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Planners OK Best Buy

By Michael J. Thompson
mthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The proposed Best Buy store on Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City passed one major hurdle Monday night, as the conceptual site plan was approved 4-1 by the Planning Commission.

But with the passing of one hurdle looms the prospect of numerous others, several commissioners warned. The approval of the plan came with nine conditions, along with two added by the commission at the meeting, which include reducing the overall size of the Best Buy “ticket” sign and a stipulation to ensure proper landscaping around the future building.

Commission Chairman Dennis Payton was adamant about decreasing the size of the Best Buy sign, which he likened to more of a billboard.

“Peachtree City has an identity and this just isn’t it, because when I’m driving and I come up this hill (on Hwy. 54) and see this big sign for Best Buy, I’m not going to like it ... citizens of Peachtree City won’t either ... if people see this sign while they drive, they’ll think they’re in Anytown, USA,” he said.

The commission had tabled voting on this issue at previous meetings, because of the aesthetically unpleasing nature of the sign and the blue “wedge” that surrounds the building’s entrance.

Doug McMurrain, a representative for RAM Development, which owns the property that was formerly the location of Line Creek Baptist Church, said that the building met the city’s architectural guidelines and that he would work with the commission to do whatever it took to ensure that the sign would not be visible to motorists on Ga. Highway 54. McMurrain said that he would pledge to do everything he could to shorten the sign.

“Other issues regarding landscaping will only help enhance the cemetery and the surrounding site,” he said.

Commission member Marty Mullin, who cast the lone vote of dissent, stressed that the proposed truck well at the Best Buy store would be visible by patrons, as would the trash compactor. Mullin worried this would be a precedent-setting move for Peachtree City, with the parking lot built so both are visible.

The Best Buy store will be just under 30,000 square feet. It will be adjacent to the recently completed Porter Paints building, and two multi-tenant retail buildings. The overall site encompasses approximately 10.10 acres and plans are in the works to renovate the existing Line Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Plans are for the store to be open by November of this year.

The area used to be owned by Line Creek Baptist Church, which relocated to Coweta County after RAM purchased the parcel.