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Density opposed in zoning request for north PTC

Developer wants to change proposal

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizen.com

A proposed rezoning is heading back to the drawing board after the Peachtree City Council expressed opposition to the density of the project.

Developer Chadwick Homes was seeking a Limited Use Residential zoning for an 8.45-acre tract bordering the Ardenlee subdivision in north Peachtree City. The property is currently zoned agriculture-residential, and the city’s future land use map has the site earmarked for single-family cluster homes, said City Planner David Rast.

A total of 32 lots were proposed for the property. But that was too much for several council members, who said the density was far too high.

The proposed density is similar to that seen in Ardenlee, which was zoned GR-4, allowing up to four units per acre. The rezoning proposal was recommended by city staff and the city’s planning commission.

The subdivision’s only entrance would be off Old Senoia Road.

The benefit of the limited use residential zoning includes a larger buffer around the property’s border, Rast said. The developer has also agreed to build a cart path to link the subdivision with Ardenlee, and to build a tot lot playground on a vacant lot in Ardenlee.

Council briefly explored the idea of making the cart path connection a street connection to provide another exit in case of emergency, but that was nixed after it was learned that Ardenlee homeowners opposed construction of a street connection.

Council ultimately tabled the rezoning request so the developer could take the density concerns and tweak the proposal accordingly.

In other business, council approved a new ordinance that puts a six-month cooling-off period on failed annexation proposals. If council fails to approve an annexation request for a given property, the city would not consider a different request for the same property for six months subsequent to the denial being issued.

Council also extended its moratorium on “big box” stores larger than 32,000 square feet, while staff puts the finishing touches on a revised ordinance on the matter.

Also approved were new landscape plan requirements which require tree surveys to be performed on all developments in an effort to make sure significant vegetation is preserved on developed lots.

Developers are now required to replace any significant piece of vegetation that dies or is torn out, according to the new ordinance.

Council also appointed David J. Studdard to act as solicitor pro hac; he will fill in for the city’s full-time municipal court prosecutor when the staffer is unavailable due to illness or vacation. Studdard’s rate is $65 per hour.