Friday, June 29, 2001
Friday, June 29, 2001 |
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Rail station draws only criticism of West Village transportation plan
By JOHN
MUNFORD
A preliminary presentation of Peachtree City's golf cart and automobile transportation plan for the West Village area was well received by officials at the Atlanta Regional Commission. The ARC could help the projects through grant funding, although it depends on the plan being approved by the City Council. At last week's council meeting, several council members expressed displeasure that the plan includes a possible site for a local commuter rail station, citing citizen opposition to the station. City Planner David Rast, who has helped guide a citizen's committee that formulated the plan, said the rail station was put near Clover Reach south of The Avenue retail complex to give it less of a regional draw. Mayor Bob Lenox said in the near future local citizens will likely wish they had a commuter rail station so they can work in Atlanta without facing crushing traffic. "What they will do to I-85 and Highway 74 will be frightening," Lenox said, predicting future development and growing traffic in those areas. Planning for the rail station will also allow it to be implemented "on our terms" if it ever comes to pass, Lenox noted. "If we end up having one, we had better plan for it," said councilwoman Carol Fritz. The plan to have a cart path bridge spanning Ga. Highway 54 West as a "gateway" to the city for motorists coming from Coweta County did draw favorable comments from council, however. The plan also includes a possible cart path tunnel under Hwy. 74 north to connect the area to the Westpark Walk development and the rest of the city. Also on the plan are access roads north and south of Hwy. 54 West to allow residents a second option to stay off the highway and still get around town. The plan takes into consideration the planned Wal-Mart and Home Depot retail center, commercial development planned just off the north side of the highway, and possible commercial re-development that could take place just south of the highway. The committee is also working with the major commercial developer in the area, RAM Development, to develop architectural guidelines for the area, Rast added.
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