The Woodstock Planning Commission once again recommended denial of a proposed plan to build 210 apartments near a busy intersection.

Tivoli Summit LLC has requested the Woodstock City Council allow a variance so the apartments can be built on 16.47 acres at Putnam Ford Road south of Eagle Drive.

The site is across from the campus that houses Etowah High, E.T. Booth Middle and Chapman Intermediate schools.

The property is zoned multi-family residential with conditions limiting development to no more 132 town homes.

Tivoli is asking for a variance of that condition in order to build 210 apartments, as well as variance to allow for one-bedroom apartments to be as small as 700 square feet instead of the permitted 800 square feet.

The council is scheduled to hear the case during its May 19 meeting.

Before the planning commission rendered its unanimous decision, it heard from scores of parents opposed to Tivoli's request.

Parents said they fear the proposal would cause more traffic in the area, bring more children into an already crowded school district and lower property values.

Chris Maher, president of the Spicer's Grove Homeowners Association, said the applicant's request "does not require them to be upscale."

"No apartments," he said. "We don't want apartments."

Jeffrey Lear of the Wellesley neighborhood said the addition of an apartment complex would worsen traffic at the intersection of Putnam Ford Road and Eagle Drive.

"I've seen the growth in this city go from quiet to an abomination when you try to go somewhere at 7 in the morning," he said.

Scott Levanthal, president of Tivoli Summit, said the company is respected for its "quality projects."

Representatives from Tivoli also said the proposed development would not worsen traffic in the area.

"There would be no negative, adverse impact as a result of this rezoning," Levanthal said.

This was Tivoli's second time before the planning commission this year.

The commission in January recommended denial of the original request.

The company originally had requested for four adjacent acres to also be annexed and for a rezoning that would allow 250 apartments and 10 town homes on the combined property.

Residents had voiced opposition to the project because of its proximity to the school camps.

The city council was scheduled to hear the case on Feb. 25 meeting, but tabled it to allow Tivoli time to answer questions about the project's impact on traffic in the area.

Tivoli then withdrew its original request at the council's March 10 meeting.

Planning commission members on Monday night still expressed concerns about the site's suitability for apartments and whether the development would comply with the city's comprehensive land-use plan.

The area is designated as neighborhood living, which would consist of a mixed-use, but primarily residential development, according to city Planning and Economic Development Director Richard McLeod.

"One thing that concerns me is that I'm not seeing this product carrying that [mixed-use plan]," commission member Jeff Wood said. "At this time, I don't think this product is right for that area."

Commission member Judy Davila agreed.

"Again, to reiterate, we have to protect our residents now and in the future," she said. "I don't think this product belongs there now or in the future."

Commission Vice Chairman John Szczesniak said he was surprised by the number of people who were opposed the development.

Fifty residents attended the meeting, and a half dozen of them spoke as representatives for the affected neighborhoods.

About 1,000 residents of the Spicer's Grove, Wyngate, Wellesley and the Etowah Valley neighborhoods opposed to the project signed a petition that was given to the commission.

Scores of parents also sent planning staff e-mails voicing their opposition to the proposal.

"That's a lot of people who don't want you here," Szczesniak said to Tivoli representatives.

Commission member Joe Linden said the opposition was "more than he's seen since he has been on the planning commission."

"As a board, we have to respect what our neighbors want," he said.

kdixon@cherokeetribune.com

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