Councel objects to traffic: mayor cites 'quality of life in turning down center

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizenews.com

Tyrone shoppers are going to have to wait a little longer for a supermarket in their town.

That was the verdict delivered last Thursday as the Town Council unanimously turned down developer John Callaway's proposal for a Publix-anchored shopping center at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Tyrone Road.

Callaway wanted to develop 16 acres on a 60-acre tract as a 118,000-sq. ft. shopping center with a village feel.

“Nothing in Fayette County holds a candle to this development,” he said.

He told the council the shopping center would be similar to a development on St. Simons Island and claimed the proposal was the “best ever submitted to you.”

The crowd that turned out appeared evenly split on the proposal.

Beth Johnson, who has lived in Tyrone for 16 years, summed up the pro-Callaway crowd.

“Everybody wants the convenience of shopping. It would be a major asset for job opportunities,” she said.

But the anti-shopping center group said shopping options surround the town and Tyrone needs to preserve what it has.

“Once the trees are gone, it's all over,” said Molly Turner.

The council agreed with Turner.

Councilman Ronnie Cannon said the development would create traffic problems on Hwy. 74 and the level of services provided to Tyrone residents would be decreased.

“We need to stand by our plan. Somebody needs to stick to the standards that have already been set,” he said.

Councilman Paul Letourneau said he didn't see how a population of 3,800 could support a 52,000-sq. ft. grocery store and didn't want a vacant building to fill if Publix should decide it couldn't make a go of it in the town.

The overriding concern of all the council members was stated by Mayor Sheryl Lee.

“I want to preserve the quality of life here,” she said.

The council unanimously denied Callaway's petition to amend the land use map from residential conservation to limited use conditional.

But the council may not have heard the final word from the developer. Town manager Barry Amos said Callaway had filed a constitutional challenge to the residential zoning saying the current zoning is not the correct one for the property.

Amos said a constitutional challenge must be presented before any lawsuit can be filed.