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Business & Tech

Branch Properties reworking Jonquil proposal

An attorney for the developer has indicated that Publix is still interested in the project.

Though it was , a representative from Branch Properties, LLC  confirmed to Ward 3 Council Member Teri Anulewicz that the company has begun work on the next iteration of its proposed site plan and zoning condition for Jonquil Village.

"I got a call from Branch today that they’re reworking what they had originally proposed," Anulewicz said Monday at a Ward 3 meet-up at Rev Coffee. "They’re working on their Version B of what they’re going to bring to the city."

The plans submitted by Atlanta-based Branch Properties, LLC in late 2011 have kept the underground parking and detention pond near Spring Rd., but the condos have been replaced by 250 residential apartments. There is more than 77,000 square feet of total building area, with a 45,600 square-foot grocery store that is still believed to be a Publix.

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“It’s almost counter-intuitive that we’ve been waiting and waiting and now we have someone who wants to go forward, but now hold up, we’re going to table this,” Anulewicz said. “But I think that was the right thing to do. I’m not 100 percent satisfied with what was brought. It was very much almost in a draft phase because they’re still getting this deal worked out.”

Anulewicz added that she doesn’t foresee the issue being tabled beyond the Feb. 20 city council meeting.

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At the last council meeting Ellen Smith, the attorney representing Branch Properties, LLC, confirmed to Anulewicz that Publix was still interested in the development.

Anulewicz also noted that a representative from Branch Properties says Publix has a proven interest in this corner of Cobb County.

“Publix their number one location in the Atlanta area is the Vinings Publix,” she said. “Their number three location is the East West Connector. So they have a real keen interest in having a strong presence in this part of town, which is good for us. I’ve been confident all along that they were committed to this and this was a good instinct.”

Some Smyrna residents have also expressed interest in a Publix. Residents of the Williams Park subdivision behind Jonquil Village have been without a neighborhood grocery store since theirs was torn down in 2006 to make way for the Jonquil development.

“As a resident of Williams Park, I welcome any grocery store,” Helen Wilgus commented on Smyrna-Vinings Patch. “The convenience will be fabulous.”

Sean Murphy, a frequent Smyrna-Vinings Patch commenter, has called for a Publix GreenWise Market, a concept store that specializes in organic, all-natural and earth-friendly items, but still carries conventional brands.

“I think this could be an interesting concept store to ask the developers of Jonquil and the Publix company about,” Murphy wrote in a comment. “Since apparently Publix is the likely retailer for that location and Smyrna area already has a huge Publix near Paces Ferry and I-285 and another one on South Cobb, why not make this one different (…) This concept is like Whole Foods and could bring focus and press to Jonquil Plaza much like this Kroger is doing for the Four Corners area.”

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