LEESBURG, GA (WALB) -
The land at the intersection of Forester Parkway and Old Leesburg Highway could eventually become a upscale apartment complex holding 240 units.
But property owners have to rezone 29 acres of this land from C2, which is commercial to R2, which is residential.
"This will not only provide housing, but we really feel like it will be a big catalyst for commercial development again in this corridor," said Jim Bacon, a partner with Flint Ventures, Inc.
But the Lee County planning commission denied the application to rezone the land, putting a hold on the development.
Bob Alexander, Lee County Director of Engineering and Planning says the recommendation from the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission was for denial.
"Part of the reasons was that they said, that it wasn't consistent with the overall comprehensive plan, that it would create more capacity for the existing school system, some traffic issues. There would be more services that would be required I guess that currently the county doesn't have the funds to take care of," said Alexander.
But now it's ultimately up to the commissioners to decide whether Lee County can handle the complex.
And the property owners are optimistic, especially after seeing the Forrester Senior Village officially open Wednesday.
"It's a process that you have to go through and we're in the very very early stages of that process so we'll work through it. This was the same with Forrester Senior Village. It took a while to work through the Lee County authorities, to work through the process and it just takes some fortitude and commitment to stay true to it," said Bacon.
Those behind the project say a new apartment complex will just expand the growth for this corridor, which is just beginning.
A public hearing will be held August 14th, before the commission votes on the rezoning application on August 28th.
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