A developer facing foreclosure on a condo complex in Vinings wants to rent the units, but the Cobb County Planning Commission said no.
In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the commission denied the request by the owners of Vinings Main, which is on Paces Ferry Road near downtown Vinings.
“This whole discussion is unlike any we’ve ever had,” said Planning Commission member Christi Trombetti, who voted against the denial along with commission member Judy Williams.
Trombetti said the question was a policy decision best handled by politicians.
The Cobb County Commission, which has the final say, is scheduled to consider the request Sept. 15.
The owners of Vinings Main have sold only three condo units out of 148 in the multistory complex. The condo units were priced between $250,000 and $300,000 before the economic downturn. The company is still building townhomes there.
The primary developer is Wood Partners, which also developed Metropolis in Midtown. The company wants permission to rent the condos for up to five years while it continues to try to sell them.
Land use lawyer John Moore, who represents Wood Partners, told the Planning Commission that it was best for the community not to leave the units vacant.
Ron Sifen, a Vinings resident, argued it’s best for the neighborhood to have owner-occupied homes. He urged the commission to reject the rental request, even if it meant the development would go into foreclosure.
Planning Commission member Mike Terry said the county originally gave Wood Partners permission for 30 extra units because the condos would be owner-occupied. He voted to deny the request, along with Planning Commission Chairman Murray Homan and commission member Bob Hovey.
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