Commission holds East Side Baptist Church senior‑living rezoning after residents press stormwater and compatibility concerns

East Side Baptist Church, through a nonprofit entity called Haven at East Side, sought rezoning to RSL to develop supportive and independent senior housing on about 8.65 acres of its campus. Attorneys and the applicant described a project with a maximum 95‑unit assisted‑living/memory‑care building (including up to 10 independent units) and eight independent‑living cottages, emphasizing nonprofit ownership, architectural treatment and stormwater improvements designed to modern county standards.

Neighborhood speakers and the East Cobb Civic Association objected to the scale and placement of a three‑story building, raised concerns about increased traffic, parking, lighting and noise, and recounted long‑standing stormwater drainage problems tied to existing parking and undeveloped detention infrastructure. The applicant’s consultant said the project’s detention pond and up‑to‑date stormwater and water‑quality controls should materially improve local drainage and described the project as addressing an unmet regional need for senior housing.

Commissioners asked technical questions about stormwater, traffic generation and site configuration and repeatedly encouraged the applicant to meet directly with neighbors and county technical staff. The commission voted to hold Z22 and requested that the applicant host a community meeting with participation from county stormwater and DOT staff so neighbors can review proposed drainage work, parking, construction timing and buffers before the application returns to the commission.