Proposed changes

to the Lexington Park multiuse development could end up being a benefit,

Peachtree City staff told the City Council during its regular meeting

Thursday night.

Developers

are proposing an increase in the number of homes and a reduction in the

commercial portion of the development. Council already has approved limited

use commercial zoning for the project, but the proposed changes might

be so significant that a new rezoning would be required.

Acting on the

staff recommendation, council scheduled a public hearing on the possibility

of lifting the city's moratorium on multifamily housing for its next meeting,

Oct. 19.

Jim Williams,

the city's director of developmental services, said the proposal would

likely help traffic in the area. He also said staff needs to look further

into the details of the proposal, which suggests many other changes for

the property at the intersection of Ga. Highway 54 and Walt Banks Road.

"We feel

very strongly this is a wise decision as far as we're concerned,"

Williams said.

Bob Adams Homes

is proposing that the number of residential units be increased from 160

to 260, including both lofts and town houses.

The company

is asking to reduce the amount of retail space, including restaurants,

from 200,000 square feet to 134,000 square feet. Also, Adams Homes wants

to cut in half the original office space, from 90,000 square feet to about

40,000.

Another new

tweak to the plan is a request for 68,000 square feet of "live/work

space" and an additional 45,000 square feet set aside for a hotel

or assisted living space.

"These

are very specific changes," Williams said, adding that he is confident

the city will be able to help devise a good site plan before the end of

the year.

Bob Adams Homes'

option on the land expires Dec. 31. If the option is not exercised, the

land would revert to its original zoning effectively scrapping the entire

project.

Councilman

Robert Brooks said the project won't end up being an apartment complex,

and it's important for the public to realize this is a mixed-use plan.

But Councilman Dan Tennant pointed out that there has been no commitment

not to put apartments in Lexington Park.

"The terminology

I get is that it will be market-driven," Tennant said.

Brooks said

it is important for council to begin the process of studying the proposed

changes.

Councilwoman

Annie McMenamin said it wouldn't be good if the property reverted to its

former zoning, noting that the city was involved in a 14-year legal battle

over the land.

"A considerable

amount of tax dollars over the years have been spent on this," she

said. "It would be a terrible tragedy if it reverts back to its old

zoning."

Williams noted

that a neighborhood association supported having more residential space

and less commercial space in Lexington Park.

The "fast

track" schedule would allow the city Planning Commission to have

a public hearing on the rezoning request Oct. 23 so the matter could possibly

come before council for a final decision Nov. 2.