Public hearing held on proposed 12-townhome rezoning on Stegall Place; decision set for Nov. 17

The Dawsonville City Council held a public hearing Nov. 3 on ZAC260056, a request to rezone a 2.15-acre assemblage of tax parcels on Stegall Place from R-2 (single-family) to R-6 (multifamily) to permit 12 fee-simple townhomes.

Planning staff said the applicant’s site plan meets the technical requirements of the R-6 district — including setbacks, lot area, and minimum heated-floor area (applicant proposing approximately 1,700 square feet per unit where the code minimum is 1,200) — but observed that the comprehensive plan’s character-area guidance recommends substantially lower densities for the area (noting a possible conflict between plan guidance and what the R-6 district permits). Staff recommended denial based on that inconsistency, while the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, including converting the proposed front-loaded units to rear-loaded units with a single entry and ensuring lots remain outside the required buffer.

Peyton Anderson, speaking for the applicant, said the proposal would replace older mobile homes, provide modest housing marketed to small families, and argued the site is identified in the comprehensive plan as an area for rehabilitation. Anderson said the plan requires two additional driveways compared with existing conditions and warned that forced rear-loading could require larger turnaround areas, more impervious surface, and loss of backyard space.

Developer spokesperson Sean Geddes said the development aims to improve the corner and provide sidewalks and better-quality housing. No speakers registered in opposition. The public hearing was closed; the council set a decision date for Nov. 17, 2025, rather than taking final action that night.

The staff report and planning-commission recommendation and public comments will be part of the record when the council makes its decision at the Nov. 17 meeting.