The Overlook retail area, the RaceTrac gas station and the Chick-fil-A restaurant may not be quite ready to break ground on Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City, but the Peachtree City Council on Dec. 18 took the development a step closer by legally abandoning two public streets: Line Creek Court and the majority of Line Creek Drive adjacent to the development.
Developer Trinity-Overlook LLC will pay the city the appraised value of $100,000 for the right of way abandonment.
While apparently carrying no controversy today, the history of the proposed retail area on Hwy. 54 West goes back several years. Former developer Doug McMurrain also wanted the roadways abandoned during the time when he wanted to establish a larger retail development than what has been approved for The Overlook, said City Planner David Rast. McMurrain wanted to have approximately 150,000 sq. ft. of retail compared to the 80,000 sq. ft. planned today, said Rast.
The council several years ago, after McMurrain’s plans failed and the property went into foreclosure, adopted a memorandum of agreement (MOA) saying that the right of way would be abandoned once final approval was gained and if the entire property, as is the case with Trinity, was in the possession of a single owner, Rast said.
Rast said McMurrain at the time wanted a full traffic signal at the intersection of Hwy. 54 and Line Creek Drive. Today the signal proposal calls for a “continuous green T” intersection.
City Manager Jim Pennington in a Dec. 17 letter said the City Council had studied the petition for right of way abandonment submitted by Trinity as well as all information provided by Trinity and city staff concerning the abandonment of the right of way and has determined that the right of way has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by the right of way.
Council has determined that it appears to be in the best interest of the citizens of Peachtree City to abandon Line Creek Court and a portion of Line Creek Drive for the appraised value of $100,000, Pennington said.
The city will retain the portion of the right of way that connects Line Creek Drive to Hwy. 54. That portion includes approximately 140 feet one one side of Line Creek Drive and approximately 195 feet on the other side of the street, city staff said at the meeting.
Once developed, the newly privately-owned streets will be used for access to the commercial area.
The 4-0 vote on Dec. 18 carried the requirement that the right of way be transferred to Trinity-Overlook LLC for the appraised value of $100,000.
Councilman Eric Imker prior to the vote asked if the roadways had been appraised. He was told the appraisal had been done.
Councilwoman Kim Learnard was not present at the meeting.
The timelines for the development of The Overlook, RaceTrac and Chick-fil-A could depend on the state’s decision on a “continuous green T” traffic signal at the site, Rast said in November.
The “continuous green T” traffic signal intersection would allow westbound traffic on Hwy. 54 to flow through without stopping, while side-street traffic on Line Creek Drive would be limited by a right-in, right-out access for southbound vehicles and a stacking lane for northbound vehicles turning left to go west on Hwy. 54, according to the city’s consulting traffic engineering firm.
“Both RaceTrac and Chick-fil-A have been issued final site plan approval, as well as building plan approval, and both have been issued their land disturbance permit,” said Rast. “I am fairly certain they are waiting to see what happens with the intersection enhancements before they start construction.”
Rast said the city is currently working with the Ga. Dept. of Transportation and property owners on the project.
