By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writerr

One of the more contentious land issues in recent years in Peachtree City may be slowly moving toward a relatively positive conclusion.

The Peachtree City Planning Commission Monday night approved rezoning of a 31.75-acre tract at the end of Carriage Lane, owned by Mike Hyde and Katherine Palmer. The property has been the subject of several years of litigation and controversy, beginning when Hyde was a member of the Planning Commission before being removed by the City Council.

Hyde was not present Monday night for the hearing, which was tabled at the June 14 meeting. He proposed changing the zoning category of the land from Estate Residential to Limited Use Residential for 12 single-family detached lots.

City staff recommended that the 12th lot, which was only one acre, be dissolved into two of the other lots, all of which are 2.48 acres or larger. It was also recommended that the subdivision be tied into the city path system before any homes are occupied.

Hyde proposed changing the name of Carriage Lane to Hyde Lake Court at the development's entrance, but the city recommended against it.

As for the overall plan, “It may not be the best way the land could be used, but it may be the best we can find so far,” said city development director Jim Williams.

One resident speaking out against the plan said that he suspected it was being approved mainly to get Hyde to drop his lawsuit. He suggested that Hyde should show the city some good faith and drop the lawsuit first, then submit a plan.

Other concerns were aired by local residents on adjoining properties, such as traffic.

The plan is scheduled to go before the City Council July 15. The Planning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of the request, with Wes Saunders voting against and Jim Finney absent.