A proposal to rezone property on Wisdom Road near Ga. Highway 74 for a new 81-room Fairfield Inn hotel in Peachtree City has resurfaced.
In a preliminary vetting by the planning commission Monday night, it was noted that one of the most challenging issues for the 2.8 acre site is that it backs up to the rear of the Wisdom Point retail center, which offers a less than appetizing view but abuts the main entry drive and a courtyard area on the current schematic plan.
Architect Daniel Lemberg said he felt dense evergreen landscaping could help screen that view appropriately.
Another perhaps more significant challenge is the need for a rezoning for the property. Currently it is zoned general commercial, but due to the building height limit of 35 feet in that district, the developer is seeking a limited use commercial zoning to reach the maximum height of 60 feet for the building.
While the planning commission will make a recommendation about the rezoning, the final say rests with the Peachtree City Council. A similar proposal was shot down by the council in 2008 when a variance for the building height was denied.
The site is directly across Wisdom Road from the Delta Community Credit Union.
Commissioners also suggested Monday night that the developer make sure to provide screening for the adjacent Woodsmill Apartments. The plan includes at least a 75-foot buffer, much of which is already wooded, according to architect Lemberg.
Another idea was to try and figure out how to make pedestrian access easy so hotel clients will be able to walk to the nearby restaurants instead of getting in their car and driving.
The proposed exterior for the hotel building is stucco (EIFS) and gray brick, but there will be no concrete block. The hotel would feature an indoor pool and board room for meetings.
Planning Commissioner Aaron Daily said he has worked with Lemberg in the past on other architecture projects, noting that Lemberg “will do whatever he can to do the right thing; he is always very conscientious.”
Although a four-story plan was initially submitted for the hotel, the five-story plan has a smaller footprint and eliminates some parking. There is also room on the site for a future 75-room building.
Fairfield Inn and Suites is owned by Marriott International of Bethesda, Md., which also owns the Courtyard, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, Town Place Suites, and Marriott Executive Apartments chains, as well as the super-luxury Ritz-Carlton.
