Lanier Lifestyle : Potential Buyers

Potential Buyers

This page contains information about potential buyers for the Lanier Golf Course property. It includes information received from meetings, emails, and phone calls.

THIS INFORMATION IS VERY OLD - SEE THE HOME PAGE FOR CURRENT INFORMATION - PROVIDED FOR HISTORICAL CONTEXT ONLY

WELLSTONE COMMUNITIES HAS LOST THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION FOR REZONING LANIER GOLF COURSE - AUGUST 28, 2007 and also the Commissioners voted to deny rezoning on Sept. 20, 2007.

There is a signed contract between the owners of Lanier Golf Club and Wellstone Communities and Cornerstone Ministries Investments, Inc. for the sale and development of the golf course property. More about the relationship between Wellstone and Cornerstone Ministries - click here

A meeting was held on Monday, March 6, 2006 between our group and the buyers at the Cumming offices of the buyer's attorney. Our attorney (see item #4 below) attended as well, representing our group.

The developer is financially backed by an organization whose experience and plans suggest the property will have mixed usage: multi-unit rental senior housing with commercial development for retail and services to support the senior housing along Buford Dam Rd. Higher density single family or multi-unit residential housing may be proposed for the remaining portions of this property, which will border adjacent existing detached single family residential communities. Impact from the area being developed will be years before completion, with any outcome drastically altering the current landscape and personality of this portion of Forsyth County leading to the scenic approach to Lake Lanier and Buford Dam.
We have retained very experienced and capable legal counsel to advise and represent our interests to restrict any rezoning or development on this property. This will be expensive but the alternative of doing nothing will be more costly to Forsyth county residents and Buford Dam recreational area communities surrounding the golf course property. Please click here to make a secure donation today.

Minutes from Meeting Held with Wellstone

March 6, 2006

Meeting With Wellstone Communities

The homeowners committee, accompanied by their attorney Gibson Dean, met with John Lowery from Wellstone Communities and Jack Wehmiller from Cornerstone Group. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future plans for developing the Lanier Golf Course. The following information was presented to us:

Activity Center zoning requires that 25% of the property must be commercial. That means 42 acres. Because their company has been involved with senior residential housing (75-85 years old), they are proposing that instead of a strip mall type of commercial area, they incorporate senior rental housing, similar to assisted living, on that acreage. These structures would be no more than 35 ft. high (2-3 stories) and would contain facilities necessary for most seniors needs. That would include food service, barber and beauty shops, etc. The average rent for these apartments would be around $2500. This area would be concentrated along Buford Dam Rd. and where the existing driving range is located. We do not know at this time how many units will be built or the exact layout.
They suggested that the remaining 130 acres would be allotted to detached homes in the $350,000 to $500,000 +/- range. The goal is to build these homes with a density of 2.5-2.8 houses per acre. Note: The builder's history has been in the $100K - $300K range and no site nor construction plans were presented for our inspection nor have any been processed with the County as of this date. There are many other options available to the developer if zoning does not restrict what can be built on this property. There are no guarantees that, if zoning permits higher density, that any single family detached homes would be built on this property at all.
At the present time Wellstone has hired an engineering company to do the required environmental studies and to do the survey and layout of buildable land.
They have also hired an architectural firm to make the initial drawings showing the desired street, green space and building layout.
It is anticipated that all this can be completed in 60-90 days. We will be kept aware of the results of any engineering studies and will have access to this data. The actual application for the desired zoning change will take place after all these plans are shared with the homeowners group. With this in mind, remember that the zoning process itself will involve many departments in planning, zoning and other government organizations. This process can take 6-8 months.
Jack Wehmiller explained that Cornerstone was basically the banker for this development and that Wellstone was a sister Corporation. The history of Cornerstone has centered on church financing, affordable housing and retirement centers. From our research on the internet we have concluded that the relationship should be further explored and Mr. Wehmiller has indicated that he is available for any questions concerning their history or involvement in this development. This project will be a higher end product than many of the other communities Wellstone has built and we have explained to them that we are concerned that this project could change at some time in the future and conform more to their normal type of development. We are also concerned that the zoning, if granted, would authorize up to 6 units per acre and that we need guarantees that what we see is what we get. Mr. Lowery lives at Vickory Square and realizes that it is not what we want. He tried to convince us that if the property is sold, Wellstone will give us a better chance of having a development that we will be able to accept. He stressed that the retirement community will be less intrusive than a commercial area and generates less traffic. There is a tremendous amount at stake here, both financially and emotionally. Our position is simply that we are willing to listen to their proposal, but with all the property available in Forsyth County, this project does not seem to conform to the needs of our community.
We also discussed the long range process that a project this size would need. They have estimated that at present sales goals, this project would take up to 60 months to complete. This would not include the 6-8 months for zoning changes and would start at the beginning of construction. As you can see this means we will be saddled with all of the inconvenience of this construction for years. If there is a slow down in sales this could be almost endless. It is very important therefore, that we participate in the initial planning phase to see that this is as un-obtrusive as possible. It is likely that the front 42 acres would be started first and the retirement buildings completed while roads were laid out in the back. However, until we see the initial layout and get down to business, there is no way to know how all this will be accomplished.
We know that there are many unanswered questions. Jack and George are no longer involved in this next process and therefore it seems a waste of time to ask their opinion or to discuss what the builder may or may not do. Our attorney is exploring the various options that may be available to us in the future, but at this time we ask your patience and understanding. Any questions that you have can be directed to the website and we will pursue the answers to the best of our ability.
Let me close with this simple request. STAY INVOLVED. Talk to your neighbors about this subject. Make sure that they understand what we are trying to accomplish. No matter how this project is presented, it still results in increased traffic and decreased enjoyment of our property. Let your government representatives know how you feel. Please contribute to the fund that we have started to pay for attorneys, engineers and other expenses. Our ability to compete in this arena is a direct function of your involvement and contributions.