By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

Fayette County commissioners Thursday will consider Pathway Communities' rezoning request for a 172-home subdivision on Line Creek.

Peachtree City's government has asked the commissioners to either delay or deny the request to give the city more time to study annexation options in the proposed West Village area.

The 1,200 acres eyed by the city for annexation includes the 364.7-acre Pathway property.

Following a lengthy argument from Pathway attorney Doug Dillard, the county Planning Commission recently voted 3-2, with members Jim Graw and Fred Bowen opposed, to recommend approval of the request.

The firm has filed a formal constitutional objection in case the county should deny the request, saying that denial would “be unconstitutional and discriminate in an arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable manner.”

The county's planning staff have recommended denial, citing environmental concerns over the proximity of Line Creek as well as the Peach Pit, an old land fill that borders the property.

The proposed development is bordered by the city limits of Peachtree City on the south and east, and by Line Creek on the west.

With more than 100 acres of the site unusable because they lie in wetlands and flood plain, most of the lots in the proposed subdivision would be about an acre in size.

Because the county has no sewer system available, the use of septic tanks on one-acre lots is a concern, according to the zoning staff, and even more of a concern because of the proximity of the creek, which is tagged as a major source of water for the county.

Dillard said the firm is prepared to do whatever is necessary to make sure septic tanks don't pose any problems for Line Creek.

“The soils perk,” he said. “There is no reason why septic tanks can't be put on one-acre lots.” He added, “We're going to do more to protect that water source than any government agency and any previous property owner.”

Staff also has expressed concern about the fact that the only way in and out of the subdivision would be over an at-grade railroad crossing.

Dillard scoffed. “This idea that we can't cross the CSX railroad is folly,” he said.

Dillard said the company also will do whatever is necessary to ensure that the Peach Pit land fill doesn't pose any danger to the future residents. The land fill also is owned by Pathway.

The county's land use plan calls for residential lots of one to two acres in the area, and Dillard said the Pathway request is well within that window.

Commissioners will consider the rezoning request in a public hearing Thursday at 7 p.m. at the County Administrative Complex.

Among other items on the agenda will be:

New standards for telecommunications towers.

The Planning Commission is recommending that the county reduce the required distance between towers and homes, and between towers, and allow variances in hardship cases.

Gerald Goldklang's rezoning request for a cancer treatment clinic next to Fayette Community Hospital on Ga. Highway 54 west. Both the zoning staff and Planning Commission have recommended approval.

Developer Dan Stinchcomb's rezoning request to allow him to use a residential lot in the Brierfield subdivision as a recreational/amenity area. Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

The complete agenda is available at the county web site, admin.co.fayette.ga.us.