A controversial plan for a convenience store across from Fayette's most photographed landmark, Starr's Mill, is back on county planners' plate.

And Barbara Short, who was in the front lines of opposition to the proposal the last time it came before the county Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, says she believes the rezoning petition is deliberately timed to take advantage of two lame duck commissioners. "It is not coincidental that this thing is coming up now," said Short, who lives near Starr's Mill.

Owner Brent Scarbrough's rezoning request will go before the Planning Commission tomorrow at 7 p.m. and, unless it is tabled, will be heard by the Board of Commissioners Dec. 10, less than a month before commissioners Robert Sprayberry and Scott Burrell retire from the board.

Scarbrough is requesting a change from A-R (agricultural-residential) zoning to L-C (limited commercial) for 2.5 acres at the corner of Ga. Highway 85 and the 85 Connector, with plans to develop a "country store."

Short said she hopes neighborhood opposition will reach the same level it did three years ago, when a similar plan was rejected by county commissioners after scores of residents showed up to protest. But she fears activists may be discouraged by recent county decisions to allow developments along Ga. Highway 74 that received similar opposition.

"A lot of people have come to the conclusion that whatever comes up before January is going to be approved," she said.

Some neighborhood activists accuse Sprayberry and Burrell of being overly pro-developer on zoning decisions, but the two commissioners say they have always decided zoning issues based upon the merits of each proposal.

Neighbors are opposed to the convenience store, said Short, because the store would be an intrusion in an otherwise residential area, and because of its proximity to a historic landmark. "This is one of the last treasures in Fayette County," she said of Starr's Mill.

Neighbors also fear development of one store will spark other commercial development in the area and ruin its rural/residential character, she said.

But Robert Rolader, Scarbrough's agent, said the petitioner is asking for limited commercial zoning precisely because that zoning is intended to prevent spreading commercial activity.

"The point is to allow a nodal commercial facility to serve an outlying area, and it has strict architectural controls. It doesn't lend itself to a spreading" of the commercial growth, said Rolader.

The architecture of the store will be designed to blend with the surrounding neighborhood, he said, adding that plans include erecting a historical plaque in the store parking area so drivers can read about the landmark without parking on the roadway.

"Our real goal is a small community store that would serve just that area," he said. "It would be locally owned and locally run."

Short said she doubts the claim that the store will stand alone. Commercial development on the corner would have a "domino effect" in the area, she warned. "It's not going to end there. It's not going to be one little store on the corner and then that's it," she said.

"I'm not against anybody making a buck," said Short, "but there are priorities."

She spoke to one commissioner who argued that the property in question was used for a store years ago, but residents reject that argument, she said, because that was before there was zoning. "To base a zoning on something that could have been there back when you didn't even have to be zoned is ridiculous," she said.

Commissioners also asked her what kind of development the property would support, since it is unlikely to be developed as a home lot, said Short.

But its owners bought the property in speculation, she said, so they should find a proper use for it.

"I don't think it's the neighborhood's job to find a use for something that was bought for speculation," she said, adding, "There are plenty of things that would be better than a convenience store."

Rolader said a small community store would give local residents a place to buy gasoline and food items without having to drive to Senoia.

"If you have to go to Senoia to get gas or milk, you're taking your dollars out of the county," he said.