The Peachtree City Planning Commission now knows more about two large subdivisions that are proposed as part of a 869-acre development, most of which must be annexed into the city limits — by John Wieland Homes and Levitt and Sons.

Kathryn Zickert, an attorney representing Levitt and Sons, told the commission during a Monday night workshop that the company has added a second entrance to its Seasons at Peachtree City subdivision off the MacDuff Parkway extension. She said the company also has reconfigured its layout to eliminate more cul-de-sacs. Both changes were previously requested by members of the City Council.

Planning Commissioner Marty Mullin said he’d like to see more variety in the types of homes offered, however. He suggested using some features like alleys to avoid the use of driveways off the road system.

“I’m really concerned because you have a lot of the sameness here,” Mullin said, adding that he didn’t think that problem was a deal breaker.

“We just like the variety,” said Planning Commission Chairman Dennis Payton.

Mullin also questioned why the commercial element of Wieland’s plan was separated from residential neighborhoods by a greenspace. Mullin said he would prefer it be closer to the homes “so I can walk to the store.” Wieland Vice President Dan Fields said the location was chosen because the stores were meant to also serve residents of the Levitt development. The stores will be accessible from the proposed cart path system, Fields added.

Mullin added that Wieland’s plan was “great” but said he didn’t like having the four proposed multi-purpose sports fields clustered together.

“That means you have to get in your car and drive,” Mullin said.

Still, Mullin said, Wieland’s plan is far better than he expected when the process began some years ago.

Fields said the company wants the development to be its “legacy to Peachtree City.”
Mullin urged Fields to insure that every tree possible is kept instead of clear cutting the site to make development easier.

“Trees are an important part of Peachtree City. It’s what makes this city important,” Mullin said.

Wieland’s Connector Village would feature 546 single family detached homes, 335 attached townhomes and approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space on its 468 acres. The townhomes are located on an 89-acre parcel that is part of the overall plan but is already in the city limits; the other parcel must be annexed.

Levitt’s plan is for 752 single-family detached homes on its 400-acre tract; the homes would be restricted to seniors 55 and up. This parcel too must be annexed to be developed as proposed.

After hearing comments from the City Council asking for the density to be reduced, Zickert said the company would reduce the number of homes but is waiting to officially do so until after it learns from the Georgia Regional Transportation Agency what transportation improvements will be required.

Both the Wieland and Levitt tracts in the county are zoned for lots with a minimum size of two acres. In the case of the Wieland tract, the Fayette County Commission won a court battle with then-landowner Pathway Communities to protect the zoning; Pathway couldn’t convince the court to lower the zoning to a one-acre lot minimum.

The two parcels are currently located in the unincorporated county north of the current terminus of MacDuff Parkway, which would be extended to Ga. Highway 74 north — lining up with the northern intersection of Kedron Drive — as part of the developments.

Wieland has also built in 83 acres of parks and greenspace that is on land that could be developed. About 100 acres of Wieland’s tract sits along Line Creek and could not be developed, and it will be left intact to protect the stream, Fields said.

Levitt is planning to have an activity director for its residents with a 27,000-square-foot clubhouse, an indoor and outdoor pool and eight tennis courts.

Most of the MacDuff extension would be on Wieland’s parcel, and the company plans to have none of the homes on MacDuff with driveways off the thoroughfare. Instead, they would be served by alleys.

Also, the homeowner’s association would take care of the landscaping on the parkway, Fields added.

Wieland’s community will have a clubhouse, swimming pool and trails in addition to the cart path system, the company has indicated. There is a school location immediately south of the Connector Village tract on land that Wieland donated when it developed the previous Centennial subdivision.

Annexation proponents have contended that the city will have to provide service to the area anyway, so it would make sense for the property to be annexed so the city could fund those services with property taxes.

Zickert said a study by a Georgia Tech professor showed that the Seasons subdivision would have an economic impact of $47.7 million and an additional $20 million in direct and indirect impact on local businesses. She also noted that those figures didn’t take into account the impact that won’t be made on law enforcement and the local court system by the subdivision, which the professor estimated as a possible additional $5 million benefit.