The Peachtree City Planning Commission on Aug. 10 voted unanimously to recommend denial of an annexation and rezoning request by Bradshaw Family LLP on 28.3 acres situated along Ga. Highway 54 and Sumner Road, the proposed site of a retail, office and residential development.
The recommendation by Senior Planner David Rast maintained that, in total, the proposed rezoning is not consistent with the goals and objectives of the city’s land use plan and should be denied based largely on the retail component.
Planning commissioners agreed on a 5-0 vote to recommend that the City Council deny the request.
Rast in his presentation said staff supports the office component and finds that the residential component, while not consistent with the land use plan, could be designed in such a manner to provide a buffer between the office component and the existing residences along Sumner Road.
The retail component, said Rast, is not consistent with existing uses in the area, especially those fronting Hwy. 54.
Chairman Frank Destadio, like others on the commission, said during the discussion that he shared some of the concerns of the more than half a dozen area residents who spoke against the proposal.
A number of public speakers opposed the rezoning and annexation effort, citing the lack of a need for additional retail and residential offerings.
Some spoke of property owner Scott Bradshaw’s alleged comments to them that he would have a gas station located in the retail area. Nearby neighbor Cele Eifert said she believed an approval would lead to a 12-pump gas station on the property. Bradshaw was not at the meeting to comment on the assertion.
Citing the comments of Commissioner Lynda Wojcik, Commissioner David Conner said his biggest concern was that the annexation would be stepping over several small properties adjacent to the 28-acre tract.
Like others on the commission, Conner said the negative view of neighbors weighed heavily with him.
The commission also cited the findings of the staff report that indicated the retail component was not an appropriate use for the property.
The 28.3-acre property situated between Ga. Highway 54 and Sumner Road is currently zoned A-R (agricultural reserve) in unincorporated Fayette County.
The proposal would establish 22 homes valued at $450,000 each, 25,000 sq. ft. of retail valued at $146 per sq. ft. and 50,000 sq. ft. of office space valued at $160 per sq. ft. The property would generate an estimated $63,000 in additional revenue beyond the $1,312 currently received.
As proposed, the retail component would face Hwy. 54, with the office component situated essentially behind the retail area and fronting Sumner Road. The residential component would be situated to the north, also along Sumner Road.
Unless pulled by the property owner, the proposed annexation and rezoning will be taken up by the City Council.
