More Groveway Development? 900 Myrtle Street

There are a few things going on in Groveway right now but I won't cover all of those today.  Those are the Frazier Street Apartments, Souther Skillet Property and now the property at 900 Myrtle Street.  Since the council will be voting on a stream buffer variance for a new development at 900 Myrtle tonight, I'll quickly comment on that one.  Here's a rough view of the site with the 21 new residences laid out.  I'm not sure what type of residences these will be (single family or townhome).

We are very excited to see actual residential development coming to Groveway but there are a couple concerns.  

First, this property will be gated.  I think we need fewer gates in our historic center and those that are already up should come down.  Real cities don't gate their neighborhoods.  Suburbs do and those places are called subdivisions.

Second, I can't tell which way the fronts of these buildings will face?  If they are not facing the existing streets, it will be a shame.  Much of the Groveway Code talks about how buildings front the streets and as most New Urban Roswell readers understand, buildings frame great places.

Third, this property sits in the middle of a gigantic block that stretches roughly 1400 feet from Norcross to Hill Street.  If we are truly looking to create a walkable area in the center of our city, we need to cut that distance at least in half.  Truly walkable cities have blocks in the 200-600 foot range.  Those with 1400 foot blocks are almost wholly car dependant because people just won't walk that far.  The developer should consider (if they aren't already) adding a mid-block pedestrian path on the north side of their property.

I guess there will be more to come on this one but as it sits right now, there are some unanswered questions that might lead to some concerns.

Update on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:49AM by Michael D Hadden

I just wanted to follow up here.  Pretty much all of the concerns I had with the initial plan have been eliminated.  The most recent site plan that I got a glimpse of shows a much better use of the space and really works to frame the public realm while creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere for the residents.  When I have a site plan that can be published, I will as it will be some of the better development that we have seen.  I really wish the Chattahoochee & Pine folks had put more thought into their site plan.  

Comments

[scott long]

I notice more gates on apartments than in subdivisions, at least in this area. But i'm with you i'd like to see what they are building here. Hopefully it really embraces the new form-based code and isn't just someone taking advantage of new density entitlements and building the same old thing that developers would have built before the form-based code. Gating it in is not a great start though as you say -- when i see a gate, i think "apartments" and what a nuisance it is to visit anyone behind a gate.

[Randy Schultz]

Live in Providence behind a gate. We are not a subdivision by any stretch of the imagination. Most of us would prefer not to have a gate but if you lived there and experienced the Canton Street patrons wandering through your courtyards, taking pictures on your stoop, and parking in your driveway you might change your mind.
Btw I have lived in London, among other locales, and gated communities surrounding gardens that are for the use of the residents who pay to maintain them are not uncommon. So not all gated communities are in the suburbs.

[Michael D Hadden]

After hearing from the developer, I'm reassured that these concerns are under consideration. From what I hear, the design team is top notch. Also, if the gate is set up to access the rear of the buildings, It's a non issue.

@Randy I understand the need for the gate in the Providence situation. Not to sound too hypocritical but I'm moving to a gated subdivision in the near future. That is in spite of the gate which I'd be ecstatic to see removed. In most cases, I think there are other interventions rather than a gate that can accomplish the desired effect of keeping traffic down, reducing crime and retaining privacy for the residents.