A public hearing on what is proposed to be a behemoth industrial development off Interstate 85 and U.S.Highway 29 southeast of Newnan will be held Feb. 3 at the meeting of the Coweta County Commission.
A rezoning request for than 1,000 acres of potential industrial property is the subject of an upcoming DRI (Development of Regional Impact) proposal that would create a new 10 million sq. ft. industrial center in Coweta County.
The request would have the property zoning changed to M (industrial) and LM (light industrial) from the current zoning that includes RC (rural conservation), C (old commercial), M and LM.
The change in zoning would allow the property to be developed for an industrial site with opportunities for manufacturing, warehousing and office related uses as proposed in the conceptual site plan, said Zoning Administrator Angela White.
The bulk of the property, totaling 834.8 acres, is situated west of Hwy. 29 and east of I-85. The remaining 229 acres is spread among five parcels adjacent to the east side of Hwy. 29. All totaled, the 1,064 acre master plan calls for 10 million sq. ft. of building space.
The DRI proposal is by way of Atlanta-based P and L Bridgeport I, LP and P and L Bridgeport II, LP.
“Given its close proximity to I-85, Newnan Coweta Airport and the CSX rail line, there has been a great deal of interest in the Bridgeport property by economic development prospects for many years,” said Coweta County Development Authority President Greg Wright. “However, the lack of proper zoning has been one of the impediments for these projects.”
Project representative Tom Barranco in the proposal said the proposed zoning would be consistent with the county’s Future Land Use Map and Comprehensive Plan.
“The proposed zoning is an extension of current zoning in this area and is also a proposed zoning amendment for some other zoning classifications in this area as the tract is so large and unique,” Barranco said. “The size, shape and topography of this property, along with the adjacency to I-85, U.S. 27/29, the CSX rail line and Newnan-Coweta Airport combine to create a unique opportunity for job creation and economic development for both Coweta County and Georgia. The zoning will accommodate both large users as well as a diverse mix of medium to small business opportunities.”
The DRI will need to receive approval from the Three Rivers Regional Commission and the Ga. Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). Once completed, the proposal will go through the zoning process for future development, said White.
“With our current inventory of available industrial buildings being so low, many of the projects we are seeing now are companies who want to build new facilities,” Wright said. “Having a variety of industrial parks and available sites for these companies to consider only enhances our opportunities for more quality job growth in Coweta County.”
