Rockaway Townhomes plan advances with unanimous vote

Peachtree City’s Planning Commission unanimously approved concept plat modifications for the Rockaway Townhomes, a long-planned project at 201 Rockaway Road across from Somerby Senior Living, at its Aug. 25 meeting. 

Senior Planner Lora Hooks told commissioners the site—rezoned to Limited Use Commercial (LUC-20) in 2007—was originally tied to 30 age-restricted units paired with the Somerby development. In 2020, City Council lifted the 50-and-older requirement and adjusted related conditions, including driveway alignment and a Rockaway Road landscape buffer affected by a Georgia Power easement. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the updated layout. 

A key change links the neighborhood entrance to a new City access road planned between Rockaway Road and Meade Field. The City Manager and the City Engineer met with the developer to coordinate the connection, which would remove an additional curb cut on Rockaway Road and improve traffic safety, commissioners said. Developer representative Richard Ferry supported the redesign and cost-sharing for the roadway connection. 

Parking and circulation also improve under the new plan. Townhome depths increase from 22 to 24 feet, creating longer driveways and wider pedestrian space. A covered central mailbox location remains, and the multi-use path connection is unchanged from prior approvals. The Fire Marshal is reviewing a fire lane configuration, which may be adjusted before permits are issued. 

Commissioners highlighted a few watch items. Vice Chair Kenneth Hamner noted the property lies within a 100-year floodplain and suggested coordination with Stormwater Management. Chair Scott Ritenour asked the developer to revisit earlier discussions about ensuring an adequate landscape buffer. Amenities remain limited on-site given the project’s proximity to Meade Field. 

Per prior conditions, the City Engineer will sign off on the final entrance design during site-plan review, and a landscape plan must be approved by the Planning Commission before certificates of occupancy are issued.