Developer Proposes 300 Apartments in Alpharetta

A developer wants to build 300 apartments off Westside Parkway just north of Webb Bridge Road – and the recently approved Avalon project. The application is scheduled before the Alpharetta Planning Commission on Thursday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at .

Community Development Director Diana Wheeler said the developer has been told about the city's goal of 85 percent for sale to 15 percent for rent residential ratio.

after North American Properties told Alpharetta City Council it had an agreement with a developer who had vested rights to apartment units to swap them for commercial property use.

The property owner wanting to develop this property, Webb Bridge LLC, has not yet returned a call about this application.

Facts about for sale to for rent ratio in Alpharetta

Webb Bridge LLC's application doesn't appear to claim it has a similar agreement to transfer development rights.

The developer wants the Webb Bridge Master Plan to be amended for pods C-E to allow the apartment development. The property is zoned for office, with Pod C approved for 28,000 square feet per acre.

George Berkow, manager for the development company, says in the application that the property can't be developed as proposed for office, with topography and streams preventing that use. the aplication also says the proposed apartment project will have a minimal impact.

The staff report, which can be found online, says Webb Bridge LLC wants the following:

• Several 4-story buildings
• 300 units, 180 one-bedroom and 120 two-bedroom units.
• 985 square feet average per unit
• Amenity area with pool

The report said that the Fulton County Board of Education was contacted regarding the proposed impact on schools, and it responded that the residential development could house between 82 – 122 students.

"They also stated that , and were at and over capacity and could not meet the demand," the report said.

In addition to the housing ratios not meeting the Comprehensive Plan and the impact on schools, Community Development staff had other concerns. The staff says the property is developable for office. The location also is a problem.

"The location is not within a walkable portion of the community and does not have immediate access to public transportation. High density housing should be located within easy sidewalk access of amenities including public transportation," staff says in the report.

As the city has rejected two proposed projects with the nearby Preston Ridge Master Plan for similar reasons–one located at the northwest corner of Morris Road and Webb Bridge Road and another at the southwest corner of Morris Road and Webb Bridge Road–staff warns about setting a precedent if this was approved.

Webb Bridge LLC apparently had a court reporter making a transcript of the City Council's public hearing on the Prospect Park master plan amendment that allowed Avalon to move forward.