Friday, November 30, 2001
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Friday, November 30, 2001 |
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Loft craze is coming to Sargent By JOHN
THOMPSON
Loft apartments are not only for city residents. By a unanimous vote last week, the Coweta County Commission approved a rezoning request from Bill Headley who wants to turn a mill in Sargent into apartments. The approval allows Headley to carve 100 loft apartments out of the former Bibb Company's Mill in western Coweta County. The former mill occupies 13.5 acres and features three buildings: the cotton warehouse, the process and finishing facility and the plant offices. All of the buildings are proposed for National Historic Register status and Headley plans to renovate the exterior back to the original brick, along with updating and reglazing the windows. He also plans to add a clubhouse and a swimming pool. In his report on the project, county planner Robert Tolleson said the use is a good fit for the county. "In recent years, the conversion of industrial/warehouse properties has become very popular and a lifesaver for many old and outdated buildings that exist within commuting distance of urban centers," he said. Tolleson recommended approving the project and said several conditions should be added as part of the approval. The conditions included: ·Entrance to the development should be designed to giver consideration to safety at the railroad crossing and the possible need for turn lanes along Main Street. ·Lighting should not adversely affect nearby residences and roadways. ·The project will be served by public water and sewer. The development marks Headley's second foray into the loft market. He previously converted an old mill in downtown Newnan into loft apartments.
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