A portion of the property on the northwest corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Walt Banks Road is one step closer to development, after approval of a proposed rezoning at Monday night's regular meeting of the Peachtree City Planning Commission.

Bob Adams of Bob Adams Homes has put together a plan for 64 cluster homes on about 18.4 acres, with 1.6 acres set aside for a compatible office use. He requested a change from R-43 residential zoning to LUR (limited use residential).

The site is the combination of two adjoining tracts that are part of a larger parcel, about 73 acres, that city officials are working to master-plan. Adams was turned down by the Planning Commission last November when he wanted to put 42 homes on the 10-acre Lallande tract, but he has since acquired an option on the 10-acre Scott property next to it.

Adams was scheduled to appear before the City Council last night for a public hearing on the matter.

During the Planning Commission meeting, he presented a plan for an empty-nester/senior community which he said would have a homeowners' association. A right-in/right-out entrance from Hwy. 54 would be the sole access for the time being.

The plan also provides for a possible link to the remainder of the property on the corner, as various land owners and developers are in ongoing talks with the city concerning a master plan for the site.

According to a report provided by city staff for the Planning Commission, Adams' request for the Lallande and Scott properties is consistent with the concept currently under discussion for the entire site.

City development director Jim Williams said that Adams' plan would be a good one because it would send the overall plan in a definite direction, away from the majority commercial projects the city had rejected for the site in the past.

Along with its recommendation for approval, city staff attached a number of conditions, including specific minimum greenbelt space.

Possible linkage to the Heard property to the south will be reserved for such time as a concept has been agreed upon for the entire corner, Williams said.

Three adjoining residents spoke in favor of the concept, while one resident inquired about possible clear-cutting at the site and expressed her disappointment at another LUR rezoning.

“It's an improvement over past recommendations,” she said. “But I'm still not totally happy.”

Adams responded that his company has eliminated 880 possible apartments in Peachtree City over the past ten years through the use of LUR zoning. He added that the cluster homes will have the same tree yield as would R-43, with sewer instead of septic fields, which could necessitate more cutting.

The board added a condition for tree saving wherever possible. Also, while the future linkage to an adjoining site is a strong possibility, members of the commission expressed their concerns over a 64-home development with only one access.

Chairman Julian Campbell Jr. instructed the board that, for legal purposes, its vote concerned only the Scott property, but if it was approved, a resolution should be drawn reflecting agreement with the overall concept for the Lallande and Scott tracts.

That was also done.

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