Alpharetta approves new Rucker subdivision At corner of Rucker and Wills roads

October 30, 2013

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A new 28-home subdivision was approved on Rucker Road Oct. 28 by the Alpharetta City Council at their weekly meeting.

The development is an 8.65 acre property at the corner of Rucker Road and Wills Road. It is across the street from Wills Park and the American Legion Post 201.

Council finally approved the development with some changes to the original plan. The biggest was removing one of the proposed entrances. Instead of one entrance on Rucker Road and one on Wills Road, council removed the Rucker access point. This was done for several reasons. Firstly, two entrances for 28 homes struck council as excessive. Secondly, planned improvements to Rucker Road might force the Rucker entrance to be a right-in, right-out access. Finally, by removing the Rucker entrance, the homes along the street can be placed further apart. Instead of 10 feet apart, they can be 20 feet apart, a desire council was interested to make happen.

"More access is better," said Councilmember Chris Owens, "but it's 28 homes."

The large tree on the corner of Rucker and Wills roads will be saved and land around it turned into a small park. However, three large pecan trees will likely be lost for construction.

On the property are two homes that are more than 100 years old. While the applicant initially approached the Alpharetta Historical Society about relocating the buildings, the society had no space to which they could relocate the homes. Instead, the developer proposed paying $10,000 to the society. The owner of the homes told council that while the exterior was a century old, a century of residents had gutted anything of historic significance.

This donation was ultimately removed from the motion to approve.

The development passed with a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Michael Cross, Owens and Mike Kennedy opposed.

Also at the meeting:

Council approved a change to the Parkway 400 master plan. This covers property across the street from Avalon, where two large office buildings are built. The plan calls for a third building, however the owners wished to increase the density of the development from 265,000 square feet to 630,000 square feet and add a 10,000 square foot restaurant.

There would also be two parking decks added.

Council approved the changes, noting that the area has seen significant density come to surrounding properties.

"This area is exploding and this is just the beginning of what will take place around Avalon," said Councilmember Jim Gilvin. The argument cuts both ways, held by both supporters and opponents of the change.

The development was approved 6-1, with Gilvin opposed.