Friday, May 11,
2001
|
|
|
Massive development brewing just south of here By JOHN
THOMPSON
Secrets could finally be revealed at a June 12 public hearing on the zoning for Coweta County's megasite. The site is two exits south of Palmetto just off Interstate 85 and could possibly be declared a development of regional impact, requiring comment from South Fulton representatives for final approval. For months, rumors have flown through Coweta that an automobile plant, perhaps Volkswagen, wanted to build an auto plant at the 1,032-acre site near Interstate 85 in Moreland. During Tuesday's meeting of the Coweta County Commission, the board voted to set a public hearing on changing the property's zoning category from Rural Reserve to M-Heavy Industrial. But the board hoped the secrecy surrounding the project would finally be lifted. "I'd like to know what they intend to do with it," Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said. In the application packet for rezoning, Rick Lindsey, acting as attorney for the owners of the property, said the site will be the location of a prominent international company's manufacturing plant. The site will include two 250-acre sites that each feature a 2.2-million-sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Also planned for the site are an interior loop road, a 40-acre lake and open wooded space. The application states that 3,000 jobs would be created and construction costs would be $500-700 million. Coweta County could be expected to reap between $5 million and $7 million in property taxes each year. The company would build an on-site wastewater treament facility for pre-treatment and produce 340,000 gallons of sewage a day, along with using 510,000 gallons of water. Officials estimate the 24-hour peak traffic volume to be 1,200 vehicles. In his initial take on the project, planning director Robert Tolleson suggests the county deny the project. Tolleson said the future land use map calls for the site to be light industrial and said the site also is the location of natural resources important to the community. The town of Moreland, which is next to the property, also weighed in on the proposal. Moreland officials asked that an entrance/exit for the facility be placed on U.S. Highway 29 or Interstate 85 to keep thousands of cars off Bethlehem Church Road. City officials also want the large trees to remain in any buffer areas. The public hearing on the project is set for 7 p.m. June 12 at the County Administrative Building on Perry Street in Newnan.
Back to South Fulton News Home Page | Back to the top of the page |