Despite naysayer concerns regarding density, increased traffic, and building height, a multifaceted infill development recently scored a government green-light to continue downtown Woodstock’s latest growth spurt. 

The proposal from developer Dinesh Vudutha at 8261 Main St. and 8271 Dobbs Road would replace what’s largely vacant land today. The 2.3 acres form a downtown corner about a five-minute walk north of Woodstock’s central hub of eateries, shops, and drinking establishments. 

Fronting Main Street, plans call for a four-story, mixed-use building with commercial spaces at the base and 24 condos above, standing 56 feet tall at max. 

Behind that structure, the project would see 14 townhomes arranged around surface parking spaces and a central green. 

The multiple retail spaces would total about 14,300 square feet.

As seen looking north along Main Street, the Woodstock properties in question in 2021. Google Maps

Main Street frontage for the four-story mixed-use proposal, with 14 townhomes and parking tucked behind. Eighty-six parking spaces (include one and two-car garages) are planned overall. Courtesy of Dinesh Vudutha

According to the Cherokee Tribune, a community petition put together in December had gathered 60 signatures from residents concerned with density and height—and that the proposal hadn't been altered from previous designs that drew concern. (The developer previously told city officials that shrinking unit counts would jeopardize the project’s financial viability.) At a Woodstock City Council meeting Feb. 10, however, an equal number of public commenters spoke in favor of the development as those against. 

The city council voted to approve the project 3-2, with Mayor Michael Caldwell’s vote breaking a tie, according to the newspaper. 

Inquiries to the development team from Urbanize Atlanta regarding a potential groundbreaking and construction timeline weren’t returned. 

The 8271 Dobbs Road and 8261 Main St. sites, situated just north of Woodstock's growing downtown mixed-use hub. Google Maps

Plans call for a 10-foot-wide sidewalk along Main Street—and for no more than 10 percent of units to be rentals, according to a condition applied by the city. 

The council’s vote approves the required rezoning of properties in question from a designation called DT-RO (that’s Downtown Residential Office) to DT-CBD (or Downtown Central Business District). 

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