The Wharf
Requesting zoning be changed from R1 (1 acre lots) to MP-R (high density multi-use)
STATUS:
Planning board approved and City Council approved first reading.
the developer withdrew its application.
Georgetown City Council gives first reading approval for "The Wharf" annexation and rezoning
Scott Harper/GAB News•
Apr 22, 2024
The property expected to become “The Wharf” is one Georgetown City Council vote away from having the annexation and rezoning requirements needed to become a reality.
On Thursday, council gave first reading approval to annexing 5.2 acres into the city limits. The property is located adjacent to the parking lot of the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex at the south end of the Maryville Bridge.
In total, 19.4 acres will be used for 121 raised town homes in 23 clusters. The homes will be on pilings because the area is in a flood zone. Most of the homes will have three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
About 14 acres of the tract were already within the city limits and did not require annexation. But the entire site needs to be rezoned to Master Plan residential.
Councilwoman Tamika Williams-Obeng, during Thursday’s meeting, asked about the prices of the homes once they are built.
During last month’s Planning Commission meeting, Georgetown Planner Peter Gaytan said the price of the homes will be between $350,000 to $440,000.
Williams-Obeng, asked during Thursday’s meeting, asked Gaytan if it is possible to require the developer to set aside some of the property for some less expensive homes.
“I know this is not an affordable housing issue, so I want to be respectful to the developer. But can we at least talk about attainable housing?” she asked. “Possibly considering at least one-third of that property, which would be 40 units, at a price point around $150,000.?”
She said local residents will be “priced out” of The Wharf at the prices being suggested by the developers.
She said at $150,000 a “firefighter, police officer, or schoolteacher” may have a chance of living in the new development.
Gaytan said “it is very hard” to require a developer to provide “attainable housing” prices because there is no such requirement in any city ordinance.
The vote to approve the annexation and rezoning was 6-1 with Williams-Obeng casting the lone “no” vote.
The issue will be up for final reading May 16.
If it is built it will be called The Wharf and will be in the land area adjacent to the parking lot at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex at the south end of the Maryville Bridge.
On Tuesday night, the Georgetown Planning Commission approved a request to annex and rezone a tract of land near the boat landing to Master Planned Residential.