Neighbors came out to hear more about the Villa de Grip proposed plan and zoning change Thursday night at Regina Brewer's home. Brewer hosted an informal meeting with architect, Cooper Pierce, to give neighbors an opportunity to hear about the project before it goes to a vote at this month's IPNA meeting. Neighbors were vocal about the high volume of new traffic they say the development would create, along with increased danger to pedestrians trying to cross North Highland at Elizabeth. Neighbors also expressed concerns about people turning into the would-be parking garage from N. Highland, an entrance that would be roughly 35-feet from the stop sign at N. Highland and Elizabeth. Residents said that N. Highland is always backed up to Caramel St. at night and the new development would only further back up the already strained intersection. 

Pierce said the owners would be open to a traffic study but doubted a light would much of a difference as the traffic problems go deeper and fall under the city's purview. In response to the neighbors concerns over the massive scale of the development, Pierce opened the floor to suggesstions from residents on what would be acceptable. Pierce said is neighbors have ideas they could email him at [email protected]. 

At the upcoming August IPNA meeting, neighbors are scheduled to vote on two seperate issues in regards to the Villa de Grip property. First will be  a vote on whether or not to combine the two lots purchased seperately into one. Second, will be to vote on whether or not to change the zoning of the building from RG-1 (multifamily residential) to C-1 (commercial). 

If the zoning change is approved the Villa de Grip ownership group has plans to maximize the development and renovate the existing Villa de Grip building to house a 5,000+ square foot restaurant on the ground floor and to provide 5,000+ square feet of office space on the second floor.  A second, three-story building would be built with another restaurant on the first floor and office space on the two upper floors.  Finally, an additional building would be constructed with a three-level parking deck and two additional floors of office space above. You can Read more about the proposed project here. 

Pierce said another neighbors meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at the 807 building in Inman Park Village. Details will be posted on the blog and Facebook page once the details are announced. 

The August IPNA meeting is Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Trolley Barn.