Coweta-Fayette EMC is leaving

Newnan to set up shop in Palmetto.

The Coweta County Commission

gave unanimous approval Tuesday night to rezone 73 acres at the intersection

of Weldon Road and Collingsworth Road from Rural Reserve to LM-Light Industrial.

The electric cooperative plans

to build its new headquarters at the site and company officials have said

construction could start as soon as January.

In the conceptual site plan

submitted to the County Commission last week, EMC plans to build a two-story

administration building, along with a one-story vehicle storage building

and a one story warehouse.

In its recommendation for approving

the rezoning, the county's planning department said the business was important

to the area's economy and deep buffers would mitigate any adverse aesthetic

effect associated with the development.

The planning department also

had several conditions which EMC agreed to follow.

Some of the conditions included:

Provide additional right-of-way

along Collingsworth Road.

Install a 100-ft. wide buffer

where the property adjoins residents.

Provide deceleration lanes

at both of the warehouse road entrances on Collingsworth Road and Weldon

Road.