Tucker, GA — Tucker Planning Commission gave the green light to rezoning an office park at 2245 and 2247 Northlake Parkway to build 80 townhomes. 

Steve Martin, managing principal of SDM Partners real estate investor, purchased the land in late 2017 for $41 million. The applicant requested to change zoning from NL-2 (office) to NL-4 (Vista Dale Court) to allow for a residential development, and a concurrent variance to increase lot coverage by 2%. 

The land, comprised of two parcels, now features two office buildings. The building at 2245 Northlake Parkway once served as the longtime headquarters for Yellow Pages, but has since fallen into disrepair. Developers plan to demolish the building and replace it with townhomes for rent only. The rear office building and parking deck will remain.

The 2247 building is 295,000 sq. ft, 10 stories and backs up to a seven-level parking garage with nearly 1,200 parking spaces. It has been vacant for three years, but Martin says it is in “good condition.”

According to a city staff memo, leaving the rear parcel as an office building provides separation between the single-family homes in the Winding Woods neighborhood and the proposed higher density rental townhome development. However, staff said “the transition of zoning districts is not what is typically desired. Ideally, you transition low density single-family detached to medium/high density residential product such as townhomes, to commercial/office development.” 

“No one has a vested interest here than my partners and I do, relative to these townhouses and what goes on with them. We’re not just rezoning a piece of land and leaving and selling it. We’re married at the hip with it,” said Martin.    

City staff recommended denial of the rezoning application, presenting a 27-point list of suggestions for the developer. After discussion with the developer, who agreed to all of the terms, the Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to pass the rezoning and concurrent variance with conditions. 

Planning Commission chair Katherine Atteberry voted against the motion. She said she didn’t feel enough information was provided to approve a rezoning, and suggested the applicant could work on giving more detail to City Council. 

“I do think townhomes and the mixed-use elements are attractive and provide good opportunity,” she said.  

David Frame and Adam Lorry, founding principals of Landeaver, LLC, said previously they plan to develop the three- and four-bedroom townhomes to be rented at $2,500 to $2,700 per month.  

The application will be presented to City Council on May 10.