The Peachtree City Planning Commission learned Monday that the office supply chain "Staples" has been signed as anchor tenant for MarketPlace on the northwest corner of Ga. Highways 54 and 74 near Pikes Nursery, and that Universal Refining Co. will likely locate at the former Georgia-Pacific property in the industrial park.

City planner David Rast told the commission that the next meeting, set for March 8 at 7 p.m., will have a full agenda "bring your sleeping bags," Rast joked. There are six public hearings scheduled as required by law for annexations, rezonings and amendments to the zoning ordinance, he said.

Four of the hearings involve properties on the city's north side that seek to become part of Peachtree City because of a unique configuration. The homes, or part of the acreage, are in Tyrone but can be accessed only through Peachtree City, in the Greenwood Hills area. Other hearings are for rezoning a Bridge Park tract for an assisted living home, and for amending the "Office-Industrial" classification to allow a private club at Whitlock Place.

Also set for the next agenda are grading plans for outparcels along Line Creek Parkway, Rast said, and discussion of an appropriate site for an outdoor play equipment company, Rainbow Systems of Georgia.

The commission set a special workshop meeting for Monday March 1 to discuss the city's new housing codes dealing with older buildings and houses.

The commission approved conceptual site plans for a NAPA Auto Parts Store on Petrol Point; Sherwin Williams Paint Store on Hwy. 74 north; parking expansion at Photocircuits Inc. on Dividend Drive; and Gilbert Southern Co., a subsidiary of Kiewit Construction, corporate headquarters and maintenance shop also on Dividend.

ANNUAL REPORT

An outline report of planning activities for 1998 was received by the board with favorable comments for staff work. Commissioner Willis Granger asked whether the report reflected a "change in density" of residential development, and Rast replied that the trend seems to be for smaller home lots.

"I guess we're seeing less residential demand, and denser development, and an increase in commercial, industrial and retail," said commissioner Wes Saunders. But the figures sometimes do not indicate an overall picture, Rast said, since in 1997 the commission approved 500 lots on 498 acres, but in 1998 approved 171 lots on 542 acres. The 1997 approvals included Cedarcroft, not yet built, Rast added.