It may well have been a landmark meeting as Fairburn council members Monday gave their approval to the first portion of a development that will draw shoppers to a nearly one million square feet commercial magnet on Ga. Highway 74.

In terms of size and economic impact the as yet unnamed commercial development is unlike anything in Fairburn’s retail history. The Nov. 14 unanimous vote paved the way for the development of approximately 279,500 square feet of retail space on 50 acres.

“We’re calling it now the Ga. 74 Commercial Center. This project does not have a formal name right now, but essentially it involves the land on the east side of Ga. 74 between Milam Road and the new, proposed Harris Road Extension,” City Administrator Jim Williams told the council. “It’s approximately 110 acres overall, but the first part we’re looking at tonight is phase one of the project and this is the piece of land that is firmly under the control of the developer and qualifies as a development in and of itself. This piece of property is approximately 50 acres and is proposed for the development of 279,500 square feet of retail/commercial area.”

The first portion of the development by Chicago-based Landmark Properties, located between Milam Road and the power line easement situated to the north, will include several important features that are a part of the overall concept, Williams said.

“Overall, there would only be three access points from Hwy. 74. This particular phase has one access point from 74. It also has three access points from Milam Road.”

The conceptual site plan designates two interparcel roadways inside the development running roughly parallel to Hwy. 74 while a third road. In the project’s first phase, the roads would run to the power line easement. It is at that location along SR 74 where the first of two eventual median cuts will be made and a traffic light installed, Williams said.

“This is a project that has been very responsive to the outlines that we have provided to the developers and we have been very pleased with the responsiveness of the developers in handling this. We feel that this particular site plan is one that needs to be approved for moving to the next phase of development, which is the final site plan.”

During discussion on the motion to approve the conceptual plan, council member Mario Avery said the development represented a great project with great venues and asked what Landmark would bring to the community other than jobs. Would the development, he asked, contribute to or enhance city schools or seniors or parks?

Landmark principal owner Ed Pilarz responded, saying his company develops and manages property for the long-term. Landmark’s commitment includes installing traffic signals and enhancing traffic flow management and extending existing streets, he said. The commercial center will serve as a catalyst to regenerate the corridor and will influence other developers in a way that will benefit Fairburn.

“Our involvement in this community is not just building it and developing it. We’ll be a major part of this community for a long time to come,” Pilarz said. “This project will define Fairburn in the market. It will make a major impression to the rest of the Atlanta trade area where we’re dealing with retailers as to what this city looks like. There’s nothing like this in this part of the market today.”

City staff included four conditions for the conceptual site plan. Those included submission of a detailed architectural design and sign program, the preservation of the basic concept throughout the process, adherence to the Hwy. 74 Corridor Plan and Overlay Ordinance and the submission of an appropriate landscaping plan.

The conceptual site plan was approved by the city’s Planning Commission Nov. 1.

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