By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

First, it was Senoia. Now, Grantville is jumping on the annexation bandwagon, much to the chagrin of the Coweta County Commission.

The commissioners learned Tuesday that the western Coweta city wants to annex 87 acres along Grandma Branch Road. The city plans to zone it R-14, which would dramatically increase the density on the property, said county planner Robert Tolleson.

Under the county's zoning 66 homes could be built on the property. But Grantville's zoning would allow 198 homes, which is a 200-percent increase in density.

Tolleson also said that permitted uses in the R-14 district include sewerage treatment facilities, rooming and boarding homes and group care homes, which would not be comparable with adjacent county property.

He urged the county to file an intent to object based on the increased density and the non-residential land uses allowed in Grantville's zoning district.

The planner also suggested several mitigative measures to try and reach a compromise with the city. The suggestions included:

•Restrict the property to single-family residential only.

•Stipulate the project must be served by public water and public sewer.

•Insist that all lots bordering the county have a minimum lot size of one acre and a minimum size of 1,450 sq.ft.

•Annex any unincorporated islands that are created by the annexation.

Grantville now has 30 days to answer the county's objections.