Plans to build

a Loco's Deli and Pub on Ga. Highway 314 near several subdivisions may

be derailed by a distance requirement in the city's alcohol ordinance.

Residents in

the area have opposed the plans for the restaurant, citing public safety

and nuisance issues as their main concerns. At Tuesday's meeting of the

city's Planning and Zoning Commission, it was announced that the city

attorney's office has indicated the property is too close to one neighborhood

to qualify for a license to serve alcohol.

Over 30 residents

who attended the meeting to oppose the restaurant-pub plans broke into

light applause with the news.

Jahnee Prince,

the city's director of planning and zoning, said the city attorney had

indicated that the measurement must only be made to the property line

of the parcel that would be adversely affected by the issuing of the alcohol

sales license.

"... This

property wouldn't be eligible to receive a permit to serve alcohol,"

Prince said.

Darrell Baker

of Thomas Enterprises said the city attorney had previously ruled the

property would qualify for an alcohol sales license. He conceded that

if it is determined the property does not qualify, the developer will

not allow a restaurant to locate there intending to seek an alcohol sales

license.

The site in

question is located just south of the Bank of America on Hwy. 314 near

New Hope Road. Thomas Enterprises is seeking approval for a 5,000 sq.

ft. building on the parcel, which has been zoned commercial for a number

of years.

The subdivisions

located behind the site are actually in the county not within the city

limits. The commission heard their concerns for almost an hour.

One of the

chief complaints was that the restaurant would create a noise nuisance.

Planning commissioner Allan Feldman urged residents to call police and

file complaints if noise becomes a concern.

Baker pledged

that the site would be cleaned of trash on a regular basis, as is the

Fayette Pavilion.

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