In a roof at the center of the city, the contest was looks versus law as esthetic preferences ran up against a city ordinance last week. The ordinance won.
A Sept. 1 decision by the Peachtree City Council granted a request by Westpark Walk to replace its aging and leaking roof with architectural shingles rather than a replacement metal roof. The move reversed an earlier decision by the Planning Commission.
The council voted unanimously to reverse the Aug. 8 unfavorable decision by the Planning Commission to approve architectural shingle roofing on the retail center at the intersection of Ga. highways 54 and 74 in the city’s commercial center.
The current metal roof was installed in 1987 and is experiencing significant issues with leaking. Representing CORO Realty, attorney Rick Lindsey — a former city attorney for Peachtree City — at the Sept. 1 meeting said 64 percent of tenants are currently having water issues.
Lindsey explained that replacing the leaking existing metal roof with an updated metal roof would be price-prohibitive, adding that using architectural shingles as a replacement was within current ordinances.
On replacing the current roof with another metal roof, Lindsey said the metal product used in the 1980s would not meet today’s codes.
“The owner realizes (Westpark Walk) is in the heart of the city,” Lindsey said, applauding the Planning Commission for doing its job but stating that commissioners overstepped their legal bounds in recommending denial of the architectural shingle proposal.
That position was echoed minutes later when City Attorney Ted Meeker said there was no legal basis to deny the request to replace the roof with the 30-year architectural shingle roof proposed by CORO.
City Manager Jon Rorie in his comments said the intention of the Planning Commission was good, adding the recommendation that the decision be reversed.
The council agreed and voted unanimously to have the roof replaced using architectural shingles.
The motion to reverse the Planning Commission also came with CORO’s suggestion to work with planning department staff to add accent points when replacing the roof.
There were no public comments on the agenda item.
