If

your project generates too much traffic, we won't

let you build it.

That's

what Peachtree City soon may say to developers

who want to build along a congested corridor in

the western part of the city.

Facing

a traffic problem that seems to be growing

geometrically, Peachtree City is considering a

couple of options that could drastically affect

development along the Ga. Highway 54 corridor

near the Coweta County line.

City

Council will have a public hearing at its Sept.

16 meeting to allow for discussion of a possible

traffic impact ordinance.

This

measure, if approved, would require any future

development that could potentially have a

significant impact on traffic in the area to have

a traffic analysis performed, and if an

unacceptable impact is predicted, the project

could be delayed unless a way can be found to

reduce the impact.

The

city also is taking no action on new building

permits along the corridor in the immediate

future, and a building moratorium could be

enacted for the area, depending upon the outcome

of the public hearing.

Federal

regulations are making it difficult to find

traffic solutions, as lawsuits relating to air

quality requirements have slowed major

improvements around metro Atlanta to a virtual

stop. Continued development along Hwy. 54 between

Peachtree City and Newnan is not making the

situation any better.

spokesman for the Georgia Department of

Transportation told the City Council at last

week's regular meeting that planned widening of

Hwy. 54 on the western end of the city is not

likely to be completed before about 2008. This

project was on schedule for timely completion,

with right-of-way expected to be acquired

beginning this summer, until legal action stopped

federal funding. Now, right-of-way acquisition is

expected to begin in 2003.

The

city can make no improvements that would increase

capacity on state highways while this issue is

being litigated. The addition of auxiliary lanes,

turn lanes, traffic signals and similar

improvements are permitted.

Council

conducted an extensive discussion of this issue

during the meeting, with input from city fire and

police officials, who cautioned that emergency

response is getting more and more difficult in

this critical area, especially during peak

traffic times.

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