Lanier Lifestyle : Frequently Asked Questions

Has Lanier Golf Course been sold?
No. There is a contract made by Wellstone Communities, Inc. However, there are numerous contract conditions that must be met before a sale can take place.
Has the golf course been rezoned already from Agricultural to Activity Center?
No. The property has not been rezoned. However, it has designated on the future land use map as an Activity Center. The map serves as a guide to what *might* be an appropriate future use for the property.
What is an "Activity Center"?
According to the Buford Subarea Land Use Report prepared by Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc., this is the definition of Activity Center:

The Activity Center land use category includes commercial, entertainment, limited residential, and public/institutional land uses typically found in a central business district. The commercial business district (CBD) and urban village (UV) zoning classifications are consider appropriate for developments proposed within the Activity Center classification. Developments within the Activity Center classification may be encouraged to consider additional zoning classifications, based on future revisions to the Forsyth County Unified Development Code. The types of uses that are desirable in this area would be restaurants, specialty retail, governmental offices, low-intensity offices (e.g., accountant or real estate office), and appropriate parking. Uses should be complemented with walking, biking and transit opportunities to provide alternative modes of transportation. Also, any roadway improvements that are considered for this area should carefully consider the scale of the area. Residential uses shall be considered accessory and limited to townhouses or apartments mixed into the commercial establishments. Commercial uses must be developed or present first in comparable scale before residential uses can be permitted for construction.
What do the prospective buyers plan to build on the 176 acres of golf course land?
We don't know. The buyers have not provided their plans as of May 1, 2006. In addition, they have missed two deadlines for submission of these plans. While the prospective buyer is a relatively large developer/builder, the buyer does not have full knowledge as to how the land might reasonably be developed. The have contractually agreed upon time to those determinations.
Can the property automatically be rezoned?
No. A change in zoning is not automatic or simple. Our elected County Commissioners have a number of determinations to make before an application for rezoning is approved or denied.

Some of these include the following:

1) Is the proposed use compatible with the adjacent/nearby property uses?
2) Will the proposed use adversely affect the adjacent/nearby properties?
3) Does the property have reasonable economic use as presently zoned?
4) Are the existing or planned roads, schools, utilities, etc. going to be overburdened by a rezoning change?
5) Does the proposed use conform with the policy and intent of the land use plan?
6) Is the property physically and environmentally suited for the proposed development?
We're just homeowners going up against a big corporation. There is nothing we can do to stop the inevitable.
WRONG! We have legal rights and a moral obligation to stop a rezoning proposal that would destroy a vibrant, long-established, low-density residential community.
Who should I be contacting to indicate my opposition to the proposed rezoning?
Contact the County Commissioners via letter and let them know that you want to maintain the integrity of the community.