A Martinez developer’s cottage neighborhood project is a step closer to coming to fruition near Augusta’s Montclair neighborhood.
Tuesday, the Augusta Planning Commission voted 6 – 2 in favor of recommending a four-acre portion of the seven-acre property at 400 Warren Road be rezoned from R-1 and R-1A to R-1E Single-family Residential for the proposed development of more than 30 detached home units, between 800 and 900 square feet.
According to the project’s concept plans and letter of intent, about an acre of the property would be green space, with amenities such as a dog park, a walking trail, a community garden and a prayer garden. The houses would range from two to three bedrooms, comprised of two-story slabs.
READ MORE: MIS Committee to discuss resolution for property tax relief for timber tax
The subdivision project is a collaboration between the applicant, Purpose Holdings LLC, and the property owner, Good News Church.
“Our idea is to provide modern starter homes in this location, with a with some common areas,” said Nick Teske of Purpose Holdings to the planning commissioners. “The goal, really, there is to partner with the church for any ministry opportunities, and also to provide access to the local community as well to the dog park and the facilities that are present there, including the community garden.”
Responding to a question from planning commissioner Donnie Smith, Teske explained that Good News has no plans to tear down its church building or otherwise redevelop the property used for the church’s ministries.
The church would manage the neighborhood’s homeowner association until an undetermined number of the houses were purchased, Teske explained. Once the homes are completed, ownership of the property will be transferred to a separate LLC that both Teske and Good News Church would be part of, equally splitting the proceeds of the home sales.
READ MORE: Augusta fees, taxes, more fees, taxes slated for Tuesday called meeting votes
“We have a stake in this neighborhood,” said Matthew Judd, senior pastor of Good News Church, telling the commissioners that the church my offer ministerial classes in areas like marriage or finance to homeowners. “We’ve had other people approach us about buying that property. We had office complexes, schools, folks wanting to do town homes, and we’ve turned all those down. But when Nick approached us with this project, I really like it. I think it’ll really add value to the neighborhood and be a benefit for all involved.”
Teske also explained, answering a question by commissioner Debra Spencer, that the houses would not be container homes, but would be constructed on-site.
One homeowner, Mary Gill of the nearby Montclair neighborhood, spoke to the board in opposition to the rezoning, expressing concerns about increased traffic and an aesthetic incompatibility with other homes in the area.
Trent Mercer, another Montclair resident, told commissioners that he had initially been concerned about the proposed subdivision’s density before speaking with reps from the church and from other neighboring residents. After meeting them, Mercer said, his only stipulation regarding the development is that one individual or company not purchase several of the home units to turn them into rental properties.
Save commissioners Smith and Mercer, who voted against the request, and Commissioner James O’Neal, who abstained, all board members voted in favor. The rezoning request is slated to go before the Augusta Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 19
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
