The Barrow County Board of Commissioners has approved the rezoning of a 5.81-acre property on Patrick Mill Rd., allowing the construction of a 51-unit apartment complex. The approval removes the Master Planned Development (MPD) component from the existing zoning and designates the property as High Density Residential (R3).
The applicant, Noah Craig of Creative Community Solutions, had originally proposed a mixed-use development, but after several revisions the plans focused solely on residential apartments. The updated site plan now calls for two buildings instead of the single structure originally planned. The application was unanimously approved with conditions to ensure the integration of the development into the surrounding community.
The apartment complex will consist of 51 residential units with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The development will include a 20-foot landscaped strip along Patrick Mill Road with decorative fencing and wall columns that will provide a buffer between the complex and the road. The applicant has committed to retaining at least 40% of the existing tree canopy and will replant trees as necessary to meet this requirement.
The property will also feature a variety of amenities including open spaces, river views, benches, a communal garden and a sports field. The development is intended to offer future residents a mix of active and passive recreational areas.
The Barrow County Fire Department expressed concerns about fire safety in buildings with interior corridors and recommended compliance with state regulations. The applicant agreed to the installation of sprinkler systems, fire alarms and fire-resistant barriers.
Additionally, the Barrow County School System predicted the development would add approximately 16 new students to local schools. Although this increase is relatively modest, the district noted that the growth in this area is part of a broader residential development trend and the school system is planning for future growth.
CONVENIENCE STORE DENIED IN PICKLE SIMON ROAD
The board rejected a request to rezone 1.5 acres from low-density single-family residential (R1) to neighborhood commercial (C1) at 4 Pickle Simon Rd. and 15 Twin Lakes Rd. was rejected. The proposal included a change to the future land use map (FLUM) from suburban residential to commercial and a request to combine two parcels for a future supermarket. Staff recommended denial of the application on the grounds that the proposed rezoning was inconsistent with the existing residential and agricultural zoning of the area. Planning staff raised concerns about potential negative impacts, including increased traffic, noise and environmental risks, particularly with fuel storage. Furthermore, the master plan supports low-density residential development in the area and approval of the application could set a precedent for further commercial intervention. Additionally, a request to change conditions related to a previous rezoning case was also denied because there was no commercial development on the property.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
During its October 7 meeting, the BOC held public hearings and approved several zoning and permit applications, including:
• A rezoning of 1.79 acres at 841 Ode Peppers Rd. from agricultural (AG) to low-density single-family residential (R1). The property will be divided into two properties, with the existing house remaining on one property and a new single-family home to be built on the other. Variances to reduce property width and frontage were also approved. Conditions include a minimum of 1,800 square feet of living space for new homes and required landscaping for front and side yards.
• A rezoning of 2.17 acres at 210 Cliff Day Rd. from neighborhood commercial (C-1) to light industrial (M-1) and variations for reduced landscape buffers and increased parking to accommodate a 9,000 square foot office and warehouse for a growing concrete paving company.
• A special use permit for outdoor storage on 1.84 acres on Smith Cemetery Road. The property is located in the Highway Corridor Overlay District, which allows for outdoor storage with a special use permit. Additionally, a variance was approved to reduce the required zoning buffer on the northwest side of the property from 100 feet to 25 feet. The application was supported by the comprehensive plan, which envisages future development on the adjacent property that would not require such an extensive buffer. The permit is for a 24,000-square-foot storage facility intended for material distribution. Conditions for the permit include installation of an 8-foot-tall opaque fence around the outdoor storage area, prohibition on the storage of junk vehicles or wrecked cars, proper and orderly storage of construction materials, and installation of a landscaping buffer.
• A special use and variance request for a 1,120-square-foot metal accessory structure at 260 Rockwell Church Rd. Designated for personal storage, the structure exceeds size restrictions but is screened from the street and designed to blend with the primary residence. The approval includes requirements for non-commercial use, architectural compatibility and placement behind the front boundary of the building. Outdoor storage is only permitted after a 24,000 square foot industrial building is completed.
OTHER STORES
Furthermore, the board unanimously approved the following agenda items:
• Submit the draft Capital Improvement Element and Impact Fee study to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for official review.
• During the October 7 meeting, the Board also approved the following items:
• A customer service policy for the Department of Public Works.
• The first modification to two professional services contracts with Engineering Management, Inc. The first is for upgrades to the Tom Miller Pump Station totaling $301,000. The second amount is for an expansion of the Tanner's Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant totaling $210,000.
• The full-time allowance for the Barrow County Attorney General.
• A professional services agreement for annual fire inspections for the Barrow County Fire Department from SAFEbuilt Georgia, LLC of Alpharetta.
• The Unified Development Code (UDC) revises the scope of services for the planning and community development division of Atlanta-based CPL Architecture, Engineering, and Planning for $192,000.
• The purchase of a GIS software license for the IT department from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) of Redlands, California, for $29,000.
• The Enterprise GIS Support and Managed Services offering to the IT department of ROK Technologies, LLC of Mount Pleasant, SC for $94,850.
• Change order for additional funds for preliminary engineering work required to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Atlanta Highway and Jackson Trail/Bowman Mill Roads from CSX Transportation, Inc. of Atlanta for $9,120.
• The funding application for the Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) 2026.
• A courthouse smoke control system evaluation proposal from Johnson, Spellman & Associates Inc. of Peachtree Corners for $34,310.
• The purchase of a Takeuchi crawler excavator for the water and wastewater department from Cowin Equipment Company, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama, for $123,129.
• Declaring three Ford F-150s as surplus and purchasing three 2026 Ford F-150 regular cab, four-wheel drive vehicles for the water and wastewater department from Akins Ford of Winder for $125,498.