New Hotel, Starbucks coming to Lavonia

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR

Two new businesses have received the support of the Lavonia City Council.

Last Monday night, the Council voted to approve the first reading of an annexation request of 1.97 acres by Wilson Development Group and owned by Hill Properties and Petroleum next to the Chick-Fil-A on Highway 17.

According to the request Wilson Development plans to build a Starbucks next to the Chick-Fil-A.

Lavonia’s Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of the annexation.

A second reading will take place at the Council’s August meeting.

The Council also approved a conditional use permit for a Hilton hotel next to the Cracker Barrel on Ross Place.

In October of last year, the City Council gave initial to franchisee Paul Patel for a four-story hotel on acreage next to the restaurant.

The initial plan was to build either a Hilton or Marriott hotel on that property.

But because most of the acreage on Ross Place is zoned as a Medical Campus District because it’s close to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital any business other than a medical or medical-related facility needs to have a conditional use permit.

Patel, however, passed away in December 2022 and plans by his company were put on hold.

On Monday night, Co-owner Adam Patel came before the City Council to again request a conditional use permit to build a Hilton-branded hotel on that acreage.

The City Council voted unanimously to approve the permit.