Planning and Zoning Commission - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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August 11, 2025 6:00 PM City of Smyrna Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 3 of 6 • The addition of 250 residential units on Highlands Pkwy will create conflicts with the existing industrial businesses and associated heavy freight traffic that travel the corridor. • The Mixed-Use Land Use & Zoning District is intended for pedestrian oriented developments within designated activity centers. A rezoning to MU-Conditional is incompatible with the surrounding uses and the MU- Conditional zoning does not provide greater benefit to the city compared to the current OI zoning. Additionally, Community Development has concerns with the introduction of multi- family units along the Highlands Pkwy corridor which is occupied with commercial, office, and industrial uses. Therefore, Community Development recommends denial. Kevin Moore, on behalf of applicant and owner (WP South Acquisitions LLC, Wood Partners), has other properties at Belmont and Jonquil. Highlands Parkway is not as homogeneous as would be assumed. There are several uses including commercial, office, industrial, and residential. Traffic along Highlands Parkway can be excessive at times. They are proposing to assist in alleviating traffic concerns. Property itself adjacent to the Fountains office building has been available for several years. WP’s redevelopment of the site complements the surrounding area of Highlands Pkwy area (called Alta Highlands). Blake Brady (Wood Partners, 3715 Northside Pkwy, Atlanta) explained that they are a multifamily developer. They have two developments in Smyrna: 400 Belmont and SYNC at Jonquil. These developments are class A developments. The site in question is a seven-acre site, a 5-story development, surface parking, elevators, 120 one-bedroom, 115 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom. They expect to have retail and a coffee shop. Traffic / speeding – signal warrant study has been conducted by Smyrna. WP would pay for the signalized location at Highlands Pkwy and Lake Ridge Dr. Mr. Brady stated that Alta Highlands (Smyrna) aligns with Smyrna’s 2045 comp plan by addressing Goal 3: Encourage the development of a range of housing choices in order to meet market demand and allow residents to remain in Smyrna across different life-cycle stages. • Policy 3.2: Encourage housing opportunities for young families as well as “empty nester” households. • Policy 3.3: Encourage housing opportunities to ensure that those who work within Smyrna have the option of living within the city. He submitted a list of businesses and Owners Association support signatures. Commission Member Phillips asked why there are so many variances if this is an ideal place for this redevelopment? Mr. Brady stated that it is a tight site. The variances are needed to make this development successful. Commission Member Gordon-Evans wondered if they would consider having fewer units to downsize in order to eliminate the need for so many variances. Mr. Brady stated they would be willing to hear alternate options. Commission Member Ostrzega asked why the City of Smyrna should make an exception for this development when it does not align with the future land use map? Mr. Brady stated that this development provides housing for those who work in Smyrna. It addresses Smyrna’s goal of having more available housing, and it has the feel of similar developments done previously in Smyrna. Ms. Ostrzega stated there is potential for complaints about noise in this area. Mr. Brady stated that renters understand the existing conditions of the area and are temporary. He explained that they did have an