Wednesday, January 16, 2002
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Wednesday, January 16, 2002 |
| Critics say
development moratorium will hurt PTC
By JOHN MUNFORD
The clock is ticking on Peachtree City's 90-day development moratorium. With new mayor Steve Brown citing a pressing need to simplify and review development ordinances, the City Council approved the moratorium 4-1 at a special called meeting Thursday night. The meeting brought out several critics of the proposal, some of whom claimed that freezing development approvals for 90 days would hurt the city's economy in a time of recession. And that's one of the reasons Councilman Dan Tennant said he voted against the moratorium. "We should be able to 'straighten out' our ordinances without a moratorium," Tennant said. Several speakers, including former mayoral candidate Fred Wellman, argued that the moratorium would adversely affect the location of new businesses. Others criticized the apparent "rush" to get the moratorium in place after Brown announced that developers had been appointed to committees studying the issues. Brown countered that appointing the committees was necessary with only 90 days to get all the work done. He also admitted that the city was "changing the rules" but he added that the rules have changed over the years. "We're trying to get things to work even better in Peachtree City," Brown said. Jim Williams, the city's director of developmental services, said city planning staff would continue to work with developers and provide input on their plans throughout the length of the moratorium. He also said developers could get input from the Planning Commission in workshops. "We'll work with them like we always have," Williams said. Although the meeting had some lighthearted moments with laughter, it also featured strong criticism of Brown. When Brown mentioned that developers would be included on four committees which will be studying the matter, several persons criticized the moratorium as "a done deal." Each council member argued that was not the case. The mood briefly turned confrontational after Brown cited he had the support of several key developers for using overlay zones on the western leg of Ga. Highway 54 and on the northern portion of Ga. Highway 74. Asked to reveal which developers he was referring to, Brown listed Cousins Properties, John Wieland Homes and RAM Development. But Andrea Jones, an attorney representing RAM, clarified that RAM was opposed to the moratorium. "You're listing them on your side and that's false," said Bob Barnard, a Fayetteville developer. Jones, who also represented Pathway Communities at the meeting, said that company stood to lose $2.5 million in contracts due to the moratorium, which she believes is unconstitutional. Wellman said he thought the moratorium gives the message that "this government is willing to stop business in the city." "What it really is is a political statement," Wellman said. "If the ordinance needs to be fixed, fix it." Mike Hofrichter of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce said he felt the city did not have the required "emergency" situation necessary to legally qualify for the use of a moratorium. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin said she didn't think the moratorium would adversely affect any businesses. She said she was also impressed that the moratorium was supported by Williams. "I feel we are not turning away businesses or shutting down businesses," McMenamin said. McMenamin said she wants council to work out issues over the plan to issue temporary certificates of occupancy to businesses until their landscape plans can be approved. Councilman Murray Weed, who suggested some changes to the moratorium's wording, countered that "these are serious concerns and some of our ordinances haven't been changed in decades." Weed added that it was important for the city to stick to the 90-day period with no extensions. Councilman Steve Rapson agreed, saying he would be "hard pressed" to go beyond the 90 days for the moratorium, which includes a provision for the time period to be extended if necessary. Joe Wesley, a developer from Douglas County, said the timing of the moratorium was bad because developers like to get plans approved over the winter months so construction can begin as soon as possible when the weather gets better. Local resident Margie Swart was one of the few speakers at the meeting who supported the moratorium. She said the city needs to enforce ordinances that exist instead of trying to get concessions from developers that are unenforceable. Wayne Roberts of the Wynnmeade Homeowners Association said the moratorium was a good idea simply because of the impact that new development along Ga. Highway 54 West would have on Wynnmeade residents.
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