BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday night on the proposed Cook Construction annexation and rezoning along the GA 365 corridor, a project that has drawn weeks of public debate and now faces a formal objection from Habersham County.
The hearing is scheduled as part of the March 3 council meeting at 6 p.m. at the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom.
The proposal from Cook Construction seeks to annex approximately 88 acres into the city, combining it with 21 acres already inside Baldwin’s limits, for a total of roughly 109 acres along GA 365 near Duncan Bridge Road.
The developer has requested highway business zoning and has presented a concept plan that includes retail space, restaurants, a gas station, an anchor grocery store, a medical office building and a senior living facility.
Cook representatives have said the zoning request does not include residential housing or a data center and have argued the project aligns with Baldwin’s comprehensive plan, which identifies the GA 365 corridor as a target area for commercial growth.
County objection triggers state review
Last month, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners formally objected to the annexation, triggering a dispute resolution process through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Following that vote, Mayor Doug Faust told Now Georgia the public hearing would proceed despite the county’s action.
“At this point, the public hearing is still scheduled,” Faust said.
Faust said the county must notify DCA of its objection, after which the city will be required to respond.
“Since they have completed the action that they have, we can’t take any further action,” Faust said. “We have to continue to work with DCA on the solutions.”
The March 3 public hearing will allow residents to formally comment before the council considers a second reading of the annexation and rezoning ordinances at a later meeting.
Support and opposition
The project has drawn strong opinions from residents across Baldwin and Habersham County.
Opponents have cited concerns about traffic along GA 365 and Duncan Bridge Road, infrastructure capacity, sewer and water impacts, light pollution and the potential for long-term strain on public safety services.
At prior meetings, some residents warned that increased development could worsen conditions on what they describe as an already dangerous highway corridor.
Supporters, including property owners within the proposed annexation area, argue that managed commercial development could help retain sales tax revenue currently flowing to Gainesville and create local job opportunities.
Habersham County landowner Terry Williams told council members at a recent meeting that growth along a four-lane highway is inevitable.
“When we’ve got a four-lane coming right through the heart of our county, we’re going to get growth,” Williams said. “The question is, is it good growth or bad growth.”
Williams argued that planned retail and restaurant development could strengthen the local tax base and reduce the need for residents to travel to Gainesville for shopping and services.
“I submit to you that not everybody is opposed,” he said.
What happens next
The March 3 public hearing marks the next formal step in the annexation process. A second reading and potential vote on the annexation and rezoning would follow, subject to the ongoing state review.
Tuesday’s meeting will also include consideration of ratifying the Habersham County Local Emergency Operating Plan and approval of an automatic aid agreement between the Baldwin and Cornelia fire departments.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 155 Willingham Ave.
