A bit of Wales may come to Peachtree City in the form of a small subdivision called "Cardiff Park" on the west side.

Rezoning of 6.79 acres across Planterra Way from the Tennis Center, from general commercial to limited use residential, has cleared the planning commission with a recommendation for approval by City Council.

The site is planned for 28 homes in the $180,000-$190,000 range, with the blessing of the Planterra Ridge Homeowners Association.

Mukut Gupta, president of Crown Development Corp., says he saw the subdivision design in the Welsh city of Cardiff and was "really excited about it." A previous effort by Gupta to develop the property as an assisted living facility was opposed by Planterra Ridge homeowners.

"We listened to our neighbors and came up with another design," Gupta says.

Eighteen of the 28 homes would face a central park area with lighting, landscaping, a gazebo and connections to the city's existing cart path system. Gupta says the subdivision landscaping, especially at the entrance, will "match" what is already in Planterra Ridge. A single "right in, right out" driveway is planned on Planterra Way.

Gupta says the average lot size will be 7700 square feet, with some as large as 10-12,000 square feet. Houses will be 1800-2000 square feet, he added.

The 26-year veteran of Peachtree City business and development says he is delighted with the cooperation from the city and the neighbors and plans to build a quality development. He wasn't discouraged, he says, by having had to design the property twice, because "it's just part of doing business."

Planning commission members Gerri Holt and Willis Granger voted against the development because of its density, but staff planners had recommended approval.

NEW SHOPPING CENTER

A new shopping area called The Avenue at Peachtree City has received conceptual site plan approval for the "City Circle" area, south of Ga. Highway 54 and west of Ga. Highway 74 behind Eckerd's and SunTrust Bank.

The development is proposed by Cousins MarketCenters Inc. and Fickling and Company, and was given planning commission approval in two "options," one designed with several outparcels for restaurants and a circular parking pattern. The other option would contain a large "anchor tenant" like a department store and "mall parking." The city staff recommended that if the second option becomes the final plan, the developers would need to coordinate with staff on the parking lot design and landscaping.

The commercial and retail center would comprise about 145,000 square feet of store space and parking for more than 500 cars.

OTHER APPROVALS

The commission also approved a revised site plan for Tiernan and Patrylo, Inc. at Hwy. 74 and Dividend Drive. The city staff and John Tiernan reached agreement on a parking modification which would pose little interference for additional right-of-way for the eventual widening of Hwy. 74.