Peachtree City planners are concerned about up-front consideration for rights-of-way for widening Ga. Highway 74, but one property-owner on the highway doesn't think he should alter his expansion plans just yet.

John Tiernan of Tiernan and Patrylo said he did not agree with a condition attached to approval of his conceptual site plan. Tiernan's proposal includes expansions to property which includes the old Formtec building between Hwy. 74 and Dividend Drive southeast of Falcon Drive. Plans call for 6,800 square feet of office space, 24 new parking spaces, a storage building and outdoor storage yard, a construction shop expansion and new access from Dividend Drive.

Jim Williams, city director of development services, said the Tiernan and Patrylo site plan had been presented to the Georgia Department of Transportation for input as to how the widening project might impact the property. He said the city was told that the new right-of-way will be about 70 feet from the existing right-of-way, and "this new right-of-way will be located within the existing parking area in front of the main building."

Tiernan stated repeatedly that he did not agree with changing his site plan to accommodate a highway widening that "might" happen. He said he "would feel differently tomorrow, if they come to me with money in hand for that right-of-way."

Williams told the commission that pre-planning for the new right-of-way could prevent creation of a "nonconforming" parking lot in the right-of-way. If the site plan is not changed before the lot is built, Williams said, taxpayers will have to foot the bill for moving the parking lot as part of Tiernan's compensation.

"I think I have the freedom to develop this property as I want, without regard to the future plans of the Department of Transportation," Tiernan said. "I don't see why I should lose money by not having the use of that much of my land. They're always in my pocket."