Wednesday, November 15, 2000
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Wednesday, November 15, 2000 |
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PTC delays decision on Lexington Commons
By JOHN MUNFORD
The Peachtree City Planning Commission declined to make a final decision on the Lexington Commons rezoning request at its meeting Monday night. Since new information from the developers was received earlier in the day, several commissioners said they wanted to study the matter more. City staff didn't have enough time to review the new information and provide a recommendation on the rezoning petition, which would increase the number of lofts from 160 to 260 and add over 68,000 square feet of "live-work space." Instead of tabling the matter entirely, the commission allowed the developers to present their responses to concerns from city staff and the commission. But even more concerns about Lexington Commons were posed by citizens after the developers' presentation, particularly regarding the potential impact on the school system and the effect on the nearby church and McIntosh High School. Planning Commissioner Rich Schumacher said a letter from Fayette County School Superintendent John DeCotis indicated it would be difficult for the school system to handle the projected number of students from Lexington Commons. "That issue alone hangs me up on the project," he said. But developer Bob Adams said there are only three children under the age of 20 living in his developments currently in Peachtree City, and 79 percent of those residents are retired. Phyllis Aguayo said the land had been intended to have a minimum of one-acre lots, and the city had won a lawsuit back in 1991 that upheld a decision to deny a plan for a shopping center there. Now, the city has a proposal that wants to increase the number of apartments and have a significant commercial element, she added. "I don't see how we can win a lawsuit and still be in this situation," Aguayo said. Pamela Kemp said the Lexington Commons project is similar to a proposed retail development on Ga. Highway 74 just south of Peachtree City that city officials are trying to convince Fayette County to deny. "I have a problem with us going to the county to ask to respect our land use plan when we don't respect our land use plan," Kent said. To address staff's concerns about the size of the development's largest retail buildings, the "big boxes," Adams said the developers would guarantee a minimum of 25,000 square feet oriented towards smaller shops. Walgreens has already signed on to occupy one of those buildings, while they hope to attract a grocery store to the largest building, which is capped at 50,000 square feet. The only other two large buildings earmarked for retail are 40,000 square feet and 25,000 square feet. Adams said the issues about traffic improvements to Walt Banks Road and the landscape buffering along Ga. Highway 54 the two main thoroughfares bordering Lexington Commons were resolved. The developers will fund the traffic improvements to Walt Banks Road and an impact fee will fund the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Walt Banks and Peachtree Parkway, Adams said. Also, the landscape buffering issue was resolved since another look at the site revealed that natural berming wouldn't block the stores from view of traffic on Hwy. 54. The developers also addressed concerns about the exterior design of the buildings and parking for the lofts, which has been changed from the original plan to have an underground parking area at two of the loft buildings. "We'll have 1.8 (parking) spaces per unit," Adams said. He also provided the commission with an example of the architectural controls the developers plan to use on the project. Adams also explained that the main loft buildings would be three stories on one side and four stories on the other. That includes the amenities on the first floor, including a laundry area and a weight room. As far as the loft sizes, Adams said only 5 percent of the lofts would have three bedrooms, while 50 percent would have two bedrooms and 45 percent would have one bedroom. Lexington Commons also has a central park that will be open for use by all city residents. Overflow parking has also been planned for the area to handle a larger crowd that might appear at times for events there, Adams said. In other business, the commission approved conceptual site plans for the following developments: Earl's Quality Car Care, which will be relocated to Dividend Drive. A fifth office building at Jefferson Corners, located at Stevens Entry and Eastbrook Bend. An office and warehouse building for Redmond and Sons on Hwy. 74 near Kelly Drive. A medical building housing several doctors on Westpark Court in the Westpark Walk area. The commission also approved landscape plans for The Avenue at Peachtree City on City Circle and the BellSouth building expansion on Petrol Point. Jitterbuggers teen club closes By MICHAEL BOYLAN mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com
There will soon be one less alternative for area teens. Jitterbuggers, the teen club in Peachtree City, is closing its doors effective Dec. 1. The club, which has been open for a year and a half, was unable to raise money to buy the 30-year-old building in Tivoli Gardens where it has been located. The club has had 13,000 visitors, 32 part-time employees, national recognition, and support from The United Way, Coca-Cola, Pizza hut, Chick-Fil-A, National Service Industries and Pathway Communities. Thirty bands from 10 area high schools have performed in over 140 concerts at the club, as well as concerts held in conjunction with the YMCA on Huiet Road. Owner Richard Thompson recalls several very special moments that shaped the club over the past 18 months, such as the teen who stopped by last Christmas Eve and shared the story of his heart condition. The young man then went on to form his own band and make a splash in the local talent pool of musicians. Thompson also recalls a young man who stayed at the club late one night so that he could be at the teen center when he turned 18 at the stroke of midnight. Many people contributed to the success of the club, including Berniece Wassell of the Commission on Children and Youth, Jim Basinger of the Peachtree City Government for having the cart path built to connect the club with the rest of the community, Kristi Davis of the United Way and the Fulstrum family, which donated their record collection to enable the young people who visited the club to hear some of the sounds of the 40, 50, 60, and 70s. The Jitterbuggers website, developed by students at Starr's Mill High School, has spread the message of community based entertainment throughout America with over 23 communities in 10 states now modeling their on teen centers after Jitterbuggers success. Jitterbuggers had a membership base of 300 people who made new friends, new ideas and shared a common goal. While Jitterbuggers was a place for local kids to dance, play games and hang out, it was also a place where they could deal with issues such as teen crime, rights of teens, alcohol and drug awareness and tobacco prevention. There was also one night that a young woman visited the club and confided that she had been assaulted by an acquaintance at her boyfriend's home. She was told it is never wrong to report a wrong and was encouraged by people at the club to report the incident to the police. Jitterbuggers' name was built on dance and on Dec. 1, young dancers from the club will perform at a black tie event at the Georgia World Congress Center to celebrate the Festival of Trees. On Dec. 2, Jitterbuggers will be the featured act of the Healthcare Children's Parade with 20 coupes decked out in green ball gowns and black tuxes. They will start this parade accompanied by the Salem High School marching band. "Thanks to the many young people in our county who helped build onto the dream of a place for young people to go for quality entertainment in their community," Thompson said. "The lessons we have learned together in the last year and a half will last a lifetime." He also expressed thanks to two young ladies who have helped tirelessly volunteering their time, his daughter Amanda Thompson and Traci Adcock. "I challenge our community and young people to continue to reach for the stars in your endeavors," Thompson said. "Never be ashamed of what you believe in and know your dreams are worth fighting to obtain."
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