Lexington Circle Lofts and retail rezoning faces a vote
Items on the agenda for the July 21 meeting of the Peachtree City Council include a public hearing on the 2017 budget and another public hearing on the Lexington Circle loft and retail proposal by Dar Thompson.
The Fiscal Year 2017 general fund budget expected to total $33.5 million. The budget comes with no raises for city employees, 34 percent in reserves and no millage increase.
However, since the proposed budget keeps the same millage rate, the effect on most city property taxpayers will be a tax increase. That’s because 2016 property tax assessments are significantly higher than last year. Many people saw double-digit percentage increases, while the average increase ranges over 4 percent. If your property is worth more, the same tax rate as last year results in a higher tax bill.
That contrasts with the Fayette County Commission, which for the second year in a row, produced a county budget with a tax rate rollback, “which means that the rate is reduced so that it brings in roughly the same revenue as the previous budget, even with increased property values,” as reported earlier this month.
County Manager Rapson “said it would be the second year for a full tax rollback for the general fund. From the taxpayers’ perspective that is equal to $1.4 million in unissued tax bills, he said, and over the course of the four budget cycles the county has rolled back about $3 million to taxpayers.’
The city’s FY 2017 general fund budget totals $33.526 million. That compares to the $33.519 million budget adopted a year ago.
Though no millage rate increase is included, the city is expected to see 4.5 percent growth in the tax digest and, consequently, a resulting increase in the amount of property taxes paid by homeowners unless the council decides to rollback the millage rate.
Also at the meeting, the council will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request for the Lexington Circle Lofts and Retail development proposed by business owner Dar Thompson. The site is close to the new Sprouts Farmers Market.
The proposal to construct a four-story retail and residential building with approximately 75 condo units received an unfavorable response by the Peachtree City Planning Commission in June.
Thompson is proposing 72-78 residential units ranging from 1,200-1,800 sq. ft. All units will be for sale, he said, adding that the average price of a fee simple condo in the $22-24 million project would be $379,000 and would include on-site concierge services.
Residents from Governor’s Row and Lexington Village attended the planning commission meeting and spoke against the project. Along with density and height issues, residents spoke about increased traffic, noise from rooftop air conditioning units, people in the condos from a greater height being able to “look down” on their Lexington Village neighbors, vibrations from traffic, impacted property values of nearby residences and the “glare cloud” that would disrupt the view the sky and stars.
Council members on July 21 will also consider the findings of an ethics complaint filed by resident and Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority board member John Dufresne concerning the way Councilman Mike King conducted a January public hearing.
Hearing officer and Carrollton attorney Thomas Greer determined that Dufresne’s complaint was not filed in a timely manner. Beyond that, Greer said the complaint was unjustified, frivolous and patently unfounded.
