Marietta council signals intent to approve Powder Springs Road rezoning for 43-home subdivision, contingent on arbitration

Marietta — The City Council voted unanimously Jan. 14 to notify Cobb County that it intends to approve a rezoning application for about 10.9 acres on Powder Springs Road that would allow 43 detached single-family homes, but the action is contingent on resolution of a pending arbitration between the city and county.

The rezoning request from PRE Powder Springs Road LLC would convert the site to a planned residential development (PRDSF) at roughly 3.9 units per acre. Parks Huff, the applicant’s representative, said the submission was revised from a 60-unit plan to 43 units to address density objections and to better match the city’s stated preference for for-sale single-family homes. "We revised the site plan to... 43 unit plan. That is, slightly below 4 units per acre, 3.9 units per acre," Huff said.

Why it matters: Neighbors and nearby property owners urged the council to reject the change, arguing the proposal conflicts with Cobb County’s future land-use designation and will increase traffic, require extensive grading, and reduce buffers to adjacent homes and a veterinary clinic. Darren Freeberg, who lives on Ward Creek Drive, told the council the project "is still very, very high density" for the location and asked for a full grading and traffic study before any final approval.

Opponents also noted the Marietta Planning Commission recommended denial (5–2) and that Cobb County had filed a formal objection to earlier versions of the proposal. The city attorney and staff explained that the county’s objection sent the matter into arbitration; the city and county agreed to a 60‑day extension of arbitration to allow public hearings. Because arbitration remains pending, council members said they could only give notice of intent rather than grant final approval.

Supporters, including several young Marietta residents, said the development would provide housing options in a market where first-time buyers often delay purchases until their 40s. Lauren Roscoe, who identified herself as a recently relocated homeowner, said, "Finally, a new homeowner in Marietta after looking for 7 years... there really just aren't very many options here." The applicant also cited GDOT traffic counts and argued the site’s proximity to jobs, transit and the national park makes it appropriate for residential infill.

Council action and legal context: Councilmember [name on record] moved to "send notice to Cobb County that the city intends to approve the proposed rezoning" for PRE Powder Springs Road LLC at a density of about 3.93 units per acre contingent on arbitration resolution; the motion was seconded and passed 7–0. City staff emphasized the vote is procedural notice and not a final development permit until arbitration is resolved.

Next steps: Because arbitration between Marietta and Cobb County is pending, the council’s action does not constitute a final zoning approval. If arbitration is resolved in a way that allows annexation/revision, the council may return the item for final action or the city will proceed per the arbitration outcome.