By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

The developers of a proposed Home Depot in west Peachtree City are set to appeal to the City Council tomorrow night after having their site plan denied by the Planning Commission last month.

City staff has recommended that the appeal be granted, noting that RAM Development has made several revisions to its site plan in response to comments from the Planning Commission, staff and local residents.

“The land use plan calls for the area to be commercial,” according to a city staff memo. “It has long been anticipated that the very high intensity commercial uses, like those proposed for the property, would be appropriate for this area. The conditions of the traffic impact ordinance have been met, and the proposed conceptual site plan properly situates the use on the property.”

The site of the proposed development, on Ga. Highway 54 west of Ga. Highway 74, has been the subject of intense debate for the past several months concerning its effect on traffic in the area.

Attorneys for RAM Development have put the city on notice that they consider the denial unconstitutional and reserve the right to pursue the matter in court if necessary.

A portion of the controversy stems from the city's new traffic impact ordinance, which restricts development in Peachtree City depending upon how it affects traffic and possible measures that must be taken by developers to correct traffic problems.

RAM Development says that the ordinance does not apply to its proposal because the plan was submitted before the ordinance was approved by the City Council.

The Planterra Ridge Community Association also has retained an attorney who maintains the project would be “profoundly detrimental to the public health, safety, morality and general welfare” if it were approved. The main entrance to the project is proposed to be directly across the highway from the entrance to Planterra Ridge subdivision, and Planterra Ridge residents have been the most vocal in their opposition to the project.

In other business:

A change in the alcoholic beverage license for Mexico City Gourmet will be considered by the council.

Nine applicants for a vacancy on the Airport Authority have been considered, and the selection committee recommends Mark Bunker's appointment and Jerry Cobb's selection as an alternate for five-year terms beginning Jan. 1. The council will consider this and vote on it tomorrow night.