Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Sun City Sandy Creek unveiledBy JOHN THOMPSON The rich farmland and pastures that have served as a buffer for years between Fayetteville and Peachtree City could soon be the home of the countys first retirement community. Del Webb, a division of Pulte Homes, is taking the initial step this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Fayette County Administrative Complex in its plan to build one of its signature Sun City developments, just north of Piedmont Fayette Hospital, just west of the Fayetteville city limits. The first step in the lengthy process has the Fayette County Commission considering a proposed new text amendment creating a mixed-use development category called a Planned Age Qualified Community. More than 1,200 acres has been assembled by the company along Sandy Creek Road to build just over 3,000 homes, an 18-hole golf course, along with a 25,000 square-foot amenities clubhouse for seniors 55 and over. Weve been looking at the southside of Atlanta for more than a year and Fayette County is a perfect fit, said Todd Terwilliger, vice president of land acquisition for Pulte Homes Georgia division. The development would feature homes from 1,100 to 3,000 square feet. Terwilliger added the homes would be tailored to the active senior lifestyle. The intent of a Planned Age Qualified Community (PAQ) is to provide adequate housing options as households decrease in size and increase in age. One means to accomplish this is through development of mixed use active adult communities, which are age qualified in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, the company says. These communities are distinguished by a highly amenitized life-style component, such as a large community clubhouse/amenity center (exceeding 20,000 square feet) with organized activities, golf course, large open space and walking trails, etc., the company says. But if the Commission turns down the new classification, Pulte is asking the board to consider their proposal as a concurrent submittal for zoning to the PRD district as a privately-sewered subdivision with 3.4 units per net acre. The PRD is one of the Planned Unit Developments currently allowed in the Fayette County Zoning Ordinance. With density running so high, sewer would be the only option for treating the wastewater. In its zoning application, Del Webb offers several sewer options. These options, according to the zoning application, in order of preference include: Construction of a central privately owned and operated community treatment facility with onsite reuse water distribution system as land application to the golf course. Construction of four large community subsurface systems under general LAS permit no. GAG278000 of the Georgia EPD, approved February, 2005, with return water to the golf course. Participation in a Fayette County system for the Sandy Creek basin. Tie in to the city of Fayettevilles municipal sewer system, if the county and city agreed for the city to serve the community. The application suggests this could be by way of a homeowners association-supported sewer improvement district with collection at a common point at Sandy Creek Road by pump station and force main to gravity lines of the city of Fayetteville. Or Del Webb could participate with proportionate share costs of sewer line extensions in the Whitewater Creek/Sandy Creek basins. The zoning application makes it clear where the companys preference is in developing the property. At this point, Del Webb would prefer to zone and develop the property in unincorporated Fayette County. The sewer service delivery strategy map of the county identifies this as the countys service area, although the county owns no sewer and presently plans none. The countys present lack of experience with sewer should not be the basis of denial of the request. Del Webb will provide sufficient material to satisfy the county of any reasonable concern. If the development is approved, Del Webb officials have pledged to sign a binding agreement with Fayette County for the life of the projects development. |
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