Several members of the Peachtree City Council expressed concern last week about the authority of the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.

Councilwoman Carol Fritz said she wondered about ARC's desire to have high-density development in areas near rail stations, one of which may be built in or near Peachtree City.

Mayor Bob Lenox, who also serves as ARC's secretary, said there is some reason to worry about GRTA's recent notification to Fayette County that the agency would “activate jurisdiction” over transportation matters. But he added that he doesn't think GRTA wants to usurp local government to make local zoning decisions.

GRTA and ARC realize Peachtree City is not like downtown Atlanta, Lenox said, adding that they hold Peachtree City in high regard.

Councilman Robert Brooks pointed out that Peachtree City is already the most dense area of Fayette County.

“You don't want to make it more dense,” Brooks said.

Councilwoman Annie McMenamin said she wanted to know how to get council's message to ARC and the other “powers that be.” Brooks suggested that council write a nicely worded letter to the agencies.

Lenox said ARC and GRTA are both taking flack from other counties.

“They are getting lots of `By God, you're not taking over my town,'” Lenox remarked.

Recently, the ARC asked Peachtree City — along with other governments in the region — for a commitment to a two-year Transportation Improvement Plan. The TIP is a plan to spend federal funds on transportation in the Atlanta area.

The ARC wants to make sure the cities and counties understand what projects they approved in the 2001-2003 TIP and acknowledge that they are budgeting funds to pay for the projects, Lenox said.

The city council is only responsible for funding the projects in Peachtree City, not the ones for Fayette County, the mayor added.

Lenox responded to the ARC with a letter stating that the city is budgeting funds to help pay for the city's share to match the federal funds for transportation projects in the city.

The city has two projects that are part of the 2001-2003 TIP. One will connect the multi-use path system to The Park, an industrial and office area on the east side of Ga. Highway 74 south. That calls for $58,000 in a federal grant combined with $14,000 from the city.

The other project will provide landscaping along Ga. Highway 54 from Lake Peachtree to Peachtree Parkway. That calls for $66,000 in federal money and $17,000 in funds from the city.

City spokesman Betsy Tyler said both items have already been approved in the city's budget by council.

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