By Camie Young Staff Writer

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Originally designed to improve developments and set aside greenspace, some developers have taken advantage of the modified subdivision, planning officials said Tuesday. The open space they set aside in exchange for higher density is often unbuildable and has little advantage for recreation. The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development is looking into rewriting the modified subdivision guidelines, at the prompting of District 1 Planning Commissioner Lorraine Green. The resolution did not come up for a vote Tuesday, but the Planning Commission debated the idea. "It seems like the R-100 modified has become something that was not intended," District 2's Rico Figliolini said. Mike Williams, director of the department, said he has not yet been able to meet with the law department to discuss changes, but expects to have a proposal ready for the July 17 meeting. The modified subdivisions allow developers to set aside a percentage of the land for open space and cluster homes in the developed sections closer together. The option was presented as "density neutral." That is, the property would contain the same number of houses it would have without the open space. The problem, according to Green, is that developers are calling sharp ravines, flood plains, wetlands and other areas of the land, on which homes cannot be placed, open space. No specific changes to the codes have been discussed. Williams said he would expect the applications for Conservation Subdivisions, a new classification similar to the modified subdivision, to increase and the modified proposals to decrease as a result of any changes. The Planning Commission will likely vote on the measure on August 21.