ATLANTA — Gwinnett residents are continuing to push back against building apartment complexes on one of the last undeveloped pieces of land in the county.
One of the biggest concerns is how it will impact students in the area. The 39-acre plot backs up to Seckinger High School in Gwinnett County.
As developments continue to pop up all over Gwinnett, the land remains one of the last untouched pieces of property in the county.
But now Brand Properties is looking to change that -- hoping to purchase the land and build a mixed-use space with hundreds of apartment units.
Those in opposition to the project said it would take away one of the last remaining areas to develop for youth sports and recreation.
“We have 5,000 children in the Seckinger Cluster without a park," said Mark Johnson with the Seckinger Athletic Association.
Johnson is with the association that oversees recreational sports for students in the Seckinger school cluster. He explained they need that property to accommodate the rising number of children who are passionate about playing sports.
“Seckinger Athletic Association signed an agreement with Gwinnett Parks and Recreation in August, and we have 2023 split money to buy land for a park," Johnson explained. "We need football and baseball fields. The 39 acres is one of the only plots of land that makes sense in our cluster.”
Gwinnett County officials told Brand Properties earlier this week that they would need to undergo a new staff review, issue another public notice and hold public hearings for their plan after making some changes to the original proposal -- which included reducing the number of apartments.
Residents like Kierston Scheul, a parent and a homeowner, said that feels like a win.
“We do feel like this was somewhat of a small victory because it gives us more time to advocate against it," Scheul said.
The property is currently owned by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation. But it's not currently zoned for mixed-use development, which is why the sale is contingent upon the commissioner's approval.