Woodstock Approves 196-Home Subdivision

A proposal to build nearly 200 homes in Woodstock was given the green light by the city's governing body.

The Woodstock City Council on Monday unanimously approved a petition from Oak Hall Companies, LLC to annex and rezone about 82.5 acres of land at the intersection of Barnes and Trickum roads from R-40/residential and agricultural in Cherokee County to R-3A.

The rezoning would allow the company to build 196 single family detached homes on the land. 

Parks Huff, the attorney representing Oak Hall, told the Woodstock City Council that the proposal is not just to create another subdivision, but it's one that will create a neighborhood that has an amenity package that would include a trail network and nearly 40 percent greenspace. 

Huffs said the proposal, which was met with reservations by area residents, has come a long way since it was first presented to residents in the area during the summer months.

The company struck an "unprecedented" agreement with Cherokee County to donate right-of-way for future road improvements and about two acres that would be used for improvements to or replacing Fire Station No. 7, Huffs added.  

Agreeing to the county's requests forced the company, which originally wanted to build 216 homes, to slightly scale back its proposal.

He also said Oak Hall also worked with the Three Branches community to the north to create adequate buffers.

While the biggest concern residents had was traffic, Parks said many residents were resigned to the fact that "this was land that would be developed at some time."

In lieu of the possibility that Trickum Road would be widened for improvements, Woodstock also agreed to accept a $50,000 donation from the company that it could apply towards sidewalk improvements in other areas of the city.

The development earlier this year drew residents to wonder if it would add an increased burden to area schools and to the surface streets.

Woodstock Zoning Administrator Patti Hart said a traffic study concluded the Barnes/Trickum Road intersection "functioned acceptably" during peak evening hours, and most delays occurred during morning rush hours and arrival times at Little River Elementary School.

The study also noted Trickum Road could use a third through-lane from its Highway 92 intersection, along with widening Trickim between Arnold Mill Road and the Cobb County line. 

Only four residents spoke during the hearing, all of which were in favor. 

Resident Ed Smith praised Oak Hall for its desire to keep area residents informed of their plans, noting they were willing to put their promises in writing.

"I’ve been supportive of this development," he said. "They have repeatedly come and met with us as individuals and groups."

Carol Lord, who owns one of the parcels that will be annexed and rezoned for the project, said she has "come to admire the Oak Hall people." Noting she doesn't call the project a subdivision, but a "community," she said she was glad to learn the company plans to leave the lake on her property in place.

"I was really on board when I found all the greenspace they were going to leave," she said, adding she was also glad to see their plans would leave in place "a lot of the property we have babied for 33 years."  

Bill Goddard, who also owns one of the parcels subject to the annexation and rezoning, said he's lived in Woodstock for 62 years and while he sees a lot of new faces, he's still proud to call the community home.

He noted that the people in public service in the city of Woodstock are what makes the city an admirable place to live, and Oak Hall's development will add to that desire.

Carl Montean, who lives in the Three Branches community that sits north of the parcels on Trickum Road, said he's moved around a dozen times and has never seen a company that has kept the public informed about its plans like he said Oak Hall has done.

He said the company has met with their homeowners association's board and was willing to work with them to make sure their plans had as little impact on their current way of life as possible. 

"This community will be an asset for Cherokee County as well for the city of Woodstock and...I support this plan," he added.

The council also unanimously approved Oak Hall's request to rezone 17.05 acres of land along Ragsdale Road to build 51 single-family residential homes.

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