By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Developer John Callaway's plan to build a shopping center in Tyrone heats up this week as the town's Planning Commission considers two development proposals.

The first proposal concerns a 53-acre site at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Tyrone Road that was the subject of a heated debate earlier in the year. Callaway wanted to build a shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store.

When the town did not approve Callaway's request to change the land use from residential to commercial, Callaway filed suit against the town.

Since the lawsuit was filed, town officials have kept quiet about anything concerning the proposal.

But this Thursday night, Town Manager Barry Amos said the Planning Commission may take action on the request, per advice from the town's attorney.

The second proposal is for a 22-acre site across Tyrone Road that Callaway wants to use to build a strip shopping center. Callaway is asking for a land use map amendment and rezoning to allow the commercial development.

Swirling around all the proposals is a letter from Callaway asking for the town to create a task force to study the development of the Tyrone Road corridor.

Callaway believes the task force would help resolve the issue.

“You would find us willing to try and accommodate ideas which the town had to offer; additionally, we have some new and creative ideas that I think might have an interest to you,” he wrote.

But in her response letter, Mayor Sheryl Lee said a citizens advisory group had already validated the current land use map and she did not see the need for another task force.

“Your request to establish a separate task force to look at only the area which you are concerned with not only is poor planning in my opinion, but is contrary to the public planning process that has already occurred,” she said.

The commission meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.