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Planners: No Hwy. 85 S. office park

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

For the second time in a year, the Fayette County Planning Commission has turned thumbs down on a proposed office park on Ga. Highway 85 south of Fayetteville and close to Whitewater High School.

Reese Developers asked the Planning Commission Thursday night to rezone 20 acres on the busy state highway and McBride Road from Agricultural-Residential to Office Institutional.

“We believe this is a really good fit for the area,” said Patrick Henry, who represented the developers.

Henry said the development would consist of 20 lots and have such businesses as an insurance company and bank. The development would have its wastewater treated by a community sewer system, but Henry said the system would be similar to each lot having its own septic system and having those dumped into a larger tank.

But the neighbors had far different opinions.

“It’s not in compliance with the land use plan. We’re talking 50,000 [automobile] trips a day,” said Brenda Evans, who lives on nearby Shamrock Court.

Scott Gilbert, who lives on McBride Road, said McBride is used by kids on their way to school. He also worried about the traffic problems, and said there is also more traffic on the way that Fayette County can’t control.

“Look at the growth in Senoia and south Coweta County that comes up the road every day,” he said.

The Planning Commission agreed with the residents.

“I’m just opposed to O-I with this much density,” said Planning Commissioner Al Gilbert.

The first motion made was to rezone it to R-40, but the motion died. The final motion was to deny the O-I rezoning request, which passed 4-0. Planning Commissioner Tim Thoms sat out the hearing because he had spoken out against the proposal earlier.

The decision now goes to the Fayette County Commission for a final decision July 28.