A Masonic Lodge for the Whitlock Place commercial subdivision has been approved by the Peachtree City Council, but a zoning text amendment to allow private clubs was not extended beyond that use.

Because the office-institutional zoning category of Whitlock Place did not provide for clubs or lodges, city planning staff had recommended a text amendment to add "private or semi-private club, lodge or social center" to the uses allowed in OI. After a public hearing last week on the recommendation, City Council limited the amendment to "Masonic lodge," and asked city attorneys to investigate any further wording.

Council member Jim Pace said he felt the proposed wording could be "broadly interpreted" to include some kinds of "social clubs" which the city would not want to allow.

Developmental Services director Jim Williams described the Whitlock Place site as "ideal" for the Masons, and property owner Ralph McCurdy said the project is ready for construction. A medical office also is planned for the subdivision, McCurdy said.

Council also restored a moratorium on multifamily rezoning to a Bridgepark commercial site. The specific site of a proposed assisted living facility at that location had been removed from the moratorium for consideration, but developers decided not to go ahead with the project. Bill Wheelock told the council that he was "certainly in favor of putting it (the moratorium) back for this property, since I was one of the people who supported the moratorium."

More steps were taken in the process of annexing and rezoning several parcels of land at the city's border with Tyrone. City Attorney Rick Lindsey explained that once Tyrone completes the process of de-annexing the properties, the Georgia General Assembly becomes involved through local legislation. Peachtree City's action last week was a "resolution" to commit to annexing the tracts once the legal procedure is met, Lindsey said.

VARIANCE

A controversial request by Photocircuits Corp. for variances at its 320 Dividend Drive property was tabled until the April 15 City Council meeting. A "mediation committee" of city officials, Planterra Ridge residents and representatives of Photocircuits has been formed to try to resolve residents' issues with any possible expansion of the printed circuit-board manufacturer.

Mayor Robert Lenox explained that no discussion should have been allowed on a motion to table the item, but council member Annie McMenamin felt she had to explain that she is "not backing away from the issues."