Friday, August 30, 2002
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Friday, August 30, 2002 |
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Plan in place for 12 commercial buildings along north side of Hwy. 54 West By JOHN
MUNFORD
A schematic plan is now in place for commercial development on the northern side of Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City. Unveiled at the Planning Commission meeting Monday night, the plan includes 12 free standing buildings, the largest of which is 29,000 sq. ft. for a potential grocery store that would be anchored along the railroad tracks to the southeast of Home Depot. Grading for the area could start in 30 days or less, according to Doug McMurrain of RAM Development, which owns most of the parcels along the northern side of Hwy. 54 in the corridor. "We have tenants that are ready, willing and able to go," McMurrain said, adding that RAM will conduct a traffic study in accordance with the city's traffic ordinance. "It appears to be moving smoothly, and we hope it continues to do so." The commission unanimously voted 4-0 to endorse the schematic plan, with commissioner Robert Buckley absent. The entire plan, which also includes a possible bank and gas station along with five retail stores and three restaurants, calls for a total of 116,400 square feet and 715 parking spaces. Although the area could have as many as 12 to 15 curb cuts, the current plan utilizes only four, thanks to the use of a secondary access road, said City Planner David Rast. That access road would link up with MacDuff Parkway, going behind the planned commercial units and linking up with the eastern access point to Hwy. 54 at the traffic light near the entrance to the Planterra Ridge subdivision. The plan contains a series of courtyards that will be located between the buildings with landscaping features such as sculptures and fountains, Rast said. A sidewalk system will connect to the planned bridge over Hwy. 54 West for the city's cart path system. Though the plan was developed with the help of an advisory board and overlay committee, there was also praise for RAM Development, which worked with both entities to help create the plan. "I want to commend the developer for the time and effort he has put in to work with the city," said citizen Phyllis Augayo. "... I'm very pleased with the plan." "I think it's turning out very well," said Jerry Peterson of Pathway Communities. "As a concept plan I think it's very good and I recommend it."
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