Peachtree City's

rules for development could become more strict down the line, as the Planning

Commission is exploring ideas such as putting a expiration date on concept

plats and final plats for developments.

The commission

has been discussing its mission over the past few meetings, and several

commissioners have complained about developments that are approved by

the city but aren't underway for some time.

One example

was brought up at Monday's commission meeting. Several commissioners were

chafing over the clearing of commercially zoned land at the northwest

corner of Ga. Highway 54 and MacDuff Parkway.

But City Planner

David Rast said that land was approved as part of a plan submitted several

years ago along with other commercial properties along Hwy. 54 which proceed

towards the east. As a result, the city could not feasibly penalize the

developer, RAM Development, for clearing the property, Rast said.

limits during which development plans could expire, it could improve the

quality of development in the city, several commissioners agreed.

The commission

also discussed the possibility of requiring projects to have irrigation

systems for landscaped areas. Currently, the city asks developers to agree

to replace any landscaping that falls prey to dry conditions within the

first year of planting. The commission is also considering bumping that

up to two years and possibly building that language into an ordinance.

"It would

be more defensible if it is enacted or adopted as an ordinance,"

Rast said.