Nearly a year later, in March 2026, the Cornelia Planning Board approved two more variances for the project: one cutting required parking from 90 spaces to 50, and another allowing community laundry facilities instead of individual laundry facilities in each unit, as code otherwise requires.
Cornelia Planning Commission approves reduced unit-size variance for 60-unit Tapestry apartment project
The city has cleared the way for a 60-unit apartment development with smaller-than-normal units, fewer parking spaces and shared laundry, as Tapestry Development Group's plans move through city approvals.
March 19, 2026: Variance to allow community laundry facilities instead of individual laundry facilities (Tapestry Development)
At a glance
What this means now
The story
In March 2025, the Cornelia Planning Commission approved a variance letting Tapestry Development Group build apartment units as small as 745 square feet, down from the city's 1,200-square-foot minimum, for a planned 60-unit development. The plan called for 20 units at 745 square feet along with 30 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom units ranging from 800 to 1,200 square feet. The commission approved the variance as submitted by a 3-0 vote.
The following month, the Planning Commission approved the development's preliminary plat, on the condition that lot lines be corrected and a tract's ownership be amended before it went to the city commission.
The Cornelia City Commission then gave preliminary approval to the plat and site plan for the 60-unit multi-family development in a 4-0 vote on May 6, 2025.
Nearly a year later, in March 2026, the Cornelia Planning Board approved two more variances for the project: one cutting required parking from 90 spaces to 50, and another allowing community laundry facilities instead of individual laundry facilities in each unit, as code otherwise requires.
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
ApprovedconfirmedVariance to reduce required parking spaces from 90 to 50 for Tapestry Development project
Variance to reduce number of parking spaces from 90 as required by code to 50
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Variance to reduce required parking spaces from 90 to 50 for Tapestry Development project
Variance to reduce number of parking spaces from 90 as required by code to 50
ApprovedconfirmedVariance to allow community laundry facilities instead of individual laundry facilities (Tapestry Development)
Variance to allow community laundry facilities as opposed to individual laundry facilities as required by code
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Variance to allow community laundry facilities instead of individual laundry facilities (Tapestry Development)
Variance to allow community laundry facilities as opposed to individual laundry facilities as required by code
ApprovedconfirmedTapestry Development preliminary plat and preliminary site plan approval for 60-unit multi-family development
Commissioner Bagwell made a motion to approve the
preliminary plat approval and preliminary site plan, seconded by
Commissioner Griggs.
Approved 4 - 0
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Tapestry Development preliminary plat and preliminary site plan approval for 60-unit multi-family development
Commissioner Bagwell made a motion to approve the preliminary plat approval and preliminary site plan, seconded by Commissioner Griggs. Approved 4 - 0
ApprovedconfirmedPreliminary approval for a multi-family development
Preliminary Approval for Multi-family Development
Approved 4 - 0
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Preliminary approval for a multi-family development
Preliminary Approval for Multi-family Development Approved 4 - 0
Appeared on agendaproposedPreliminary Approval for Multi-family Development
Preliminary Approval for Multi-family Development
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Preliminary Approval for Multi-family Development
Preliminary Approval for Multi-family Development
ApprovedconfirmedPreliminary Plat Approval for 60-unit apartment development (Tapestry Development)
Motion made by Jason Lewallen to approve the preliminary plat with the amendments that the lot lines be corrected and the tract 1 ownership be amended BEFORE the city commission meeting.
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Preliminary Plat Approval for 60-unit apartment development (Tapestry Development)
Motion made by Jason Lewallen to approve the preliminary plat with the amendments that the lot lines be corrected and the tract 1 ownership be amended BEFORE the city commission meeting.
ApprovedconfirmedVariance to reduce minimum apartment unit size from 1,200 sq ft to 745 sq ft for 60-unit apartment development (Tapestry Development Group)
Motion made by Jimmy Thompson to approve variance as submitted,
seconded by Portia Burns, all in favor (3-0)
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Variance to reduce minimum apartment unit size from 1,200 sq ft to 745 sq ft for 60-unit apartment development (Tapestry Development Group)
Motion made by Jimmy Thompson to approve variance as submitted, seconded by Portia Burns, all in favor (3-0)
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