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Target plan violates
big box rule
These days, my community is
facing the possibility of being impacted negatively by the proposed development
of the Kedron Village Shopping Center. We have deep worries about our
security, safety, traffic and above all the management of this situation
by our city officials.
I live in Sutton’s Cove, which is one of five subdivisions that connect
to Regents Park and then into Georgian Park. You should be aware that
this is the only way in and out for more than 500 families living in this
Kedron community. The proposed project with a main entrance connecting
to Georgian Park at Regents Park will create more traffic issues on a
crossing that is dangerous by itself when you consider the characteristics
of the uphill terrain and the long curve that Georgian Park presents at
that point.
Today, we have several problems associated with poor visibility and traffic.
Imagine what will happen when a main access to a shopping center serving
the region is connected to this crossing. The residents are aware about
the dangers at this portion of the street and take special care about
the presence of children, golf carts, people walking pets, and joggers
which is part of what makes Peachtree City special. Will others be considerate
with these situations?
As you have already witnessed, our community supports the adequate development
of the area. Suggestions are being made, several changes proposed in the
spirit of allowing the necessary growth and improvement of services around
our city. We are also aware of the existence of a proposed development
plan for this site approved in 1995, which is a sensible project that
will provide for growth and more services on the area without detrimentally
impacting our community.
We need to emphasize that in the year 2000, our city officials approved
the famous big box ordinance to avoid mega-projects that may bring undesirable
situations to our city. It is contradictory to this ordinance the changes
made on July 2003 to the original plan which must be taken as a new project
considering the extension of the changes. Again, what is being considered
clearly violates the Big Box ordinance of 2000.
I have been a resident of Peachtree City for the last four-plus years.
Several reasons made me choose this community as my place to raise my
four children. Safety, community life, healthy environment, excellent
education standards, adequate services and low crime rate are some of
those factors. If we allow the approval and establishment of such a project,
some of this will be lost affecting what we value most in Peachtree City:
Quality of life, mainly on the northern neighborhoods.
Our children and our community deserve peace and tranquility. We don’t
need a main access to a regional commercial establishment off Georgian
Park. We ask for a total review of this plan under the provisions and
spirit of the big box ordinance of year 2000.
Dr. Jose R. Perez-Irizarry
Peachtree City, Ga.
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