Planning Commission was out of line on choice of shingles, city attorney says
The Peachtree City Council on Sept. 1 will take up the issue of a proposed roof replacement for the Westpark Walk commercial center at the intersection of Ga. highways 54 and 74. The council is also expected to consider the new budget for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the adoption of the 2016 millage rate.
The request to replace the leaking Westpark Walk commercial roof with architectural shingles rather than the current metal roof will be decided by the council on Sept. 1. The request to do so received an unfavorable ruling by the Planning Commission on Aug. 8.
The Planning Commission on Aug. 8 denied the roof request by property owner CORO Realty at the intersection of Ga. highways 54 and 74, not because it did not conform to ordinance requirements, but because shingles did not reflect what the commission wanted to see in the heavily traveled area.
The council on Sept. 1 will hear a recommendation from attorney Ted Meeker who reviewed relevant city ordinances and “found the decision of the Planning Commission to be outside the parameters of the Land Development Ordinance, therefore the decision of the Planning Commission should be reversed and the submittal of the applicant approved.”
CORO Realty retained the services of local attorney Rick Lindsey to take up the issue with the city.
In denying the permissable use of architectural shingles, “the Planning Commission exceeded its legal authority and my client looks to the City Council to rectify this matter,” Lindsey said, citing federal and state constitutional provisions that would be violated if the approval is not granted.
Planning Commissioner Aaron Daily on Aug. 8 said replacing the metal roof with architectural shingles would be a “perceived downgrade” in a “very visible part of Peachtree City” and with Commissioner David Conner saying the metal roof “has a better look and a more expensive look.”
The council on Sept. 1 will also consider approval of the FY 2017 Convention and Visitors Bureau budget.
CVB Executive Director Jennifer Johnson is expected to review the organization’s achievement during 2016 along with the economic impact of tourism in the city.
The proposed budget totals $795,500, with $768,100 of that amount coming from the Hotel/Motel Transfer Tax.
The council on Sept. 1 is scheduled to adopt the 2016 millage rate which will keep the rate at 6.756 mills and serve as a tax increase due to rising property values.
