Friday, November 22, 2002

Coweta-Fayette EMC gets new home in Palmetto

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Coweta-Fayette EMC is leaving Newnan to set up shop in Palmetto.

The Coweta County Commission gave unanimous approval Tuesday night to rezone 73 acres at the intersection of Weldon Road and Collingsworth Road from Rural Reserve to LM-Light Industrial.

The electric cooperative plans to build its new headquarters at the site and company officials have said construction could start as soon as January.

In the conceptual site plan submitted to the County Commission last week, EMC plans to build a two-story administration building, along with a one-story vehicle storage building and a one story warehouse.

In its recommendation for approving the rezoning, the county's planning department said the business was important to the area's economy and deep buffers would mitigate any adverse aesthetic effect associated with the development.

The planning department also had several conditions which EMC agreed to follow.

Some of the conditions included:

Provide additional right-of-way along Collingsworth Road.

Install a 100-ft. wide buffer where the property adjoins residents.

Provide deceleration lanes at both of the warehouse road entrances on Collingsworth Road and Weldon Road.