Development approved r several tweaks

Gwinnett officials gave final approval Tuesday to a controversial proposal to build a retirement community near a busy intersection — but made a few tweaks first.

The project would be built on 56 acres just east of the intersection of Webb Gin House Road and Scenic Highway in the Lawrenceville-Snellville area. ASC Acquisitions LLC originally proposed to build more than 400 senior-oriented units, as well as more than 77,000 square feet of potential office and retail space.

Groups of neighbors took issue with the development, and specifically the possible office and retail use, at previous meetings. The new conditions imposed on the developer Tuesday afternoon before the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ vote on the project reflected some of those concerns.

“I think you’ll find that nobody is completely happy with all of these conditions, but I think that it’s middle ground and something that everybody can live with,” District 4 Commission John Heard, who represents the area, said.

Among other conditions, Heard inserted language that restricts uses like copy shops, hair salons and tutoring centers from being a part of the development.

Heard’s tweaks also included limiting buildings nearest the street to four stories and building in the rear of the property to three stories.