Council Moves Forward with New Development on Nesbit Ferry

The Nesbit siblings are a family divided when it comes to building townhomes on the undeveloped, wooded land along Nesbit Ferry Road, which their mother had lived on prior to her death in 1999. But, in the end, Roswell City Council concluded new housing inventory would boost the entire area and approved the project.

During the city council meeting Monday night, June 11, Dane Nesbit, one of the property's owners, asked to the city to approve rezoning the property to allow medium-density townhome usage.

The plan will construct 19 attached townhomes at a density level of 3.72; developers are required to leave a grouping of extremely old trees at the front of the lot in tact and to build a bike path and side walk at the front of the community, along Nesbit Ferry Road.

According to the Nesbits, the community is at a much lower density than surrounding neighborhoods, but will "sell for substantially more" than Devonshire, subsequently lifting property values in that community.

The Nesbit family representative showed council a working agreement with the home owner association group in neighboring Devonshire community. But, several residents addressed council in opposition to the proposal, citing environmental impact and increased traffic congestion to an area already suffering from "dangerous" road conditions.

Dale Nesbit, who is not a part owner in the land brought to council by her siblings, also argued against the plan.

Dale said the proposal was in an area "driven by density." She agreed with Devonshire residents that another townhome community was not needed in the area and would further burden roads.

"This doesn’t justify rezoning," said Councilman Kent Igleheart. "We've had numerous cases like this and we've said no. Every time you turn around you’ve got more stuff up and down each road and you’re surprised there’s traffic congestion?"

However, several council members spoke to the property's current rundown state and need for something to be done.

The project was approved five to one, with Igleheart voting against it.

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After , the council went ahead and approved the adoption of Groveway Community Hybrid Form-Based Overlay Design Guidelines, Monday night. The guidelines will help developers get a feel for the types of projects the city is open to considering within the historic area, behind city hall.