[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6179848,"mediaKeyId","5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc","parentId",5122373,"title","Henry County approves 1,277‑acre \"The Grove\" master development agreement with conditions and water oversight questions","audioSeconds",1978,"startMs",4575000,"endMs",6553000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc&start=4575&end=6553","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc/thumbnail_4575000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179848/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-approves-1277acre-The-Grove-master-development-agreement-with-conditions-and-water-oversight-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179848-4a110d773d665dfde1e639cd91242e96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457051&Signature=c0~Jn27pSKoJoFlqYZUgkLuqmvS2Q9z520G0sKszVZt06VYOE-LzFlROb4r5FFwMQZlFEI0D5S8M~6JW1IEID6Ql93hMRuf5eEzZq2-WM6xFHV67F0Six-FYZJDr5-MmSM96N4UxVnbREOCKjeZ90GaHNeBRliS6r9-PUN4fgrmq8iB4VUgZGkaCBT79NBEPRtSeTlWZxJ-qeBR~jL8LVd5GvyZNE63O3oIJn6BJPP1IbjxAnakx7~h-CQyYEDkqnQNIwVdKPerbVZXcBvdKilk1vSmDKdn3cKC4LgZCDURWpHwWZxDp~OFjVE4qv~oreqghZWAcqe04sRdGWAXtHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-02T04:14:19Z","article","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 approved a master development agreement for The Grove, a 1,277‑acre mixed‑use master plan presented by developer GSM Capital, with two minor textual revisions and one commissioner abstention.

The agreement sets a 40‑year framework for buildout and governance of the site and lays out a mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses that staff and the applicant say will be implemented in phases. Patrick Brooks, vice president of GSM Capital, told the board the developer has received a conditional “will‑serve” letter from Clayton County Water Authority and that the project team has reduced multifamily unit counts and added a 10% cap on single family rentals since the March rezoning approval. “We received a conditional will serve letter from Clayton County Water Authority,” Brooks said during his presentation.

The Grove matters because of its scale and the services, infrastructure and environmental protections it will require. Staff described the development as including nearly 2,500 single‑family homes, about 2,760 multifamily units, roughly 670,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, about 1.3 million square feet of office and institutional space, a 180‑room hotel, more than 150 acres of open space, eight miles of trails, multiple parks and a donated seven‑acre site reserved for a future public safety complex that county and developer say will serve police and fire operations.

County staff emphasized that the development agreement governs land‑use, phasing, design standards and an internal master plan committee but does not itself create utility service contracts. “The agreement does not and cannot bind either authority,” staff said, referring to the Clayton County Water Authority and Henry County Water Authority. Clayton County Water Authority CEO Bernard Franks, who attended the meeting, told the board his agency has been engaged on water and sewer feasibility and noted stormwater and water‑quality protections are a priority: “We do have, a measure concern as the gentleman mentioned about stormwater,” he said.

During the public hearing, neighbors and a water‑management professional urged caution on water quality and stormwater controls. A resident, Carl Conbrane, described himself as a Georgia‑certified water, wastewater and stormwater operator and said the board should prioritize water quality protections. The county’s presentation notes the applicant provided a will‑serve letter but that a separate servicing agreement must be executed between the developer and the utility provider.

The board vote approved the development agreement with two staff‑proposed text changes: an added undisturbed vegetative buffer along Shoal Creek Reservoir (staff stated this as a 100‑foot buffer in the presentation) and the removal of a nonstandard legal clause. During the public discussion Clayton County’s representative later referenced a 150‑foot buffer during remarks, a difference staff said would be addressed through coordination with the water authority and in the utility servicing agreement. The county manager and staff said utility and stormwater service agreements are separate and remain subject to each utility’s independent approval processes.

Commissioners said they reviewed the agreement with multiple county attorneys and planning staff over several months. Several commissioners and staff described the development agreement as the document that will guide design, phasing and standards for the site; it will not itself substitute for later utility, permitting or construction approvals. The board approved the agreement; the motion carried and one commissioner abstained, citing remaining concerns about utility approvals that must be finalized by the water authority.

What’s next: if Clayton County Water Authority or another utility ultimately declines to enter a service agreement, the developer and the county would need to resolve who will service the site before full infrastructure construction proceeds. The development agreement requires separate, standard permits and utility servicing agreements before construction and does not, by itself, authorize infrastructure hookups.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting | July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 approved a master development agreement for The Grove, a 1,277‑acre mixed‑use master plan presented by GSM Capital, with two minor textual revisions and one commissioner abstention.","taxTitle","Henry County, Georgia","taxId",12817,"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},6179832,"Henry County upholds zoning board denial; owner must move or remove accessory structure built without permits",1820,2721000,4541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc&start=2721&end=4541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc/thumbnail_2721000.jpg","/articles/6179832/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-upholds-zoning-board-denial-owner-must-move-or-remove-accessory-structure-built-without-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179832-f7b54159ae5e0fe060daf0be5a9f157b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457051&Signature=GFCiFq4JuzS6r9yajeStjau6c5VziVfnqBECpw~EQ-PyAiAqFPS1oDvhKEg3tEtdAb6nUrems3ZpPkIcLcxE7mZZgWUmI4aj3gfm4ulP1bg2-WL9TiyEYr8N3SbWsO2EAxr07WGVaAVhCcZ67TgvUOoYmMxL7Nunsmv0cML9qutuuEATRu6JRP0C3M3R2~ife1gtcjGvI-zrTIsHY3z50jSgFTgwrmxqwQx4jHlRGrGZLePTs83B2p2ufuTZdhHXuDeXbKP093o6VWe0d3JvY6rIuCELbEJNQ7y7AIq9Ezw49OxNa53PxBI68TMk-4-XxZfN8QcDb~RdpgrnFIWuMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 upheld a Zoning Advisory Board decision denying a variance request for an accessory structure at 4304 Rolfe Court, finding the structure did not meet minimum setback requirements and was constructed without required permits.

Staff presented the case: the property is zoned Planned Development (underlying POD designation R‑3) and accessory structures are subject to the Unified Land Development Code setback requirement of 10 feet from side and rear property lines. Staff showed site photos and said the existing accessory structure sits about three feet from the side and rear lines. Code enforcement received a complaint on Aug. 27, 2024; the applicant later submitted a building permit application on March 6, 2025. The Zoning Advisory Board denied the applicant’s variance request on May 8, 2025; the owner appealed that denial to the Board of Commissioners.

During the public hearing, staff and code enforcement said construction had continued and a stop‑work order had been placed after the complaint. Code enforcement (Santos) said the owner initially submitted an application for a “tiny home” that was denied, then submitted a different application for a shed; construction continued and code enforcement documented the work and issued a stop‑work order and citation for building without a permit and for being too close to property lines.

The applicant spoke at length, describing family circumstances, saying he intended the structure to “depict my house” and that he had used a neighbor’s guidance on locating property pins. The applicant said his contractor supplied incorrect paperwork and that he had paid fines. In his remarks the applicant said, “I only make this shed to depict my house. It's not a tiny house.”

County commissioners first called for a motion to uphold the zoning board denial, briefly voted and then, at counsel’s suggestion, reconsidered and allowed the applicant to present additional comments. After the applicant’s remarks and further discussion, the Board again voted to uphold the Zoning Advisory Board’s denial of relief from dimensional standards. Staff advised that the applicant may move the structure to comply with the 10‑foot setbacks or remove it; if the applicant appeals the board’s denial to court, the structure may remain in place until the appeal is resolved. Staff also said the applicant has 30 days to initiate a court appeal following denial.

","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 upheld a Zoning Advisory Board decision denying a variance request for an accessory structure at 4304 Rolfe Court, finding the structure did not meet the Unified Land Development Code’s 10‑foot side and rear setbacks and had been built without required permits.",{"_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},6179833,"Henry County approves SPLOST 6 purchase of ladder, pumper and ambulance for new Station 18",179,1433000,1612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc&start=1433&end=1612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc/thumbnail_1433000.jpg","/articles/6179833/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-approves-SPLOST-6-purchase-of-ladder-pumper-and-ambulance-for-new-Station-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179833-d48340356fda82dbeb45f2f5bccf61ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457051&Signature=J0CKATQlyyRqgHqL9RzFjl7rTsAWR-NJ8eNM0ypGYRZPIKq4Nuf8DnbBwiql4h95rTEPV9mKzA-qHEMt5udxtRKEZQLOEQ4ZAkKkFEaSWL-LNV4IAtDac5qjQbrcusq8nUqOmXqOmJzIVeHC5u51~TUGsaz3FziUUBkwVtdgMlhHTYpRuY~jtC0G6zMFtlOM6ZBHrXJz5-sBAgXdD~rlcrKMKZ3-Re4HBiasPhRbSBCFYuhFslIdYBjqVUClqCJsxnBcdErcAZAYC~FEzzO~k38DFpzC5CKVchZ2T4ngXnwYp8D20tUtwDTFBg0IvIatxSrhPSCrAercjMrsRQMyNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henry County commissioners on July 1 approved the purchase of firefighting and emergency medical apparatus to equip a planned new Fire Station 18 in District 4.

Fire Chief Pat Wilson presented quotes from the vendor (10 8 Safety LLC) for a Pierce Enforcer tractor‑drawn aerial (TVA or tiller), a Pierce Sabre pumper and a Braun Liberty ambulance to be funded from SPLOST 6 (account referenced in the presentation). Chief Wilson said the tractor‑drawn aerial will let crews access places that are difficult for current ladder trucks. “This apparatus will allow us to be able to get in places that sometimes are difficult today with our current ladder trucks,” he said.

Staff showed vendor renderings and identified the units as a TVA (tiller/tractor‑drawn aerial), a standard pumper and a Braun Liberty ambulance similar to units the county has previously purchased. Staff told the board the units were procured via a national purchasing cooperative (FireRescue GPO) and presented vendor pricing; the presentation also stated an expected approximately three‑year build time for custom apparatus.

During the meeting some numeric details in the presentation were inconsistent; staff repeatedly identified SPLOST 6 as the funding source (SP6002 account). Commissioners approved the purchase and the motion carried.

","The board approved procurement of one Pierce tractor‑drawn aerial (TVA), one Pierce pumper and one Braun Liberty ambulance to outfit the new Fire Station 18; staff said the units will be procured through a national purchasing cooperative and paid from SPLOST 6 funds, with delivery expected in about three years.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6179839,"Henry County approves $9.24 million contract to add and renovate Judicial Annex",159,1205000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc&start=1205&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6179839/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-approves-924-million-contract-to-add-and-renovate-Judicial-Annex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179839-a8691b30cfa7fc7c23d81a242648edea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457051&Signature=eSh2OLZH~L2DLNZI22DAjTuiFPDrCLzasoNgFm5c7gp4U4kqZhUM-qYebW5VrY1Hz-bhpi-k3TQrU~Y1fr3O6R0MQRuNgO6JbcNKGDaYQfprTI5S8RtyshA7AkiXFEpS~ZRgYG5SA7zvZkOsTCA8nydHI2zp3-~TxiUABxDx2CbLnNpt~6W3zJ5R2NHjuftG4vw2QxdBRNn6uzchR4lkOtUqx84WpGwx3LdVDqEURXelXzeSm~VTXcA8SFcPcOtNszONxABg5w7DzHMXYDug~0gdmgx9QPQkdVre2bOD3Bp8cBMKZr-s1d4R9pN~t0efVJzBpiFHvle3lNW6A4kPBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henry County commissioners voted July 1 to approve a contract to add to and renovate the Judicial Annex, using capital improvement plan funds, at a contract amount presented as $9,244,901.10.

County staff said the project follows an architectural design contract approved in February 2023 and that the work order prepared with Gordian and the selected prime contractors includes full renovation of the three existing floors and construction of a three‑story addition that will contain two elevators, stairs, ADA‑compliant public restrooms on every floor and associated site work. The renovated and expanded space is intended to house probate court functions, district attorney staff and county support staff.

Commissioner Marshall Wilson asked staff to describe the building’s location. Staff said the Judicial Annex is located at the corner of Zach Hinton Parkway and John Frank Ward and that the county purchased the building about two years earlier for approximately $2,000,000. Staff provided a rendering of the completed addition during the presentation and told commissioners the contract will be paid from the county’s capital improvement plan allocation for this project.

The motion to approve the contract carried unanimously.

","The Board approved a $9,244,901.10 contract using capital improvement funds to renovate three floors of the existing Judicial Annex and build a three‑story addition for probate, district attorney staff and other county offices; the scope includes two elevators and ADA restrooms on each floor.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6179843,"Henry County awards design contracts for three SPLOST 6 transportation projects",924,1654000,2578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc&start=1654&end=2578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122373-189d9c5ad2709dda6744b40ba1f38ffc/thumbnail_1654000.jpg","/articles/6179843/Henry-County/Georgia/Henry-County-awards-design-contracts-for-three-SPLOST-6-transportation-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179843-bd9ab91a615e0fdd8cb492238e8dc045/orig.mp4?Expires=1770457051&Signature=nhEW4KRVp~jLKLBrscUVcmucNNe74dDm0NTma2HSDA4dEG8Psh08lZo9EBlguU~e3zJOrxfH8A9vxQ3FtQkrMMdBxYkgK~813JU7bQDVBXbfa~DEaaDs4uftadZpD0MMcFY-8IOTNw76hFWe6gfj8a4pOcQXBWGqyRkH6j~bpdFOftRlJyZfo6k829ZmyYHsJHAo6MSsd6s75VRkk7hsj4aYqhZmIw3KLQK93ZI53ENyHCRL1jtBRyukHvfq45lQD40wk9mII0-8iGzeDQMGWyaZ2~cYtxLlMkMMkGs16meQz38oHcx~tNPAw4jcYTm3DKskJL4HF96uDN83P0ej3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County Board of Commissioners on July 1 approved three design contracts funded by SPLOST 6 for transportation projects intended to improve east‑west connectivity and intersection safety.

Bert (county staff) presented the recommended awards: NB5 Engineers and Consultants ranked highest on the RFQ process and was recommended for design services for the Hampton‑Locust Grove Road widening from State Route 20 to State Route 155, with a design price of $3,993,660. Bert told commissioners the Hampton‑Locust Grove section is approximately five miles long and that the project includes a bridge over the Tawilaga River; staff said funding in SPLOST 6 is available for design and partial right‑of‑way acquisition. “This section of roadway is approximately 5 miles long,” Bert said.

Two intersection projects were also approved after the purchasing department reviewed proposals. Croix Engineering was selected for design of Peeksville Road at Old Jackson Road for $250,000 and for Racetrack Road at Travis Drive for $335,000; staff said both RFPs received two proposals and that SPLOST 6 accounts include funds for later right‑of‑way and construction phases. The Racetrack/Travis project is a joint effort with the city of McDonough; county staff noted the north side of Racetrack Road lies inside McDonough city limits.

The presentations included procurement questions from commissioners about the use of RFQs versus RFPs. Commissioner Wilson pressed staff on pricing and whether an RFP might produce better upfront cost certainty. Susan Harris (purchasing) explained that, for large complex projects, staff solicited qualifications (RFQ), scored respondents, then solicited cost proposals from the highest‑ranked firms and negotiated pricing; for smaller projects the county typically uses RFPs. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue evaluating procurement methods for large transportation projects.

All three motions to approve the recommended design contracts passed. Staff said the Hampton‑Locust Grove construction cost estimate included in SPLOST 6 planning is approximately $7 million and that the five‑mile corridor may be split into phases for construction.

","Under SPLOST 6 funding, the board approved design services for Hampton‑Locust Grove widening ($3,993,660 to NB5 engineers), Peeksville Road at Old Jackson intersection ($250,000 to Croix Engineering), and Racetrack Road at Travis Drive ($335,000 to Croix Engineering). Staff said funding exists for right of way and construction phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Henry County approves 1,277‑acre "The Grove" master development agreement with conditions and water oversight questions

Henry County upholds zoning board denial; owner must move or remove accessory structure built without permits

Henry County approves SPLOST 6 purchase of ladder, pumper and ambulance for new Station 18

Henry County approves $9.24 million contract to add and renovate Judicial Annex

Henry County awards design contracts for three SPLOST 6 transportation projects