February 2025 Newsletter

NEWS FLASH

Oleander Drive Change in Conditions application (Again)

The community meeting mentioned in our last newsletter was well attended. The community brought up concerns over stormwater management, frequent flooding in the surrounding area, including Lake Lucerne, and how this new development may worsen those concerns. The health of the wetland area was also brought up and what impact the development might have on the Yellow River.

This meeting's main purpose was an overview of the Change in Conditions requested by the developer and to answer any questions the community members had. These change in conditions include removal of specific stormwater management requirements in the approved 2015 zoning in light of the updated stormwater regulations required by the county and state. The developer is also asking for Pickleball courts instead of the required tennis courts, slight changes in minimum square footage, and reduce 3-sided brick to 2-sided on some of the homes. The price point for the homes is between 700 and 800K.

The picture above is an updated site plan after the meeting was held. The changes include a reduction in impervious surface,

You can find an updated redline of the Change in Conditions by clicking here.

You can find the development details (Available on Gwinnett County's ZIP portal) at this link. (Please note, you may need to register a FREE account to access this link. It is available and free to the public).

For more history on this development, please see the Development Section of this newsletter (below).

MPCA will continue to keep you updated as this development progresses.

Park Place Plan updates!

The pictures above come straight from the consultant and show what the community prioritized! The green dots represent high priority, and the red dots represent low priority.

One of MPCA's volunteers continues to meet with the consultant along with other community members to help with the design process. At this point the consultant has not scheduled any new community events. We will update you as soon as we know when the next event is happening!

MPCA Accomplishments

Mountain Park Community murals are complete!

MPCA's founder, Kate Pittman, had a hand in the idea and planning of the murals that now welcome you to the Mountain Park community! Some know the area as Five Forks but many of us call this area Mountain Park, including our local post office branch!

MPCA is made up of area residents looking out for area residents like you! Join us and make a difference! 

Recent Land Use, Building, and Development items in the Mountain Park area

(INCLUDING requests for Zoning, Re-Zoning, Variance, Waiver, Special Use Permit)

Southwest Gwinnett Safe Access Study (LCI study)

MPCA reached out to Gwinnett County on the current status of Mountain Park Revitalization Plan, a part of the Southwest Gwinnett Safe Access Study from Planning and Development

The Planning Staff with the Department of Planning and Development is working closely with the consultant to finalize the design plan. This plan will hopefully go before Board of Commissioners towards the end of the spring season. MPCA is hoping to use this design plan to inform a commercial zoning overlay for our area. A commercial zoning overlay is a long-term goal that MPCA set a few years ago! We are excited to see some light shining at the end of the tunnel! This will give our community more of a voice in what development and re-development happens in our Mountain Park community!

You can visit the interactive map to see community input at the link below.

 Southwest Gwinnett Safe Access Study

Olympic Tennis Center update

MPCA reached out to Gwinnett County on the current status of this hot topic. We received the following statement from Planning and Development

The rezoning of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center was officially approved on October 24, 2023. On June 3, 2024, Gwinnett County authorized the purchase and sale agreement to transfer the property to Fuqua Development.

As originally approved by the Board of Commissioners, this project aims to transform the 26-acre site into a mixed-use development, including wholesale retail, four restaurants, and multifamily residential units.

The initiative is currently advancing through the planning stages, with Gwinnett County collaborating closely with Fuqua Development to ensure its success. We will keep you updated on the progress of the project.

Custom Auto Body and Repair Shop at

Hewitt Rd and McDaniels Bridge Rd Intersection!

A Special Use Permit was up for discussion on the Feb. 4th Planning Commission public hearing. The Planning Commission voted Denial, aligning with the Planning Staff's recommendation that it does not align with Gwinnett's 2045 Unified Plan. This will go up for discussion with the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25th at 7 pm. MPCA will keep you updated! For specific information you can download the SUP information from the agenda package here. If you have input on this, email the Board of Commissioners. You can find out who they are and their email addresses here!

Oleander Drive Development History

Another developer is seeking similar Change in Conditions to the zoning requirements for the same 93 acres along Oleander Dr that came up a little over a year ago. Just as in 2024, they are requesting removal of stormwater management requirements specifically mentioned in the rezoning requirements approved in 2015. The developer expressed in a meeting with MPCA members that these specific stormwater management requirements were no longer necessary due to the updated county stormwater management regulations that are more stringent.

MPCA included the 2024 CIC requests along with a survey. Many responses included concerns over potential flooding around Yellow River and properties near it, including on Lake Lucerne Rd.

History

In 2015, the Board of Commissioners at the time approved with conditions a large single family home development with several conditions revolving around stormwater management and home size and quality. However, the development was not pursued.

On March 5th, 2024, there was opposition expressed during the public hearing for Gwinnett Planning Commission (click here to go directly to the portion of the recording for this item) On March 26th, 2024, during the Board of Commissioners public hearing the developer at the time requested a recommendation of Denial without Prejudice to the Change In Conditions application. (click here to go directly to the portion of the recording for this item)

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to Deny the CIC application during the public hearing. (click here for official meeting minutes of the 3/26/2024 public hearing)

On April 16th, 2024, The BOC Chairwoman signed a resolution stating the CIC application is "Denied without Prejudice" (click here for the resolution)

Present

On November 6th, 2024, a Change In Conditions application was uploaded to Gwinnett County's ZIP Portal. (click here to see the case record on the ZIP portal). NOTE, you may need to create an account and log in if you do not already have one.

You will find a concept plan (also pictured above) and details on the requested change in conditions by clicking the following links:

Original Concept Plan (also available on Gwinnett Zip Portal)

Original Redline of Change in Conditions (also available on Gwinnett Zip Portal)



Interested in preserving Green Space? Let the county know! Attend the Gwinnett Tree Ordinance Community meeting (information below)!

Upcoming Events!

Gwinnett Tree Ordinance Community Meeting

Do you have input on the future of Gwinnett's Tree Canopy? This is your opportunity to have your voice heard!

Date and Time: 02/26/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location: One Justice Square, First Floor Conference Center

446 W Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Gwinnett operates 11 glass recycling locations and invites residents to join us at glass recycling pop up events throughout the County in February, March, and April.

Residents are encouraged to bring their glass to recycle and receive free bags and other items at each event.



The events will take place at on the following dates:

• Monday, February 10 at Harbins Park (baseball entrance) in Dacula from noon to 4:00pm
• Monday, March 10 at Bogan Park Community Recreation Center in Buford from noon to 4:00pm
• Monday, March 24 at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville from noon to 4:00pm
• Friday, March 28 at Rabbit Hill Park (football entrance) in Dacula from noon to 4:00pm
• Monday, April 7 at OneStop Norcross in Norcross from noon to 4:00pm
• Saturday, April 26 at the Earth Day Event at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville from 9:00am to noon

Please contact Solid Waste at GCSolidWaste@GwinnettCounty.com or call 770.822.7141

Interested in other events in Gwinnett or Lilburn? Check out the calendars below:

 General - Gwinnett | Gwinnett County

There are upcoming activities in our area that are great for friends and families!

Calendar • Lilburn, GA • CivicEngage (cityoflilburn.com)

Special THANK YOU to our Gold tier business sponsors below!

(space is available for more!)

Special THANK YOU to our Silver tier business sponsors below!

(space is available now!)

Interested in becoming a gold or silver tier business sponsor and being featured in our newsletter?



Go to our Contact Us page on our website and choose option "I am interested in supporting your mission as a local business!". One of our directors will reach out to you with details!

Want to get involved in your community?

Join MPCA - Make your community a better place to live. Check out our committees that need volunteers at the link below: Volunteer positions | Mountain Park GA

OR



Let us know you would like to be included on our volunteer opportunities list, and we will contact you when an opportunity arises!

If interested, please fill out this form for more information!

Too busy to volunteer but still want to contribute?

We are now set up to take donations using Zelle! This method allows 100% of your donation to go to MPCA-led community projects and the overall operational costs, including this newsletter, the website, and survey platforms, and informational and promotional items that we use to gain your feedback and keep you informed! We are a 100% volunteer organization. You can use our office email address MPCALife@outlook.com. Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us through our website! (Linked below)

Or you can donate via PayPal by checking out our Donation page on our website!

Note: Donations are NOT tax deductible. 

MPCA is a 501c4. Anyone who makes a donation is welcome to ask for a financial summary of expenses. Just send us an email!

www.MPCA.Life - MPCA is a non-profit, non-partisan civic organization that advocates for residents and businesses in the Mountain Park Community

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