[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6260680,"mediaKeyId","3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f","parentId",3128894,"title","Council reviews Stone Haven site plan; developer says 85-lot gated community would start development this summer","audioSeconds",1488,"startMs",709000,"endMs",2197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f&start=709&end=2197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f/thumbnail_709000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260680/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-reviews-Stone-Haven-site-plan-developer-says-85-lot-gated-community-would-start-development-this-summer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260680-950fe40978e469157e161986edbcc9c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829686&Signature=UQeiO~yHXj1j1psGxocqekA6VFFgF~9yE0mI5wGIEy8s4IhczvKR7XgKD5xG6Xvqs6D-qZHFr1kzK~8nFldN5VUsjhNskFQaL2dItla4Hwvzuw2fjQGh4x5ZubG3apxjhfz1Qu-QdnF-OaDnogqRPZnn1HON9pFZu5YqgIpJE0NbCBN0RmnHT8QTpzM4bcZI4aTkFhwDIv1fJSHx2babvJtK--lmSxts9dIVrksuZZZEPm42XUEESkkOqUUzl83xfhiPiP17GLlPfSxM1vOSAwtiOadB2UocJE0lhxdpMMJ1wXfjQ9EeMn3R0-YoV4mgpH4iOR~l5PIddQtgwq0vSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-26T04:20:54.77Z","article","Developers presented the Stone Haven site plan — previously referred to as Diamond Creek — for a gated 85‑lot subdivision located along Highway 81 between Jersey Walnut Grove Road and Old 81.

The presenter (identified in the transcript as Mr. Chriswell) described a gated community with roughly 85 lots (reduced from an earlier 95), a larger recreation area, an Olympic‑sized community pool, pickleball courts, playground and a cabana. He said the community would be gated with a resident gate and separate guest access; emergency access and fire department entry mechanisms (map box or radio-triggered gate access) were discussed.

On schedule and permitting, the presenter told the council: “if we could get started this year say we get started developing, so we could start clearing trees, breaking ground this summer, let's say it's around dinner, July. It would take a year to develop, and then we'd start building. So say if we start developing this summer in July, it'll be July 2026 when the first home is built.” The developer added that utilities and site work (roads, water and storm infrastructure) would be installed during the development phase; he said there is no sewer connection planned for the subdivision and lots will rely on on‑site septic systems where needed.

Joe Walter, Walnut Grove planning and zoning administrator, told council staff had completed engineering review and that reviewing agencies included Walton County Water, Walton County Fire, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and local engineering reviewers. “To the best of my knowledge, they have obtained all approvals that's necessary to get to be eligible to get a permit,” Walter said. He noted some coordination with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and that interactions with the Georgia Department of Transportation will factor into planned turn‑radius and intersection improvements on Highway 81.

Walter also said the site contains an existing cemetery that has been designated open space; the cemetery sits near Lots 80–85 and staff expects an access easement for descendants and family members as the subdivision proceeds.

Council members and residents asked detailed operational questions about the gates (how mail, delivery services and emergency responders would access the development), gate materials, whether amenities would be completed with the first houses, and whether the homeowner association would assume responsibility for private streets, storm infrastructure and long‑term maintenance. The developer said amenities would be permitted separately and that HOA fees would fund road and storm infrastructure maintenance because the subdivision’s gated configuration would keep those elements private rather than city‑maintained.

Planning staff asked the council to place the Stone Haven site plan on an upcoming council agenda for final action after staff provides the permit package and supporting agency approvals. Walter said he would provide additional documentation and recommended council consider the item at a May meeting; at one point the mayor referenced the council’s next meeting on May 18 for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04-24-2025 City Council Meeting and Public Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Developers presented the Stone Haven site plan — previously referred to as Diamond Creek — for a gated 85‑lot subdivision along Highway 81 and described timelines, amenities and permitting status.","taxTitle","Walnut Grove, Walton County, Georgia","taxId",74351,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260685,"Council schedules vote on Church at the Grove design variances after planning commission recommendation",431,168000,599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f&start=168&end=599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f/thumbnail_168000.jpg","/articles/6260685/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-schedules-vote-on-Church-at-the-Grove-design-variances-after-planning-commission-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260685-73752bfbc9bc11f58cffb25765e69615/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829686&Signature=Tinq4MwdLLkCxN-G2DNM6MpM65rTSgYr~GnHGhYAnGgKMSrYfQx3Y6GkDxnZZKVk49a4VSjxYSF4hryc~sLxQ~6sh8rUlZ1eNz65PUNWOp7hUAx3IlDyOHgYyVfU2hUJKLwFgp6BNAvzAi5kWphYy5k8DTL5YN6Q3HP24a-gcDvacO2Gtq5vueuSi3ZTLOgXlAD-Y3qPZZd5kXzBJ5bDHtNUMSuC6d54ia7DAWxQJ7qc5M5RsfHNyDkSLeYCkcagJfwfkTj1f2WCL5SdNEMUAEtSBwKPzH3InPH3JSHqF~MfNc3ESU5FYxnfrm3tx4rAoLAN9J9c4qFcxaFeX1jczA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walnut Grove City Council opened a public hearing on a variance request from SBC Construction Group, representing Church at the Grove, to diverge from two elements of the city’s Downtown Overlay District design requirements.

Joe Walter, Walnut Grove planning and zoning administrator, told the council the applicant sought two variances: permission to use exterior metal building panels in the Downtown Overlay (the ordinance generally does not allow that material except in limited circumstances) and permission for front windows to extend “all the way to the slab” rather than stopping at the traditional visible sill line.

The planning staff review and the Planning & Zoning Commission both recommended that the council consider approving the variances. “In our opinion, the granting of this variance wouldn't impair wouldn't give them any other special privilege or impair the the look and feel of the district,” Walter said during the hearing.

The applicant’s representative did not appear at the council hearing; Walter said the council had seen the building design and materials in previous reviews. Walter also described the metal panel system as metal on the exterior with insulation and foam within the wall assembly and added that the system is less expensive and “it's greener.”

No members of the public spoke against the variance; one attendee asked for clarification about the proposed wall system and whether the windows would extend to ground level. Planning staff confirmed the window request and the metal panel material used on the building elevations submitted with the application.

Mayor (unnamed) asked for a motion to place the item on the council agenda so a decision could be made at the next meeting. The mayor recommended the council put the variance on the agenda for the next business meeting, May 8, for a final vote.

If approved by the council, the variances would permit the Church at the Grove to use modern metal panel cladding and full-height storefront glazing on the building frontage within the Downtown Overlay District; the council debate and vote will determine whether those exceptions to the overlay’s design rules are allowed.","A public hearing was held on a request from SBC Construction Group on behalf of Church at the Grove for two variances to the Downtown Overlay District design rules. Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended council consideration; the council was asked to place the item on the next meeting agenda for a final decision.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6260675,"Council amends agenda, agrees to add GMA ballot to next meeting and adjourns",1887,614000,2501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f&start=614&end=2501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3128894-ce8b1bb929f5c25e8c7c85762d9c459f/thumbnail_614000.jpg","/articles/6260675/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-amends-agenda-agrees-to-add-GMA-ballot-to-next-meeting-and-adjourns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260675-1acd155e4d23a7f0888918035e06d79b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829686&Signature=RYWIKMiMbp7SEmmxq0cb8vjG8oEAFZ509qCKGXp9RpLDUeciIhX94Pswy5VOSZExt7XFC7oEilZfHZJE3VG6mIkd2smYDHn8rLfSsXIAR5yJAD1uWhGxajOoF7tVly932m9KhCp7v4DsMSaZQjbd09m8JHFXCFZlCFVdoxwVOJX0HZM3VM-Is2L8SvyBXW6cSqtoyNRhtQQNU6vWuEWDIKnbG5AuTPPtN5hp8Lt1lT5zz-mkdd1aGq7Y9mONeaTzE3AP0LV6HbD72nbakyAvOhxXOUuBHbsTGOGGiXFjZIQuaGQQH9HXAzHnSxuSD1D-Cbmh9h9m0jJuOyzcCLG7MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walnut Grove City Council amended its agenda during the regular meeting and voted unanimously to remove an item from old business.

A council member moved to amend the agenda “to include removing item 1 from old business, Michaelaise Brainscape.” The motion was seconded and the council chair declared the amendment approved unanimously.

Council members also discussed a GMA District 5 ballot (nominees included Kurt Ward, Amanda Willis, John Howard and Daniel Graves) and agreed to add that ballot to the next council agenda for a formal vote. Staff indicated the ballot packet had been distributed to members in advance.

At the close of the meeting a member moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and the council voted to adjourn.","The Walnut Grove City Council amended the meeting agenda to remove an old-business item, agreed to add a Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) District 5 ballot to the next agenda for a vote, and then adjourned. The amendment passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews Stone Haven site plan; developer says 85-lot gated community would start development this summer

Council schedules vote on Church at the Grove design variances after planning commission recommendation

Council amends agenda, agrees to add GMA ballot to next meeting and adjourns