Tucker, GA — The Tucker City Council approved the rezoning of single-family lots on Lawrenceville Highway to make way for 50 townhomes, despite neighbors’ pleas to preserve the woods and wildlife.

The development is at the intersection of Bishop Drive and Lawrenceville Highway.

Tucker code requires 20% greenspace on a development of this kind. Embry Development Company has planned for 52% open space, concentrated toward the rear of the property, near single family homes on Bishop Drive. A dog park and community garden are part of the greenspace.

Nearby resident Linda McCulloch spoke during public comment. She played the sound of a wood thrush, a bird declining in population due to development.

“There’s a lot of dedicated people out there who believe that we can build a better city and honor the woods and the parks and the wildlife that we have,” said McCulloch. “We are in so much danger of losing green space and wildlife. We have hawks, otters, foxes, mink … consider building more sustainably, allowing more green space to remain, taking down fewer trees, encouraging wildlife.”

Owners of the single family properties spoke in favor of the plan.

A neighbor asked, “How much profit is ‘enough?’ Who do you choose to support: those who live elsewhere and want a very large cash out of their assets, or those of us whose homes and financial support are invested for the long term?”

City council member Noelle Monferdini made a motion to deny the application, but it failed, lacking support. Council member Cara Schroeder then proposed an amended motion, which would remove two end units to reduce density and asking the developer to regrade one building, so it was less visible to neighbors.

The application passed 5-2. Council members Noelle Monferdini and Alexis Weaver voted no.

In other development news:

– SDM Partners presented a first read of a plan for adaptive reuse of an office building at 2247 and 2251 Northlake Parkway. The company is applying for a Special Land Use Permit to increase density to 24 units per acre and a rezoning to relocate parking on a previously approved property. SDM will present a second read of the application in July.

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