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Sharpsburg proposal has big reach

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizen.com

A proposed new development in Sharpsburg could have a far-reaching impact across the south metro area. Pathway Communities, the development company that planned Peachtree City, announced this week that its next big project will be in Sharpsburg.

McRae Communications’ Phil Corley announced Tuesday that Pathway has a contract to purchase 489 acres in the Sharpsburg area. Upon completion, the new development will more than double the town’s geographic area and more than quadruple its population.

The development ties into McIntosh Trail in now-rural Coweta County, which leads directly into southwestern Peachtree City less than four miles east via a proposed TDK Boulevard extension.

On Wednesday, more plans of the unnamed development were released.

Corley said Pathway plans to build a residential and commercial community with approximately 760 single-family homes and 80 townhomes, along with 100 units for assisted living. He said homes will range in style from turn-of-the-century to traditional and priced from the high $100s to over $300,000.

Other features of the development include a 22-acre commercial center. By comparison, The Avenue in Peachtree City sits on 18 acres. The commercial area will front on Ga. Highway 54 and may feature a grocery store, drug store, day care center and restaurant to serve the Sharpsburg area.

The development includes more than 15,000 feet of multiuse paths for residents to use to get to the commercial area and the various pocket parks and amenities scattered throughout the property.

The property is located along McIntosh Trail, Reese Road and Hwy. 54 and is within walking distance to Old Town Sharpsburg. It would also offer easy access to Peachtree City when TDK Boulevard is completed. TDK would enter Sharpsburg at McIntosh Trail.

Corley said the land currently lies in unincorporated Coweta County, but said the company will petition for an annexation into Sharpsburg. The property would also have to be rezoned to the town’s Planned Community District.

Sharpsburg Town Administrator Robin Spradlin said the development would dramatically change the size of the town. Currently, the town’s land size is 344 acres, with 320 residents.

Corley said Pathway is currently working on a name and logo for the development to reflect the small-town charm and historic character of Sharpsburg.

If approved, Spradlin said the development would have septic service provided by a Pathway-built wastewater treatment plant. She said the plant would be large enough to service the proposed development, along with the town’s current needs and “future development.”

Sharpsburg currently buys its water from the town of Turin, but Spradlin said Sharpsburg is currently in negotiations to take charge of its water destiny.

“We’re having engineers and planners to look at the situation and determine what’s best for our taxpayers,” she said.

Corley said land development will begin after the closing of the land transaction, but could not speculate when that would occur. He said home sales are scheduled to begin in 2007, with build-out of the community taking up to six years.

In the press releases announcing the development, Corley said 25 percent of the community will be dedicated open space and green belts and will be designed to preserve the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Proposed amenities include multi-use trails and sidewalks, a neighborhood pond, a community clubhouse reflecting the architecture of historic Sharpsburg, a swim and tennis complex and a variety of neighborhood parks.

Spradlin said she had filed a request to annex the property with Coweta County last week, but said no dates have been set for the rezoning hearings in Sharpsburg.

Pathway is the former Peachtree City Development Corp., which planned and oversaw the development of most of Peachtree City’s 15,000 acres.