Seven homes could replace a wooded lot at 290 Rucker Road under a rezoning request headed to the Roswell Planning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The 2.62-acre parcel can hold only two homes under its current agricultural-residential zoning.

City staff recommends approval.

The property sits on the north side of Rucker Road, east of the Rucker Road and State Route 140 (Houze Road) intersection. It is heavily wooded with debris piles near an existing single-family home, according to the Planning Commission agenda packet.

Surrounding neighborhoods include the Crabapple Registry subdivision to the north and east, The Reserve at Crabapple townhomes to the south and the Enclave at Crabapple to the west.

Sherry Hearn of AEC Inc., a Roswell-based engineering firm, filed the rezoning application on behalf of property owner Almasood Qureshi. The request would shift the parcel from AG-43 zoning, which requires a minimum of 43,560 square feet per home, to RS-9, which allows lots as small as 9,000 square feet.

The proposed site plan calls for seven single-family lots, one stormwater lot and 20% open space. No variances are requested.

In a July 27 letter of intent to the city, AEC Vice President Steven L. Rowe wrote that "the proposed residential use is adjacent to and surrounded by similar and complementary residential developments."

Neighbors in the Crabapple Registry raised privacy concerns at an Oct. 6 neighborhood meeting. The applicant's tree replacement plan proposes new plantings along the eastern and western property boundaries, though some specimen trees along the eastern edge would be removed for stormwater infrastructure.

Planner Andrew Beasley is presenting the case. Staff's analysis notes the property falls within the Active Neighborhoods Character Area under Roswell's 2045 Comprehensive Growth Plan, which envisions small-lot single-family development near commercial areas and major roadways.

If the commission recommends approval, the rezoning goes to Mayor and Council on Nov. 23.

Auto showroom rules return after quorum shortfall

The commission will also take up a proposed ordinance adding auto showroom and maintenance uses to Roswell's Unified Development Code (UDC) for the first time. Planning and Zoning Director Jeannie Peyton authored the amendment. It would allow the uses in five commercial and industrial zoning districts: CX, CC, CH, IX and IL.

As we reported Aug. 12, Roswell's corridor districts currently lack any specific standards for car dealerships or showrooms.

The item was deferred from the commission's Sept. 15 meeting after Vice Chair Eric Schumacher recused himself, leaving only three voting members, according to the September meeting minutes. That fell short of a quorum.

Under the proposed rules, a "New Vehicle Showroom" would be a limited use allowing indoor display of no more than four vehicles with an associated sales office. A "New Vehicle Showroom with Maintenance Center" would require a conditional use permit, adding up to three bays for minor work such as oil changes and tire rotations.

No heavy repair, body work or painting would be permitted. All service must be conducted indoors, and no vehicles could be stored or displayed outside.

The hearing begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Residents can attend and speak during the public hearing portion of each agenda item.