Fayetteville: Law on books to address subdivision up for annexation

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Concerns that Fayetteville doesn’t have an ordinance on its books to address a proposed subdivision proposed for annexation are unfounded, according to city officials.

The city has an ordinance for Planned Unit Developments, which allows flexibility for subdivision design to save more greenspace on a given tract of land without increasing the density the land would normally be allowed, said Fayetteville City Manager Joe Morton.

In fact, several subdivisions have already been built using the PUD designation, including Apple Orchard, Beaverbrook and The Legends at Redwine, Morton said.

The perceived lack of a city ordinance to address such subdivisions was the main reason the Fayette County Commission voted last week to object to the annexation. Several commissioners said they opposed the annexation specifically because they thought the city didn’t have the appropriate ordinances on the books.

The proposed Bellmeade subdivision would include 94 homes on a 108-acre tract off Redwine Road that is bordered by Hawn and Old Senoia roads. The plan includes some greenspace and an eight-acre park with a walking trail and exercise stations that would be fully completed by developer Bob Rolader and then turned over to the city.

The park would be located across Redwine Road from the county’s Kiwanis recreation complex, which would provide parking for residents wishing to use the new park, Rolader said.

Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham noted that the proposed subdivision “has not demonstrated a need for sewer service.”

Commissioner Linda Wells said the county stood to lose $84,000 initially and $21,000 a year in revenue if the annexation is approved even though the county would provide water, fire and EMS service to the property.

Rolader is blending four separate tracts to create the proposed subdivision. The plan also includes two larger lots: one for an existing home and one for a home that would be built so family members of one of the property owner can live next door to each other, Rolader said.