK Holdings, LLC;
- HP 210005 – Greg Sample;
- ZA 4001 – Century Communities of Georgia, LLC;
- ZA 4009 – Nitsye, LLC;
- ZA 4010 — McFarland Road Associates, LLC;
- ZA 4013 — OCS Enterprises, Inc.;
- ZA 4015 – Matt Sosebee;
- ZA 4016 – Taylor Morrison of Georgia, LLC
The Planning Commission is a recommending body only. They are delegated the responsibility of holding the only public hearing on rezoning applications, conditional use permits, and home occupation permits. The Planning Commission also holds the public hearing on all variance requests that were filed and scheduled to be considered simultaneously and pertaining to the same property with a rezoning, conditional use permit, or home occupation permit application. The Planning Commission is also responsible for holding the first public hearing on amendments to the text of the Unified Development Code (UDC) and other items, such as the Short Term Work Program, Comprehensive Plan, etc.
Forsyth Planning Commission meets Tuesday
News June 14, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY – The Planning Commission will hold a work session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (June 15) in the Commissioners Meeting Room in the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.
Under New Business, commissioners will discuss:
- DC modifications related to zoning action;
- UDC modifications related to undisturbed areas of separation;
- UDC modifications related to exterior buffer requirements;
- UDC modifications related to administrative variances;
- UDC modifications related to open space and low-impact storm water design incentives.
Commissioners will also review the following zoning applications:
- CP210007 – Ian Brown
- HP210003 – Mike Holland
- ZA3994 – WP South Acquisitions, L.L.C.
- ZA4001 – Century Communities of Georgia, LLC;
- ZA4007 – Jonathan Gonzalez;
- ZA4008 – R.D. Links Investments, LLC
Planning Commission will hear a request to build 310 attached apartments on Settingdown Road
News April 26, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission will consider a request by WP South Acquisitions, to rezone property at 4715 and 4735 Settingdown Circle to build 310 attached residential units and commercial buildings totaling 39,000 square feet when it meets Tuesday (Apr. 27) at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building.
Applicant is asking to rezone 51.7 acres from Multi-Family Residential Restricted District and Commercial Business District to Master Planned District with a density of (MPD) with a density of 6 units per acre and a variance to increase the percentage of total residential units for apartments from 20 percent to 100 percent.
Public hearings scheduled Tuesday include:
- UDC modifications related to a lot of record;
- UDC modifications related to manufactured/mobile homes;
- A request by Paul Marks to operate an open storage yard with 178 parking spaces with a 740 sq. foot accessory office with four parking spaces on 6.750 acres located at 5755 and 5765 Namon Wallace Road. Applicant is also seeking a variance to eliminate the 5,000 ft. sewer distance requirement to facilitate the use of an on-site septic disposal system;
- A request by Qing Zhang to rezone from Single Family Residential District (R1) to Commercial Business District (CBD) on 1.47 acres located at 4625 Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an open air business associated with existing buildings totaling 2,900 sq. ft. and 13 parking spaces.
The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners which has the final decision on any of these requests.
Planning Commission meeting scheduled Tuesday
News January 24, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting and public hearings Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.
Public hearings to be held include:
- UDC modifications related to administrative variances for light pole height;
- UDC modifications related to separation distances between car wash businesses;
- UDC modifications related to vehicle sales and repair;
- UDC modifications related to exterior color changes within the Coal Mountain Overlay;
- UDC modifications related to backyard chickens;
- UDC modifications related to Master Planned Districts;
Public hearings regarding Conditional Use Permits include:
- Winston’s Removal & Landscaping request to build a 2,600 sq. ft. contractor’s establishment with 5 parking spaces associated with a 520 sq. ft. existing building and operate an open storage yard on 1.932 acres currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD).This property is located at 5435 Mashburn Drive, Cumming, GA 30041;
- TRP, L.L.C. – CP200025 request to operate an open storage yard with 23 parking spaces on 2.322 acres associated with mini-warehouses in existing buildings totaling 12,535 sq. ft. with 3 parking spaces currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD) with variances. This property is located at 2879 Canton Highway, Cumming;
- Gary Evans request to operate an open storage yard with 32 parking spaces on 1.25 acres currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD) with variances. This property is located north of Evans Road approximately 190 ft. east of the intersection with Evans Farms Dr. The property is also located immediately west of property known as 4024 Evans Road, Cumming, GA 30040;
- Shelly Daniels req:uest to operate a 384 sq. ft. kennel (dog breeding) with 1 parking space on 1.251 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1). This property is located at 2675 Dr. Bramblett Road, Cumming, GA 30028;
- Muze Salon Suites Dawsonville LLC – CP200028 – Commission request to operate a 6,500 sq. ft. massage parlor in an existing building with 22 parking spaces on 12.612 acres urrently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD). This property is located at 2635 Freedom Parkway, Cumming;
- Suddeth Family Limited Partnership request to build a courtyard self-service storage facility in buildings totaling 39,200 sq. ft. with 6 parking spaces on 9.565 acres associated with existing buildings totaling 33,350 sq. ft. with 62 parking spaces currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD) and Restricted Industrial District (M1) with variances.This property is located at 3065 Pleasant Grove Road, Cumming, GA 30028. The property is also located immediately east of property known as 3165 Pleasant Grove Road, Cumming 30028.
There will also be several public hearings for rezonings, including:
- Liu Investment Partners, LLLP – ZA3819 request to rezone from Commercial Business District (CBD), Office and Institutional District (O&I) and Single Family Residential District (R1) to Master Planned District (MPD) on 18.534 acres for 67 attached residential units with a density of 3.62 units per acre and proposed commercial buildings totaling 43,975 sq. ft. with 233 parking spaces. This property is located at 100 McFarland Parkway. The property is also located east of Atlanta Highway at the northern side of its intersection with Martin Drive and approximately 640 ft. south of the intersection with McFarland Parkway. Additionally, the property is located south of McFarland Parkway approximately 475 ft. west of the intersection with St. Claire Drive and immediately west of property known as 175 Martin Drive, Alpharetta;
- TRP, L.L.C. – ZA3988 request to rezone from Single Family Residential District (R1) and Commercial Business District (CBD) to Commercial Business District (CBD) on 7.033 acres for a 600 sq. ft. office with Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for a 12,730 sq. ft. climate controlled self-service storage facility, a courtyard self-service storage facility in buildings totaling 8,050 sq. ft. with 5 parking spaces and an open storage yard with 123 parking spaces with variances. This property is located at 2847 and 2877 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040. The property is also located south of Canton Highway approximately 1,225 west of the intersection with Chamblee Gap Road and immediately west of property known as 2781 Canton Highway and immediately east of property known as 2847 Canton Highway in Cumming;
- Naal General Trading LLC – ZA3990 request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 7.315 acres for 8 residential lots with a density of 1.10 units per acre. This property is located at 6259 Campground Road, Cumming;
- John Wilson – ZA3992 – Commission District 4 request to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 29.01 acres for 28 residential lots with a density of 0.97 units per acre.This property is located at 5690 Hendrix Road, Cumming
Forsyth Senior Living, LLC asks to rezone 43 acres when Planning Commission meets Tuesday
News July 27, 2020
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Representatives from Forsyth Senior Living, LLC will appear before the Forsyth County Planning Commission when it meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street in Cumming.
The company seeks a rezone on 43.82 acres from Urban Village Dstrict (UV) and Agricultural District to Urban Village District with a conditional use permit (CUP) for continuing care retirement community, including assisted living facilities with 130 units totaling 182,332 square feet and 93 parking spaces an independent living facility (apartments) with 90 units totaling 103,446 sq. ft and 78 parking spaces, 100 attached units totaling 184,600 sq. ft and 19 detached units totaling 35,800 sq. ft. with a density of 7.74 units per acre.
Variances being requested include reduction of buffer from 25 ft. to 0 ft and an increase in the the maximum gross square footage per business establishment from 60,000 sq. ft. to 506,178 sq. ft.
The remainder of the agenda is as follows:
III. Review of meeting procedures
IV. Motion to consider adoption of minutes for the June 23, 2020 Regular Meeting and the July 21, 2020 Work Session.
V. Old Business
None.
VI. New Business
Presentation of Resolution to Planning Commission member Bettina Hammond
Public Hearing: UDC modifications related to Mobile Food Units, Mobile Vendors, Seasonal Sales, and Temporary Vending
VII. Public Hearings for Conditional Use Permits
1. John and Lee Ann Frix CP200003 Commission District #4
Request to operate an open storage yard on 6.65 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1).
Variances:
Reduce the side buffer adjacent to tax map/parcel 185-003 from 25 ft. to 0 ft. (UDC Table 5.2).
Reduce the side buffer adjacent to tax map/parcel 185-006 for the existing building only from 25 ft. to 8 ft. (UDC Table 15.2).
Reduce the side setback adjacent to tax map/parcel 185-006 for the existing building only from 25 ft. to 8 ft. (UDC Table 15.2).
Located: This property is located south of Dahlonega Highway, approximately 370 ft. east of the intersection with Alan Thomas Road. The property is also located immediately east of property known as 6795 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA 30028.
2. TowerCom V-B, LLC CP200009 Commission District #2
Request to erect a telecommunication tower (199 foot monopole) on a lease area of .0574 acres located on 3.507 acres currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD).
Variance:
Reduce the separation distance between communication towers from 7,920 ft. to 2,381 ft. (UDC 16-2.6(D)).
Located: This property is located at 6650 Shiloh Road, Alpharetta, GA 30005.
VIII. Public Hearings for Home Occupation Permits
None.
IX. Public Hearings for Rezonings
1. Lazaros Papadopoulos and Lee Economy ZA3962 Commission District #1
Request to rezone from Commercial Business District (CBD) to Highway Business District (HB) on 1.524 acres with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a major automobile services establishment and a vehicle sales dealership in existing buildings totaling 7,857 sq. ft. with 23 parking spaces.
Variances:
Reduce the front setback adjacent to the existing structure only from 40 ft. to 6.5 ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the side setback along the eastern property boundary adjacent to the northernmost existing structure only from 15 ft. to 14 ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the zoning setback along the eastern property boundary adjacent to the southernmost existing structure only from 50 ft. to 36 ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the zoning buffer along the eastern property boundary adjacent to the southernmost existing structure only from 40 ft. to 36 ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the front landscape strip from 10 ft. to 0 ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Located: This property is located approximately 310 ft. south of Canton Highway approximately 860 ft. west of its intersection with Bethelview Road. The property is also located immediately south of property known as 2393 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.
2. Damir Serdarevic ZA3968 Commission District #1
Request to rezone from Single Family Residential District (R1) to Highway Business District (HB) on 0.597 acres for a minor automobile service establishment with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a vehicle sales dealership in existing buildings totaling 1,920 sq. ft. with 20 parking spaces.
Variances:
Reduce the zoning buffer from 40 ft. to 0 ft. along the northern and southern property boundaries (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the zoning setback from 50 ft. to 25 ft. along the northern property boundary adjacent to the existing structures only (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the zoning setback from 50 ft. to 18 ft. along the southern property boundary adjacent to the existing structures only (UDC Table 12.2).
Reduce the landscape strips from 10 ft. to 0 ft. along the northern and southern property boundaries (UDC 12-10.15).
Reduce the zoning setback from 50 ft. to 42 ft. along the western property boundary adjacent to the existing structure only (UDC Table 12.2).
Located: This property is located at 1365 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.
3. Forsyth Senior Living, LLC ZA3972 Commission District #3
Request to rezone from Urban Village District (UV) and Agricultural District (A1) to Urban Village District (UV) on 43.82 acres with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) including assisted living facilities with 130 units totaling 182,332 sq. ft. and 93 parking spaces, an independent living facility (apartments) with 90 units totaling 103,446 sq. ft and 78 parking spaces, 100 attached units totaling 184,600 sq. ft and 19 detached units totaling 35,800 sq. ft. with a density of 7.74 units per acre.
Variances:
Reduce the exterior buffer from 25 ft. to 0 ft. (UDC 16-4.8(E)(4)(e)).
Increase the maximum gross square footage per business establishment from 60,000 sq. ft. to 506,178 sq. ft. (UDC Table 12.2).
Located: This property is located at 3477 and 3675 Atlanta Highway, 3480 Shiloh Road, 3719 Mars Hill Road and 4246 Mars Hill Circle, Cumming, GA 30040.
X. Adjournment

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission discussed modifications to the Unified Development Code with regard to specialized pharmacies and lighting and several requests for conditional use permits (CUP) at Tuesday’s work session.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Tuesday’s Forsyth County Planning Commission regular meeting only lasted one hour, and fifteen minutes but commissioners had time to address an unusual variety of agenda items.


FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – WP South Acquisitions plan to build 310 apartments and 39,100 square feet of office/space on Settingdown Circle is back on the Planning Commission agenda when it meets Tuesday (Mar. 23) in the County Administration Building at 6:30 p.m.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — WP South Acquistions request to rezone 51.72 acres on Settingdown Circle for the purpose of constucting 310 attached residential units with 172 parking spaces is just one of the public hearings on the agenda when the Planning Commission meets Tuesday (Mar. 16) at 6:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building.
