Comprehensive plan provides a roadmap

By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Fayetteville's population is expected to peak at 23,954 by 2013, more than doubling the estimated 1998 population figure of 9,679.

That's assuming the city annexes enough residential property to use up its sewer capacity.

According to the city's newly drafted comprehensive plan, it will take six years at the current rate of 150 homes a year for builders to use up the 1,304 subdivision lots already platted. Vacant land within the city can hold an additional 1,201 lots.

The plan, which includes goals for population, housing and land use, will provide a road map for future development if approved by the City Council following a series of meetings.

Officials periodically update the plan,which was written in the late 1980s.

Residents who attended last week's introductory hearing didn't have any complaints with the overall goals of the plan, but questioned specific proposed uses for various parcels both in the city and outside it.

King McElwaney III said the proposed designation of low density residential for his 110 acres next to Fayette County High School on Ga. Highway 54 is unreasonable. "We're just asking for the time to talk before this thing gets finalized," said Bob Rolader, a developer representing McElwaney.

McElwaney said his family has owned the property, once rolling farm land, for 100 years. But the land is in the heart of the city, and it's not reasonable to suggest that two- or three-acre lots would be the best use so close in, he said.

City staff people promised to sit down with Rolader and go talk about the parcel. "We're just looking for something reasonable," said McElwaney.

Bob Adams had asked that the city exempt from a current zoning moratorium land he wants to develop along Redwine Road behind the new Kroger shopping center under construction on Ga. Highway 85. He attended last week to suggest that low-density residential also is not appropriate for that parcel, since it is right next to a shopping center.

Land across Redwine is low density. The parcel he wants to buy should be low-density single family residential, he said. He wants to build about five homes per acre on the 20-acre tract, developing a senior-oriented subdivision of small lots with easy access to shopping and restaurants.

Donna and Emory Pierpoint wanted to know whether the city plans to annex the area they live in, formerly known as the Signa property. The section was the subject of fierce controversy years ago when the city annexed it and zoned it for a 1,200-acre complex of homes. The land use portion of the proposed comprehensive plan does not include annexing the area, though.

The plan does show large areas targeted for annexation, all of it designated low-density residential in the land use plan. Central to the plan is the concept of developing higher density in the city's core and lower density farther out. Future subdivisions on the city's outskirts would have one- to three-acre lots as a step down from the two- to five-acre lots in unincorporated areas next to the city.

Officials say they want to maintain the small town atmosphere in Fayetteville, and a frequently repeated goal is to make sure growth doesn't get ahead of the city's ability to serve new residents with roads, sewer, water and other infrastructure.

Lane Brown, a local Realtor and member of the city's Main Street committee, noted that the comprehensive plan doesn't address transportation.

Mayor Mike Wheat said the city does have a long-range transportation plan, but pointed out that there is currently no funding available for transportation projects. "At this point there's no hope of any funding," he said, adding that growth may have to be slowed if that doesn't change soon.

Brown said the city should still update its plans for roads.

Last week's public hearing will be repeated today at 7 p.m. Jahnee Prince, chief planner, said interested parties should be prepared to put their comments in writing so they can be considered in the final draft of the plan.

Comment forms and maps that residents can use to pinpoint particular areas of concern will be available.

The city Planning Commission will have formal hearings Tuesdays, Sept. 8 and 22, and City Council Sept. 30 and Oct. 5