Friday, May 13, 2005

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Best Buy decision delayed

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

One of the proposed entrances to a retail development anchored by a Best Buy off Ga. Highway 54 west in Peachtree City has been eliminated on the latest version of plans for the retail center.

The store would be immediately adjacent to the Line Creek Baptist Church cemetery, and access to the shopping center would be from the signalized intersection of Hwy. 54 and Huddleston Road. But RAM Development removed a right-in, right-out intersection a little farther to the west after getting feedback from the Peachtree City Planning Commission several weeks ago.

Instead, that part of the site will be developed into a gazebo or courtyard area that could be used by patrons of restaurants planned for the area.

The church relocated to Coweta County after RAM purchased the parcel, which will also feature another store on the western side of the cemetery.

These details were learned by the Peachtree City Planning Commission Monday night. No vote could be taken on the concept plan since problems with city computers left staff unable to finalize their recommendation for the plan. The concept plan will likely be taken up at the commission’s May 23 meeting.

The latest changes also include a specialized retaining wall that has room for planting landscaping at its top. Commissioners applauded that change, and the additional planting islands that will be located at the store’s southern and eastern borders to soften the building’s facade.

Another change to the plan involved the location of the far eastern leg of the proposed golf cart path, which will link up with the cloverleaf cart path bridge that will allow travel to the southern and eastern quadrants of Hwy. 54. That will give access to the Marketplace and The Avenue shopping centers in addition to the rest of Peachtree City.

The proposed cart path location near the cloverleaf bridge was moved further north to give more room for autos to stack while waiting at the traffic light. The entrance to the shopping center will be crossed at-grade, so it will have special attention from city staff before the concept plan is finalized.