A schematic

plan is now in place for commercial development on the northern side of

Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City.

Unveiled at

the Planning Commission meeting Monday night, the plan includes 12 free

standing buildings, the largest of which is 29,000 sq. ft. for a potential

grocery store that would be anchored along the railroad tracks to the

southeast of Home Depot.

Grading for

the area could start in 30 days or less, according to Doug McMurrain of

RAM Development, which owns most of the parcels along the northern side

of Hwy. 54 in the corridor.

"We have

tenants that are ready, willing and able to go," McMurrain said,

adding that RAM will conduct a traffic study in accordance with the city's

traffic ordinance. "It appears to be moving smoothly, and we hope

it continues to do so."

The commission

unanimously voted 4-0 to endorse the schematic plan, with commissioner

Robert Buckley absent.

The entire

plan, which also includes a possible bank and gas station along with five

retail stores and three restaurants, calls for a total of 116,400 square

feet and 715 parking spaces. Although the area could have as many as 12

to 15 curb cuts, the current plan utilizes only four, thanks to the use

of a secondary access road, said City Planner David Rast.

That access

road would link up with MacDuff Parkway, going behind the planned commercial

units and linking up with the eastern access point to Hwy. 54 at the traffic

light near the entrance to the Planterra Ridge subdivision.

The plan contains

a series of courtyards that will be located between the buildings with

landscaping features such as sculptures and fountains, Rast said. A sidewalk

system will connect to the planned bridge over Hwy. 54 West for the city's

cart path system.

Though the

plan was developed with the help of an advisory board and overlay committee,

there was also praise for RAM Development, which worked with both entities

to help create the plan.

"I want

to commend the developer for the time and effort he has put in to work

with the city," said citizen Phyllis Augayo. "... I'm very pleased

with the plan."

"I think

it's turning out very well," said Jerry Peterson of Pathway Communities.

"As a concept plan I think it's very good and I recommend it."

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