High-powered developer David Jenkins, given immunity three years ago in exchange for his testimony in an alleged bribery scheme involving former Gwinnett Commissioner Kevin Kenerly, is asking for a zoning change so his company can build nearly 400 homes on 131 acres of undeveloped land in the central part of the county.
The request, which will be heard Tuesday night during a public hearing in front of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission, has drawn opposition from some nearby residents who say Jenkins wants to build too many homes on too few acres. The project, they say, will create traffic congestion, add to already overcrowded schools and strain roads and the water system.
The company, Rocklyn Homes, disagrees with all of that. Jenkins is listed as chief executive officer, chief financial officer and secretary of the company, according to the Georgia Secretary of State Office’s website. Neither he nor his daughter Michelle Jenkins, who is listed as president of the company, returned phone messages left at their offices Monday.
In its application for the zoning change, the company says the development won’t have an adverse impact on surrounding properties or infrastructure. The company threatens a possible lawsuit if denied the change.
Rockly Homes “feels this is a reasonable request and that action contradictory to the zoning request will constitute a taking of property in violation of” state and federal law, the application says.
Jenkins’ company bought the land, contingent upon the rezoning, from California-based Cisco Systems, which has kept the property largely undeveloped open space where it tested the range on satellite dishes and other electronic devices. The tract is off Cruse Road, just north of Pleasant Hill Road.
Marlin Knapp, who lives in a nearby subdivision, said the central portion of the county is underserved by parks and that the land in question would make a perfect recreation area.
“It’s a quality-of-life issue because it’s going to plummet” if homes are built there, Knapp said.
Members of the county’s planning staff seem to agree with residents. They are recommending that the commission approve the development, but with less density — lots with a minimum width of 75 feet instead of 60 feet.
The larger lots “could be more suitable, as it would be consistent with the predominant zoning of the area, and could allow for a more spacious and pleasing subdivision development,” the staff report says.
Mitch Peevy, a consultant working on behalf of Rocklyn Homes, said most new developments are approved with the density being proposed by Jenkins’ company. Peevy said the company won’t accept a compromise.
“We’re going to fight to keep” the higher density, Peevy said.
David Jenkins was a longtime business partner with Kenerly, who was accused of accepting a $1 million bribe in exchange for getting the County Commission to buy land for about $7 million more than Jenkins paid for it. Kenerly has appealed the indictment, and a decision is expected by the Georgia Court of Appeals later this year.
Resident Janet Tobin said Jenkins’ history is a concern, particularly since the developer’s role in the project hasn’t been disclosed to neighbors.
“It bothers me that he is still developing property in Gwinnett County given his history,” Tobin said.
