The Fayette Citizen-News Page
Friday, April 16, 1999
Church expansion approved, McIntosh field tabled

By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

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A south Peachtree City church has received approval of its revitalized expansion plans.

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, on Holly Grove Road just off Redwine Road, originally submitted a request more than two years ago. That proposal was for a 2,886-sq. ft. classroom building within the church's currently paved parking area on the north side of the existing building, plus 18 new parking spaces on the south side.

The conceptual site plan was approved by the city Planning Commission Aug. 12, 1996. Final site plan approval was given July 23, 1997.

Since that time, the church has not proceeded with any expansion, but has instead re-evaluated its goals with the help of a new pastor who came on board about a year ago. The church has purchased additional acreage on the south side of its property to allow construction in that direction instead. This would let the church maintain the existing views to the church cemetery from Holly Grove Road.

Planning commissioners approved the revised site plan Monday night during their regular meeting. The new plan calls for the same building relocated to the south side of the sanctuary, with the same architecture and building materials as approved before. Eight new parking spaces will be provided and several trees protected next to the area.

In their recommendations to the Planning Commission, city staff members said the church should be commended for its efforts to preserve the "historic" cemetery and its purchase of additional land to secure the expansion.

Approval was recommend with the following conditions:

Coordinating with the city engineer to review the existing detention facility and determine whether improvements will be necessary.

Reviewing the city's proposed improvements to Holly Grove Road in coordination with the city engineer.

Installing tree-save fencing or some other type of barrier to protect the cemetery from construction.

Replacing existing overhead utility lines underground to the greatest extent practical.

Questions were raised in the audience about paving and lighting, as well as the current condition of Holly Grove Road, but there was no opposition to the request. It was approved with the stated conditions.

In other business, the Planning Commission tabled its consideration of a conceptual site plan for an additional practice field at McIntosh High School.

The proposed site is behind and next to the school's lone existing practice field, bordered on three sides by Board of Education property and separated from Eastwind Estates to west by a cart path and greenbelt. The proposal would affect about 2.5 acres of the overall 38-acre tract, which the school system has owned for quite some time.

Staff recommendations for tabling the request suggest that a meeting be conducted with some Eastwind Estates residents to discuss buffering and clear up possible discrepancies about the actual property lines. A survey is also recommended to determine if the cart path is on Board of Education property.

City planner David Rast told the Planning Commission that representatives of the school and some neighbors met Monday morning, and the item could possibly be brought back at the commission's April 26 meeting.

A resident of Wynnmeade subdivision asked to speak to the commission concerning the proposed landscaping and buffer design between Wynnmeade and Line Creek Parkway. Clearing for this road project is now underway.

A resident of 614 Tower Road said the the initial grading has begun and appears to be going far into the power line easement. He asked that the homeowners association be allowed to have active input concerning the buffer plans, and that the work be done reasonably and be consistent with the rest of the city.

Rast said that city staff has not yet received any landscaping or buffering plans for this road, and that the developer will be required to provide a landscape plan to soften the impacts to adjoining properties.


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