Large, mixed-use development faces limits
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NorthFulton.com
The Vicker's Village proposed mixed-use development at the corner of Canton Street and Woodstock Street in Roswell was approved June 23 with restrictions.
The Vicker's Village proposed mixed-use development at the corner of Canton Street and Woodstock Street in Roswell was approved June 23 with restrictions.
Posted Wednesday, June 24, 2015 2:47 pm
COMMENT
Jonathan Copsey
ROSWELL Ga. – A proposed mixed-use development in the heart of Roswell’s Canton Street was approved June 23 by the City Council, albeit with restrictions.
The Vicker's Village development is proposed to sit at the corner of Canton Street and Woodstock Street, on the northern edge of the walkable area of Roswell’s heart.
A mixed-use development, Vicker's was proposed to have 80 apartments and feature a mix of retail and restaurants on the ground floor. The retail, commercial and office space would be about 16,000 square feet in size.
The development also features a large public plaza at the corner of the streets, making for a gathering place.
The developer, King Lowry Ventures, asked the city for variances to allow a fourth story as well as allowing residential multi-family housing. A buffer variance was also requested.
“The development of Canton Street has caused a significant impact on property values,” said Don Rolader, attorney for the applicant. “[The existing property] is ugly and an eyesore. There are abandoned stores and houses.”
Indeed, the development would replace the Vicker's Automotive store as well as several old and sometimes derelict homes beside it.
Despite this, nearby residents organized against the development, seeing it as too large for the corner and too intense for Canton Street. The height of four stories was one issue, as was the sheer size of the development. While it was stepped back from Canton Street, to appear smaller, in the rear the building had no design. This made it look very large, said residents.
This concerned members of council.
“There's nothing wrong with change, but we have to be careful about what we put in there,” said Councilmember Kent Igleheart. “This is just so much.”
His fellow councilmember Rich Dippolito agreed.
“We are taking six parcels and consolidating them as one building,” said Dippolito. “If this were on Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9), we would be loving this thing.”
Councilmember Becky Wynn suggested approving the development and its multi-family aspect, but denying the extra story as well as the buffer variance. There will be a minimum size to the homes built.
“To put multi-family uses in here is important for the vitality of the area,” said Councilmember Nancy Diamond. “Given what this corner represents in this corridor, it needs to be something special. We need to get this right.”
The project was approved 3-2, with Dippolito and Igleheart opposed.
RN 06-25-15
Labels: Roswell, Roswell Canton Street, roswell ga, roswell georgia, Vickers's Village
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 7:07 AM
