Local News
Cobb approves 3 subdivisions for senior citizens
This home is one of those built by Jim Chapman Communities for ages 55 and above in metro Atlanta with another community approved Sept. 18 for Bells Ferry Road at I-575 by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. This year Chapman was voted “55 Plus Builder of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders. Courtesy of Jim Chapman Communities
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners agreed Sept. 18 to allow the construction of three subdivisions for senior citizens, totaling 373 residences.
These subdivisions are age-restricted for those who are ages 55 and above.
Frequently objecting to subdivision or townhome developments due to the extra number of students who would come into schools that are near capacity or overcrowded, the Cobb County Board of Education also expressed “concerns” since senior residential developments “generally have a negative impact on tax revenue” for the Cobb County School District due to the exemption of property taxes.
These developments include:
- 123 single-family detached houses on almost 53 acres at 2727 and 2785 Old Lost Mountain Road, north side of Meek Road and south of Gaydon Meadows Drive to be developed by InLine Communities. No more than 2.5 units will be allowed per acre. Prices will be $350,000 on average to more than $400,000 with add-ons and 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. First, all of the houses will be offered for sale. Then 10 houses can be leased if not in conflict with the 10 percent requirement of federal law. Cobb County Stormwater Management noted the property poses a flood hazard with a dam that needs to be brought up to county standards and downstream threats to the lake at 2399 Brandt Road and a culvert at Meek Road within the Jennings Estates subdivision.
- 155 single-family detached houses on nearly 36 acres at 3920 and 3941 Bells Ferry Road at I-575 to be developed by Jim Chapman Communities. Prices will be $400,00 with add-ons and 1,600 to 2,400 square feet. The property does contain a house built around 1900 at 3941 Bells Ferry Road which appears "to have the potential to contribute significantly to the county's public history," according to county staff, recommending "the home either be incorporated into the development" or "documented if destroyed."
- 95 single-family detached houses on almost 40 acres at 2040 Mars Hill Road north of Stilesboro Road by Traton Homes. Recommended for denial by the county staff due to the higher density of nearly 2.4 units per acre compared to neighboring subdivisions, the application calls for houses of 1,800 square feet and larger. The property is in a flood hazard zone that is designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a 100-year floodplain.
