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Are Target developers
above the law in PTC?
I am astonished with the situation
regarding the big box retail power center targeted for Kedron Shopping
Center and the series of events that have led to its seemingly insinuated
approval.
A beautiful forest and a meandering cart path currently occupy the land,
yet we the citizens of Peachtree City are being treated like the building
and parking lots are already there. We are being treated as if Peachtree
City has no ordinances regarding development. We are being treated as
if Faison, the developer, has been given full approval to build anything
they could conjure up.
I am speaking about the “proposed conceptual site plan” for
the development of Kedron Shopping Center Phase II and III presented by
Faison and supported by Peachtree City’s development department.
Over the last several weeks the citizens of Peachtree City have found
and presented not only the laws and ordinances that this plan violates
but have also found and shared the many supporting documents that detail
the creation of these ordinances. These supporting documents include clear
descriptions and advice as to what can and cannot be built. The proposed
269,000 square foot regional retail power center with nearly 1,100 parking
places is clearly not allowed in Peachtree City. The city so far has refused
to respond to the facts presented to them.
Battles between developers and concerned citizens are not uncommon, and
based on the scope of this development, conflict was all but certain.
What baffles me each day is that the burden of proof falls on the shoulders
of the citizens as to why the development cannot proceed. It seems the
developer is proceeding without any requirement to demonstrate why they
can.
How is it that the developer has no burden of proof to verify that they
can build the largest retail development in Peachtree City more than three
years after this type of development was outlawed?
The citizens do not want to change the law; we want it enforced. The developer
wants to ignore the law, and it appears that they are being allowed to
do just that.
If a small group of concerned citizens did not attend a planning commission
meeting held in early August, Faison would have received permission to
violate our city’s ordinances. If citizens were not vigilant, the
building ordinances in this city wouldn’t be enforced.
If the law is not enforced now the precedent of this shopping center will
have an impact on every future development and an undesirable daily impact
on the lives of every citizen in Peachtree City.
What is the solution? The proposed conceptual site plan must be disapproved.
The site must be developed in accordance with Peachtree City ordinances.
Unless, of course, Faison can prove otherwise!
Brad Jubin
Peachtree City, Ga.
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