Council approves MRPA certificate for 189‑lot Embry Farm development after split debate

Johns Creek — The City Council on July 13 voted to issue a Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA) certificate (RC‑260001) for 10555 Embry Farm Road, allowing the administrative step necessary for a 189‑lot single‑family development within the Chattahoochee River corridor.

Director Song said the subject property totals 204.1 acres and includes about 4,600 linear feet of Chattahoochee River frontage; roughly 72% (147.16 acres) lies within the river corridor. Staff presented MRPA calculations showing proposed land disturbance of 4,332,173 square feet and proposed impervious surface of 1,294,232 square feet, both below the ordinance’s maximums (maximum allowable disturbance cited at 4,429,918 sq ft and maximum impervious at 3,050,012 sq ft).

Bryson Mercer of Toll Brothers, who identified himself as both the company representative and a Johns Creek resident, said the developer has met with the National Park Service and agreed to coordinate a future trail along the Chattahoochee River and to implement best management practices (BMPs) to protect streams and buffers. “We have agreed to coordinate the trail along the Chattahoochee River with [the National Park Service],” Mercer said.

Council debate included concern from one member who opposed the certificate on character and environmental grounds. That council member questioned net density once floodplain and unusable land are excluded and said the project ‘‘doesn’t fit the character of the area’’ and expressed worry about shifting vulnerability categories in the MRPA/ARC analyses.

Other members noted that the Atlanta Regional Commission reviewed the package and found it consistent with the Chattahoochee River Corridor Plan and that staff’s calculations show the proposal remains within the MRPA limits. On the motion to issue RC‑260001, council approved the certificate; the transcript records at least one council member voting against the administrative certificate.

Issuing an MRPA certificate is a statutory step required for land‑disturbing activity within 2,000 feet of the Chattahoochee River. Director Song said the certificate assigns vulnerability categories that determine maximum disturbance and impervious surface allowances; project proponents must still satisfy other city permitting and platting requirements.

The council’s action allows the developer to proceed with MRPA‑related approvals; project opponents and supporters said they expect continued public interest as subsequent permits and construction details progress.