By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Land owners want to put a mini-warehouse on 5.75 acres next to the Ingle's grocery store on Ga. Highway 92 south at Ga. Highway 85.

But Fayetteville Planning Commission members aren't offering much encouragement, saying they will probably vote against a zoning change to allow the project.

Ted H., Brenda G. and John M. Meeks are asking that the City Council change the property's zoning from C-3 (highway commercial) to M-1 (light industrial). The Planning Commission is expected to make its recommendation concerning the request at its meeting Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The matter would then go to City Council for discussion Dec. 6 and possible action Dec. 20. “There is a strong demand for what we are proposing to do here,” said Ted Meeks during the Planning Commission's work session last week.

The family has done market research in the area, said Meeks, adding that numerous residents of the area have said they need a place to park trucks, recreational vehicles and boats because covenants in most area neighborhood don't allow parking them at home.

The property is not well suited for a retail business, Meeks said.

But the city's land use plan, adopted in its revised form last year, calls for retail business at the busy intersection, not light industrial, said commission members and city planning staff members.

“I would not be in favor of this myself,” said commissioner Myron Coxe. “The land use plan calls for C-3, and I'm not inclined to go against that,” added commissioner Kevin Bittinger.

Meeks argued that until recently, the C-3 zoning category allowed mini-warehouses, so he believes his project is compatible with the area. Commissioner Segis “Al” Lipscomb replied, “We clearly define what we want in each zoning, and what you're requesting we want in M-1.”

“This is what we see as really the highest and best use for our land,” said Meeks. An alternative would have been “big box” commercial development similar to the stores in Fayette Pavilion, he said, but the city recently changed the rules so that big boxes aren't allowed on his land.

“What we're looking for now is an alternative use for our land,” he said.