A rezoning request scheduled for consideration by the Peachtree City Planning Commission this Monday could have a major effect on the current workings of the annexation task force.

John Wieland Homes is the applicant for the 102-acre site west of the CSX railroad and north of the Cedarcroft subdivision.

Known as the Katz property, it is actually two tracts — one owned by the Katz family, and the other by Pathway Communities. They have been combined for the purposes of this request, according to city development director Jim Williams.

Wieland wants to build 408 homes on the site. The requested residential zoning would allow four homes per acre. The property is now zoned industrial.

But city officials feel that the request is not a good idea, especially in light of the work the task force is now doing to consider the merit of developing the entire 1,100-acre West Village as a part of Peachtree City.

Although the property owners have been working with the group, as have Wieland representatives, approval of this request could seriously complicate the task force's mission and possibly cause problems within the groups, Williams said.

Williams said city staff has taken the same position with this request as they did with another West Village parcel that Pathway has petitioned Fayette County to rezone. He wants the Planning Commission to table the request, or if Wieland pushes for a fast decision, to recommend denial.

“We're of the opinion that putting that many houses that close to the railroad tracks is a bad idea under any circumstances,” said Williams.

The Planning Commission meeting will be preceded Monday by a 6 p.m. workshop with Dr. Kevin Armbrust from the University of Georgia. He will address the group on watershed protection and, in particular, the effects of pesticides and lawn chemicals on the environment. The public is invited to attend.

This is part of a new program that Williams says is helping the Planning Commission become educated on a number of topics relevant to their duties. Workshops like this one will be scheduled every few months.

Armbrust is getting ready to begin a major study in this area, Williams said, he will explain how his work could benefit the city.

Other items on the agenda for the regular Monday meeting, which starts at 7, are conceptual site plans for L.T. Mechanical and an expansion of MA Industries, both of which are on Dividend Drive.

Also scheduled are discussions of scenic road status for Sumner Road, a proposed median cut at Nature's Nursery, and a possible change in the Planning Commission's conceptual site plan review procedures.

A landscape plan for Lexington Commons, on Ga. Highway 54 at Walt Banks Road, and a concept plat for Ashton Park subdivision on Robinson Road, are up for consideration as well.

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