Traffic ordinance cited as main reason for denial recommedation

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Wal-Mart's attempt to come to Peachtree City has hit a snag.

The developer's proposed site plan for the superstore was denied by the Peachtree City Planning Commission at its meeting Monday night. The denial came at the recommendation of city officials who claim the store will violate the city's traffic ordinance.

RAM Development plans to appeal the decision to the City Council, said Doug Dillard, an attorney representing RAM Development.

Dillard told the commission that the traffic ordinance does not apply to the store since the plans were first submitted in October, before the ordinance was enacted.

Dillard also said the company feels it has tried to work with the city on making sure the additional traffic brought on by the Wal-Mart won't get too bad.

“We feel we have satisfied the intent of the ordinance and therefore should be approved,” he said.

A recent court case also upheld that traffic cannot be the sole factor for turning down a project, Dillard said. He added that the city has approved all the other permits needed for the project.

The traffic ordinance requires developers to make traffic improvements if studies show the project will degrade traffic flow in the area.

City development director Jim Williams said he didn't see the commission had a choice but to deny the plan since it didn't meet the traffic ordinance.

“Our traffic consultant advised us that the project doesn't meet the requirements of the ordinance,” Williams said. “The city attorney has assured me this is the position we must take.”

The motion to deny the Wal-Mart conceptual plan was unanimous.

Doug McMurrain of RAM Development said the traffic estimate numbers from the city's traffic consultants and RAM's traffic consultants weren't far off.

“We were off by 5 percent,” McMurrain said Wednesday. “We're really very close on the traffic estimates.”

McMurrain also pointed out that the state Department of Transportation has approved the company's permits for the additional traffic improvements. RAM's consultants suggested two traffic improvements for the development in addition to the improvements planned for the Home Depot project, which will be attached to the proposed Wal-Mart store.

After the meeting, Dillard said the company was willing to compromise with council if it wishes.

“We're hopeful we can resolve it,” Dillard said. “We have been committed to working with the city and cooperating with them.”