Lsenn@CalhounTimes.com
The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission has approved a proposed 94-acre residential development to be built off Highway 53 and Foster Lusk Road east of I-75 in Calhoun. The Foster Glen development is a $45 million project is estimated to bring in $500,000 in local taxes to Gordon County annually.
The project is expected to contain 249-unit single-family homes. According to the developer Calhoun Georgia Developers LLC, which is based in Clearwater, Fla., each lot is expected to be one quarter-acre.
The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission released their findings last week, stating that the project “is in the best interests of the region and therefore the state.”
However, the Georgia Department of Transportation study reveals that the development would adversely affect the State Route System and that a traffic study would be required. Also, the finding recommends that the developer, coordinate any driveways that intersect with Ga. 53 with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The Regional Commission advised that both historic and archaeological surveys be done, and that the developers review plans with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. It was also advised that the developer mitigate storm water runoff by using pervious paving materials. Benefits of pervious materials include ground water recharge and reduced water runoff.
No start date has been set for construction. Chris Wild, a partner with developer Calhoun Georgia Developers LLC, said development would begin once all government procedures had been met. The company is also waiting for real estate sales to improve.
The company has yet to decide how the proposed 249 units will be sold.
“We might sell directly to builder. We might develop them ourselves first. None of that is determined,” Wild said.
Wild said he not sure of the duration of that project.
“Back when we started we planned for a five year project, but with the economy we are not sure,” Wild said. “If the project was started today, and things stay the way they are it could take more like 12 year.”
He also said that the company chose Fairmont Highway because of its proximity to the interstate.
A Developments of Regional Impact report filed with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and can be viewed at http://www.dca.state.ga.us.
Calhoun Georgia Developers filed their application with the Regional Commission in January.
We do not need to see our county placed on the list of most abandoned places. This is determined by the amount of housing available that no one wants. Here is information on that: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-abandoned-cities.html;_ylc=X3oDMTFvajN2Z2g4BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDOTc2MjA0NjUEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNhYmFuZG9uZWQtY2l0aWVz
There is a double-digit unemployment rate. That means greater than one tenth of our employable population have no job. Gordon County is not growing. It is shakily stable right now, but no significant growth will transpire to need these homes and even if they did they will have no money. The "build it and they will come" attitude only works in the movies. The economy is never going to be "back the way it was" in our lifetimes. This land would be better suited left as it is than a red mud eyesore or, even worse, brand new partially finished homes with grass to the knees, vandalized windows, and foreclosure signs in the front yard.
Home values are down, people with no jobs and more loosing their jobs everyday. All this means is a bigger raise and bigger pay check for our local goverment.
What people need is not more homes but new companies and business's.