Council OKs annexation of 46 acres near Starr’s Mill schools

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Map of proposed annexation of 46 acres on Peachtree City's southern border. Graphic/City of Peachtree City.
Map of proposed annexation of 46 acres on Peachtree City's southern border. Graphic/City of Peachtree City.

In Peachtree City’s first Zoom annexation, the City Council Thursday night unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning of 46 acres on the city’s southern tip to permit the construction of 74 homes on 39 acres of the parcel.

Peachtree City Councilman Kevin Madden
Peachtree City Councilman Kevin Madden makes constitutional argument in favor of residential development of the 46-acre annexation. Photo/Cal Beverly.

The applicant, Steve Moore, made his case for the annexation from his office in McDonough, displayed on the big screen in the council chambers at City Hall. He said the houses will be constructed by Jeff Lindsey Communities of Senoia.

Lots will be 80 feet wide on 12,000 square feet and homes will be in the “farmhouse-craftsman style,” Moore told the council.

Two residents of Mountbrook subdivision who live across Redwine Road from the proposed development complained of increased traffic and difficulty getting out of their subdivision onto Redwine because of morning and evening traffic from nearby Starr’s Mill school complex.

In arguing for the annexation, Councilman Kevin Madden noted that the property owner has the right to develop the property. While many people focus on the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, “the next three amendments are about property rights,” one of the foundations of the nation’s democracy, Madden said.

Cart path connections to the city’s network and to Fayette County’s multi-use path running alongside Redwine Road are included in the development plans.

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Earlier story —

By this time tomorrow, Peachtree City could be 46 acres larger. City staff is recommending the City Council approve an annexation and rezoning shown in the map above that would permit 74 new homes to be built along Redwine Road, within sight of the Starr’s Mill school complex.

As the staff report to council says, “the properties are currently large-lot single-family homes and horse stables” and currently zoned for low-density 1-acre-minimum residential lots.

The proposal is to change 39 acres of the 46 acres total to half-acre lots, thus nearly doubling the permitted density within a short distance from the entrance to an elementary school, middle school and high school.

The site is close to Wilshire Estates and Foreston Place inside the city, both of which have comparable or higher density residential zoning. “The proposed density of 1.91 units per acre is appropriate for this property,” the city staff report says.

Build-out would add $93,000 to the city tax collections each year, the staff report estimates.

The council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.