The development of Tyrone’s development continues to be a sore spot for the Tyrone Town Council.

During the Feb.24 retreat, Town manager Barry Amos asked for direction from the Council on how the area should be developed. Amos said the leaders had approved a plan last May that showed an overall development for the area, but not all the councilmen agreed with that assessment.

“I just voted to place it in the comprehensive plan. I wasn’t agreeing with the whole plan,’ said Councilman Grace Caldwell.

Caldwell said survey after survey indicated the residents wanted the town to stay small and maintain its rural character, along with keeping large lots.

“I’m just doing what the people want,” she added.

The issue is at the forefront after developer Burt Clark’s request to rezone a significant part of downtown to create a clustered senior housing community. The Planning Commission has already turned him down, and it will come before the Town council later this month. Even if Clark’s development was approved, it will still face a struggle being built because the town does not have any excess sewerage capacity.

The town’s main option for more capacity would be modifying the sewer agreement with Fairburn and asking for more capacity, but with the rapid development in south Fulton County, that may not be an option.

In order to try and find a consensus on downtown development, Amos wants to hold a workshop with the Town Council April 7. He plans for the group to take a field trip to Serenbe in south Fulton County to provide one example of development that still has plenty of greenspace, but clusters homes.

“The staff just needs some direction on this issue,’ he said.

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