GWINNETT COUNTY: Mixed-use project faces delay in vote

Plans for a major mixed-use development on Pleasant Hill Road near Duluth will remain on hold for two more weeks, Gwinnett County officials decided Tuesday.

The County Commission tabled the $300 million mixed-use project in July after complaints from neighbors that the development featuring buildings as tall as 15 stories would be a troublesome eyesore for them.

The project was scheduled to come up for a vote Tuesday, but Commissioner Lorraine Green said that the city of Duluth is now questioning how the Atlanta Regional Commission reviewed the proposal under the state-mandated Development of Regional Impact program.

City Attorney Lee Thompson said the city has no record that it was notifed by ARC about its review of the project.

Since one purpose of the DRI procedure is to make sure large-scale developments don’t pose problems for other communities, the case should go back to ARC for review, Duluth officials argue.

Thompson also said Duluth has some disagreements over traffic and other projections.

Property within Duluth’s city limits is adjacent to the site where the 26-acre project would be built, at Pleasant Hill Road near Buford Highway, next to Shorty Howell Park.

ARC spokesman Michael Wall was unable to track down any information about the situation by close of business Tuesday.

Green said she is not sure what the county can do about the situation because ARC doesn’t believe there’s a way for it to take a case back for a second review.

Green had hoped to table the project for one week to look into the issue, but commissioners extended the delay after Chairman Charles Bannister suggested waiting until Sept. 23, when the commission holds its next evening public hearing meeting.

Bannister’s proposal didn’t get a second, but Commissioner Mike Beaudreau stepped in to suggest the two-week delay, which passed 4-1, with Green voting against.

Green will leave the board in January after being defeated by Bannister in the Aug. 5 runoff for the Republican nomination for chairman.

Green said the delay could pose some contractual problems for Green Properties.

The company’s land-use consultant, Mitch Peevy, did not return a telephone call by deadline for this article.