Dawson County commissioners have approved a rezoning to allow a new apartment complex near Ga. 400.

Ridgeline Land Planning wants to build a 242-unit garden-style apartment community with amenities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts on about 40 acres north of Hwy. 53 on Lumpkin Campground Road.

The complex, expected to be complete in late 2016, would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 800 to 1,400 square feet.

The commission delayed a vote on the matter last month, requesting additional information, including a traffic study, for the project.

A study by Norcross-based Kimley-Horn and Associates indicated the need for a right-hand turn lane on Lumpkin Campground Road at the complex entrance.

The rezoning was approved Dec. 19 with stipulations that include a second full-service entrance on Prominence Court and acceleration and deceleration turn lanes at the Lumpkin Campground entrance. Also stipulated was the need for 20 feet of additional right of way in case future traffic results in a need to widen Lumpkin Campground.

While the proposed project does not align with the county's future land-use plan, Planning Director David McKee said "the application is a less intensive use, which would be allowable."

According to a letter from Adam Hazell, planning director with the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, the project is "in the best interest of the state" based on the Department of Community Affair's procedures related to the review of Developments of Regional Impact.