Changes coming to Coal Mountain

Discovering the changes coming to Coal Mountain

If you live in northern Forsyth County—or you’re simply curious about what’s happening in your backyard—then now is a perfect time to take a closer look at the changes coming in the community of Coal Mountain. With significant infrastructure improvements and a multi‐use development in the pipeline, this unincorporated area at the junction of State Route 9 (SR 9), State Route 369 (SR 369) and Settingdown Road is entering a stage of meaningful transformation. Drawing on recent official updates, here’s what you need to know—and why it matters to anyone living, working or raising a family in Forsyth.

A Snapshot of Coal Mountain: What You Should Know

For those less familiar, Coal Mountain is a community in northern Forsyth County—unincorporated, yes, but far from under-the-radar. 

It lies roughly where SR 9 and SR 369 meet, and setting aside its small-town name, it’s gradually becoming a hub—not in a crowded, urban sense, but in terms of connectivity, local gathering space, and potential. The county itself describes the upcoming development as a “private multi‐use development near the intersection of SR 9, SR 369 and Settingdown Rd.”

What this means for residents: more amenities, new roadways, better traffic flow—and yes, some change in the look and feel of the area (which can be exciting if you like growth and planning; maybe a bit anxiety-provoking if you’d prefer things stay just like they’ve been). My aim here is to give you the lay of the land—so you can see what’s coming, how to benefit, and what to keep an eye on.

The Big Picture: What the County Is Planning

1. The “Town Center” Vision

The project often referred to as the Coal Mountain Town Center (and in some materials referred to as “The Crossing at Coal Mountain”) is being positioned as a central gathering place for the community. According to the county’s “On the Move” series:

• District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills noted this has been “a culmination of a lot of moving parts … six years to come to this point” and emphasized the importance of “knowing what Coal Mountain is and who the people of Coal Mountain are.” 

• Planning Manager Heather Ryan described the overlay zoning added for this area as “a unique vision … the Coal Mountain Town Center Overlay adds a new layer of regulation … to ensure the development is adhering to certain architectural themes.”

In short: this is more than slapping in a shopping center. The county is pushing for thoughtful design, specific architecture, and a coherent plan that fits the local character of Coal Mountain—not just a generic development.

2. Infrastructure & Connectivity

Designing a great new community center means you also need the roads, utilities, and supporting infrastructure. A few highlights:

• The new roadway called the Coal Mountain Connector has now opened. It connects Bridgetowne Drive (at SR 369) with Settingdown Road (near the roundabout at Coal Mountain Park) and then to SR 9 / Coal Mountain Dr / Smith Lane. 

• The connector was budgeted at $10.4 million, funded via a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grant plus impact fees. 

• The intention: provide an alternate route for east–west and north–south traffic, improve flow, reduce pressure on SR 9 and SR 369. 

• A roundabout near Settingdown Road, widening of SR 369, and other beautification/road improvements are also part of the plan. 

3. Timeline & Community Impact

• According to County officials, this development has been in the works for at least six years. 

• Some parts (like the connector) are already complete. Others (such as private development phases) are still “proposed” or under construction.

• The impact on the broader community: better traffic flow, more local amenities, potential increase in property values—but also possibly more traffic, more density, and likely change in the “rural feel” some residents enjoy.

Why This Matters—Especially for Local Residents

Let’s talk about what all this development means in practical terms. If you live in Coal Mountain, or are considering moving there, or even if you simply use the area for errands or school drop-off, these are the real-world implications.

A. Better Daily Commute & Traffic Flow

One of the biggest challenges in fast-growing parts of Forsyth is traffic. For many of us, driving to work, school pickups, weekend errands—these all can feel more tedious every year. The new connector road and planned widening efforts will give additional flexibility in the network. For example:

• The Coal Mountain Connector opens up an alternate route between SR 369 and SR 9, which means less reliance on only one or two major intersections.

• With proper infrastructure, the new Town Center shouldn’t add chaotic traffic without planning—it’s being paired with roadway improvements rather than being an afterthought.

If you’re driving to Cumming, Atlanta, or heading to Lake Lanier, this kind of roadmap helps. If you’re doing the school run at North Forsyth High School or nearby, anything that eases congestion is welcome.

B. More Local Amenities, More Options

As the Town Center takes shape, residents can expect more options for shopping, dining, possibly offices, and gathering places closer to home. That means:

• More convenience: fewer long drives required for errands or family outings.

• A stronger sense of “place”: as noted, the county is aiming for architecture and design that matches local character, rather than cookie-cutter suburban strip malls. 

• Potential increase in foot traffic and community activities—parks, pedestrian features, roundabouts that emphasize people over just cars.

If you appreciate having things nearby—coffee shops, local restaurants, community plazas—this shift is significant.

C. Property Values & Investment Potential

While I can’t guarantee anything, development of this nature tends to have ripple effects on property values:

• Better infrastructure = more desirable location.

• More amenities = increased demand.

• Proper planning means greater long-term stability rather than short-term speculative growth.

For homeowners in the area, this could mean improved resale value. For prospective buyers, this could be a good moment to watch the market.

D. Preserve What You Love, But Adapt

If you moved to Coal Mountain (or Forsyth County generally) because you liked its more relaxed, semi-rural or suburban feel—this is a gentle reminder that even here, change is happening. Your community is evolving. While growth can bring wonderful things, it can also bring challenges:

• More traffic unless managed well.

• Possible increased crowding if commercial development expands rapidly (again, zoning overlay helps).

• Changes in community feel, especially near major intersections.

That said—the fact that the county is building intentional infrastructure and overlay zoning means they are trying to strike a balance. It’s a solid signal that this growth is being handled with care.

What to Keep an Eye On: Your Local Checklist

If I were a resident of Forsyth and tracking this area, here are some things I’d watch closely—and you might too:

1. Timeline of the Town Center: While some infrastructure is complete, the private development phases may take months or years. Stay in the loop via county updates to know when retail opens, when office or residential components arrive.

2. Traffic impacts during construction: Even though roads open, any new development + construction traffic can affect your commute. Watch for lane closures, short-term detours. (For example: signal improvements at SR 9/Smith Lane in early April.) 

3. Zoning and architecture adherence: The overlay zoning means there are design guidelines. If you care about how the buildings look, the landscaping, lighting, signage—that’s a plus.

4. Amenity openings and retail mix: When new restaurants or shops move in, check whether they fit the community you want. Are they local businesses or chains? Good to know for vibe and value.

5. Impact on schools and community services: With more residents, are local schools or parks going to see increased traffic or demand? Are county services keeping pace?

6. Communication from the county: Keeping informed via updates from the county is key. They’ve done a good job with videos and news posts (see the “On the Move” series). For example: “VIDEO: What to Know About Infrastructure and Plans Surrounding the Coal Mountain Town Center.” 

Why Growth at Coal Mountain is a Big Win (If Done Right)

Let’s talk optimism for a moment—because there are several reasons why this development is something to look forward to.

• Local pride and identity: Commissioner Mills stressed “I want people to know what Coal Mountain is and who the people of Coal Mountain are.” That speaks to preserving community identity even as change happens.

• Smart growth vs. sprawl: The overlay zoning suggests the county is not letting the area turn into just any random development—it’s themed, regulated, designed for long-term compatibility.

• Improved quality of life: New amenities, smoother commutes, more local choices—all things that make day-to-day living more pleasant.

• Future-proofing: As Forsyth County continues to grow, infrastructure like the Connector and widened roads helps absorb growth rather than having it pile up unchecked.

In other words, this isn’t simply about adding more concrete—it’s about adding thought, intent, and local value.

Some Friendly Advice From One Resident to Another

Since you’re reading this, you probably either live in the area, are considering it, or are just invested in local happenings. Here are some things I’d suggest:

• Visit the development site: Take a drive around SR 9 / SR 369 / Settingdown Road, check out the connector, see where the roundabout is, get a feel for where things are headed. Walking/driving it gives you intuition that plans don’t always convey.

• Talk to neighbors/locals: Find out what residents already in Coal Mountain think—what they like, what they are concerned about. Their lived experience matters.

• Think ahead: Ask yourself: if I live here in five years, what’s different for me? Commute, amenities, services, cost. Are those differences good or bad for me?

• Balance patience with excitement: Development takes time. Some parts may still be under construction. But getting ahead of it means you can benefit, rather than react.

• Stay involved: Sign up for county newsletters, attend a town hall (or watch the videos). When you know what’s planned, you can steer input if there are community meetings.

Bottom Line

Coal Mountain is on the move—and it’s moving in a direction that holds promise. With the Connector road now open, the overlay zoning in place, and the private multi-use Town Center development in motion, this corner of Forsyth is stepping into a new phase. For residents (or soon-to-be residents) this translates into better infrastructure, more convenience, stronger sense of place—and if handled well, increased property value and community vibrancy.

Change can bring questions. But when change comes with a plan, an identity, and a roadmap—that’s where growth gets interesting. If you’re living in Forsyth, or thinking of making Coal Mountain your home, this is a development to watch—because the next five years could look quite different than the last.

Live, Eat, Play in FoCo!