Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 04 Super District 06
Application of EcoSlay, LLC c/o Battle Law, P.C. to rezone property from MR-1 (Medium Density Residential-1) zoning district to C-1 (Local Commercial) zoning district for a general business office and commercial greenhouse, at 3792 Memorial College Drive.
Body
PETITION NO: N1-2025-1620 Z-26-1247832
PROPOSED USE: Business office and commercial greenhouse.
LOCATION: 3792 Memorial College Drive, Clarkston, Georgia 30021
PARCEL NO. : 18 067 02 032
INFO. CONTACT: Andrea Folgherait, Sr. Planner
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of EcoSlay, LLC c/o Battle Law, P.C. to rezone property from MR-1 (Medium Density Residential-1) zoning district to C-1 (Local Commercial) zoning district for a general business office and commercial greenhouse
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: (Dec. 2025) Approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION: (Jan. 6, 2026) Approval with a condition.
PLANNING STAFF: Approval with Conditions_rev. 01.14.2026.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The Applicant is seeking a rezoning from MR-1 (Medium Density Residential-1) zoning district to C-1 (Local Commercial) zoning district for a general business office and commercial greenhouse. The Applicant grows organic herbs to produce and assemble hair care products at a small scale. Previously the subject site was child daycare. The Applicant will use the existing building as is with no interior or exterior renovations proposed. The subject site falls within a Town Center (TC) Character Area calling for high density, mixed-use, pedestrian focused land uses (Pg 33. 2050 Unified Plan). Based on the materials submitted, Staff finds that the proposal could be better aligned with both the TC Character Area and the requested C-1 zoning designation. The C-1 district typically involves public interaction and/or on-site retail sales, which are not clearly established in the current proposal. To support TC goals, the use should include opportunities for pedestrian activity and customer engagement. The surrounding area consists primarily of institutional uses, student populations, and multi-family residential developments, indicating a context for supportive, walkable, service-oriented uses. MARTA has provided project review comments (enclosed), noting the subject site’s proximity to a planned pedestrian improvement at N. Indian Creek Drive and Memorial College Avenue, intended to enhance connectivity. Given these planned infrastructure improvements, MARTA recommended maintaining the existing MR-1 zoning or considering a denser residential or mixed-use designation rather than rezoning to C-1. However, due to the parcel’s size and limited buildable area, Staff finds the proposed use generally appropriate as a small-scale local business, provided it is modified to better align with TC objectives. While an assembly room may be reasonable given the nature of the business, manufacturing activities constitute an industrial use, which is inconsistent with the TC Character Area and would not be permitted. Additionally, the property is legally nonconforming pursuant to Section 27-8.1.6, which affects the required transitional buffer for C-1 and R-85 zoning. The site also does not meet all C-1 dimensional standards outlined in Section 27-2.24.1. Should future site improvements be proposed, variances and/or relocation of the business may be necessary. Rezoning the property primarily for assembly purposes without customer interaction or pedestrian-oriented activity does not support the long-term vision for this area. While the concept of a small commercial use along this corridor may be appropriate, the proposed zoning district and business operations must be mutually supportive and consistent with the TC Character Area. Accordingly, Staff has proposed “Approval with the attached conditions” to ensure alignment with TC goals and the intent of the C-1 district.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: (January 6, 2026) Approval w/Condition. Commissioner Osler moved, Commissioner Costello seconded for approval with the condition that there be a retail and personal care component, relating to hair care services.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: (December 2025) Approval 8-0-0.