Often times

it is difficult for a municipality to have its

shortcomings discussed in a public forum. It is even more

difficult for public officials in a city like Peachtree

City to discuss its problems since there is such a great

deal of hype regarding the virtues of our planned

community. However, you will find that very often these

shortcomings are not dealt with until there is a public

outcry.

Well, there

is another shortcoming to add to the list: poor planning

and zoning. Did you know that Wal-Mart tried to build in

neighboring Tyrone and was not allowed to do it? Tyrone

had ordinances in place to protect them from the burdens

of having a "big box" in town. Fayetteville has

an ordinance in place that will not allow a big-box

retailer to build unless there is access to a four-lane

highway.

So what

happened to Peachtree City? Where is the foresight? Why

are we having to react to developer proposals instead of

being pro-active and taking control?

It is

absolutely crucial that Peachtree City's Master Plan and

zoning ordinance language describing each land use

district accurately portray the city's intention for that

area. Our Mayor Lenox and Councilman Jim Pace most likely

think that what we have is just fine, but a rapidly

growing number of citizens disagree. Big-box retail is

relatively new and Peachtree City absolutely needs to

impose a development moratorium until we can get our

planning documents revised and adopt appropriate

standards instead of continuing to be broad-sided by

oncoming developments.

The citizen

opposition to the big boxes is enormous so why is the

city council allowing things to proceed any further? Our

city began on a great foundation with cart paths and the

village concept, but we have slipped and fallen.

The

Peachtree City "gridlock triangle" has the

potential to be an absolute nightmare. Having the big

boxes along the Ga. Highway 74-Kedron corridor, Peachtree

Parkway and Ga. Highway 54 will bring us nothing but

misery.

I have

found some great examples of cities across the United

States and Canada that are doing a great job with

planning and zoning. We simply need to do some research.

Should

Peachtree City be touted as a nationally recognized

community? Unfortunately, when it comes to planning,

zoning, measuring impacts of development and accurately

portraying the citizens' desires for Peachtree City, we

are currently closer to the bottom than the top.

If you are

willing to circulate an anti-big box petition in your

subdivision, please call 770-487-7790.

Steve

Brown

Peachtree

City

[email protected] -