It will be lights, camera and action at Monday nights’ Senoia City Council meeting when Riverwood Studious embarks on its journey to transform the city’s downtown area.

The Senoia-based movie studio recently purchased tracts of land throughout the downtown area and plans to build historic buildings to fit with the existing quaint downtown area on Main Street.

On Monday, representatives will ask for a variance from the city’s existing height ordinance.

“Currently, we allow buildings to be 40 feet height. But the cornicing on their proposed buildings make then 42 feet, so they need a variance,’ said city administrator Richard Ferry.

The two proposed buildings on Main Street are three stories high, and will be a mix of office and commercial uses, Ferry believes. During a series of town meetings on the future of the city, residents top priority was having a white tablecloth restaurant come to town, which is a possibility for the building.

Another possibility would be residential, such as lofts on the top story.

“My only concern would be where the residents would park,” Ferry said.

In August a group of 32 Senoia area women met with Scott Tigchelaar and Paul Lombardi, President and CEO of Riverwood Studios and the owners of Historic Development Ventures at the Veranda Historic Bed and Breakfast.

The meeting was organized by Joanne Utt and Nancy Roy, who are both heavily involved with tourism in Coweta County and the Senoia area. In addition to networking between newer and long-time residents of Senoia, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Riverwood Studios' present and future plans in buying several properties within Senoia.

Tigchelaar opened his remarks with the observation that Riverwood Studios has been in Senoia for over 20 years, and they are here to stay.

"Senoia has always been a special place for us and we intend to keep it that way."

The rumor that Dollar General had approached Paul McKnight about buying his cotton gin property next to the Post Office prompted their company, Historic Development Ventures, to immediately step in with an offer.

"No Dollar General", declared Tigchelaar, which earned a hearty round of applause.

He and Lombardi's aim is not only to maintain the small-town atmosphere most of downtown Senoia currently enjoys by developing their properties into multi-use buildings which will be designed to fit architecturally within the same historical era, yet current with today's building codes and standards.

At this time, there are no plans to buy any more vacant properties.

Lombardi stated that "Even if we never make another movie in this town, the development will be worth the cost".

"We'd like to make Senoia into a destination town," Tigchelaar said, "a place that you can come to spend the whole weekend. Talk to your friends, get them to consider opening up a business here," Tigchelaar urged.

Both Lombardi and Tigchelaar urged that if anyone had any concerns or questions, you can contact them, preferably via e-mail. The website for Riverwood Studios is www.riverwoodstudios.com.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

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