The Gwinnett County Planning Commission delayed ruling on a controversial development being proposed by David Jenkins that would add 334 houses on a mostly undeveloped 131-acre tract of land in an already crowded portion of the county.
The planning commission said it will rule on the request for a zoning change next month, and asked that by then the consultant representing Jenkins’ company meet with neighbors, perform a traffic study and clarify confusion over which schools would be attended by people living in the development.
Jenkins is a successful developer who was given immunity three years ago in exchange for his testimony about his partnership with former Gwinnett County commissioner Kevin Kenerly, who has been accused of accepting a $1 million bribe from Jenkins in exchange for his vote on a zoning issue.
Kenerly has denied the accusation and has appealed the indictment to the Georgia Court of Appeals. A ruling on that appeal is expected later this year.
Mitch Peevy, who represented Jenkins’ Rocklyn Homes during a public hearing Tuesday night, said the company has agreed to reduce the number of homes in the development to 334 from 399, in an attempt to ease residents’ concerns.
“We have tried to do what’s right,” Peevy said. “We are trying to be good neighbors.”
More than 20 people showed up to oppose Jenkins’ request for a zoning change. The property currently is zoned for light industrial, which allows for some 60 uses, including animal hospitals, cabinet shops, food processing plants, distribution centers, self service storage units, and laundry or dry cleaning plants.
Several residents said they would prefer those uses to a huge development of tightly-packed homes that would bring with them hundreds of additional cars on the congested roads and more students in overcrowded schools.
Jan Tadeo, who lives near the proposed development, asked why the hearing was held before the start of the new school year. Parents, students and teachers should have a chance to weigh in, she said. Tadeo also said Jenkins’ history should be considered by the planning commission.
“Is this really somebody you want to put your neck on the line for?” Tadeo asked.
Resident Chris Horton said the area along Cruise Road near Sweetwater Circle can’t handle another huge development.
“I just think this is way too many houses,” Horton said. “We can barely sustain the homes we already have. We need your help. You were put in positions of power to protect people. Approving this would do the opposite of that.”
Commissioner Don Shillington, who voted against the delay, told opponents that he thinks they would be more unhappy if the land was developed for industrial uses.
“In my heart of hearts, I feel like what you’re asking us to do is detrimental to you,” Shillington said.
Peevy asked the commissioners not to delay the vote. He said the neighborhood would have a home owners association, a pool, tennis courts and a playground area — features of upscale developments.
Peevy also said that Rocklyn Homes had originally considered a development that would have included apartments and townhomes, which would have constructed about 900 units, or more than double the number that the company is currently proposing.
“Buyers in this area have shown they want a large home on a small lot,” Peevy said.
Rocklyn Homes bought the property contingent upon the rezoning from California-based Cisco Systems, which kept the land — known as “The Range” — largely undeveloped so it could test the range on its satellite dishes and other electronic devices.
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