Developers seeking a zoning change for a 280-apartment complex in Brookhaven’s Perimeter Summit quietly withdrew their application at the city’s April 28 council meeting.
High Street Residential, the residential subsidiary of developer Trammell Crow Company, wants to build 280 apartments on a vacant 2.7-acre parcel that is zoned for a 12-story office building.
Residents living near the proposed development at Perimeter Summit have been airing their concerns at planning commission and community meetings about multi-family overdevelopment and the impact it will have on property values in the area.
The council voted unanimously to accept the application withdrawal. Before the vote, Council Member Michael Diaz acknowledged the residents who were attending the meeting, and thanked the developers for reaching out to the community for input.
“I certainly appreciate the good conversations you have had with the developer. . . and I just want to highlight how important it is for us to look at the Perimeter area comprehensively,” Diaz said.
Public applauds withdrawal
Resident Eric Hovdesven, during the public comment portion of the meeting that while he was pleased about the application withdrawal, said he is aware of other apartment complexes being proposed in the same area.
“It’s important for us to keep these office buildings alive,” he said. “They are at 60% now and there is talk of office buildings filling up again.”
Mary Ruth Kearney said she echoed Hovdesven’s concerns, especially when it comes to adding cars to an already overburdened Ashford Dunwoody Road
“It’s impossible to get around, and there’s already not even parking there for people to take advantage of the recreational facilities [at Murphey Candler Park],” she said. “I understand the need for people to have affordable housing, but I just don’t know if we can fit more people on these roads.”
At the April 20 community meeting, Scott Kirchoff, a principal at Trammell Crow, said the development will turn the area into “a vibrant mixed-use environment.”
Compared to an office complex, the apartments would result in a 40% reduction in traffic overall, and 77% during peak hours, he said.
Parking would be reduced from 1,000 spaces to 375, and trails would be built around the Perimeter Summit property to promote walkability. In addition, plans include building pocket parks and a 10,000 square-foot community green space gathering area.
Kirchoff also pushed back against residents who have labeled the project as a “squeeze job” that will move ahead despite residents’ concerns.
It’s unclear from the meeting dialogue whether or not High Street Residential would return with a modified application.
