Arbor-Lyn developer goes back to drawing board

Following a negative recommendation from the county's planning and zoning commission, an application for Arbor-Lyn, a high-density community, has been withdrawn.

Lockwood Design & Construction Inc. of Milton had requested rezoning of a 35-acre parcel along Warrington Road from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to HR-1, RPC, high density, residential planned community, for 202 units of mixed housing.

“They may reapply with another method other than HR,” said Lawrence Lank, the county's director of planning and zoning.

He said if the application had been denied by council, the applicant would have had to wait a year to refile the same application. “They could refile today,” Lank said. By withdrawing the application, the applicant could file a different application.

The proposed community's density would have been 5.7 units per acre, which according to testimony at a pair of public hearings, was compatible with at least two other developments in the area. However, planning and zoning commissioners pointed out the other developments were zoned medium-density residential and not high-density, which would have allowed up to 12 units per acre. They said MR, medium-density residential zoning, would be more in line with the surrounding area.

“The dilemma is that if this application expires, the zoning stays with the property,” said Commissioner Marty Ross, said during a Sept. 24 meeting.

He said the developer could get the density he wants with MR zoning and a conditional use. “This way we don't run a risk,” Ross said. “And we don't open up other lands to HR zoning on Warrington Road. It could become a domino effect.”