It was mainly about concerns over grading for retail on Ga. Highway 85 and buffers for residential on Grady Avenue at the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning work session March 13.

Commissioners heard details on the preliminary plat for the 19.26-acre Promenade Parkway retail site across from Fayette Pavilion. The project is proposed to be subdivided into 18 buildable lots ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 acres, according to Integrated Science & Engineering representative Brian Shoun.

Council members had concerns about the way the Promenade Parkway retail site would be graded, given the difference in elevation on portions of the property. Planning staff said the topography on the site varies and becomes relatively steep toward the middle and eastern portion of the tract.

Commissioners Bill Talley and Allen Feldman said the applicant should furnish an overall grading plan at the March 27 regular session. Addressing stormwater runoff, Shoun said stormwater drainage would be via the roadway and the on-site detention pond.

Adding to commissioners’ concern about grading was Shoun’s comment that the lots were independent and that plans called for selling the lots separately. That approach reinforced the call for a complete grading plan.

The property is located along Promenade Parkway behind the new Georgia Backyard furniture store. The site is zoned C-3 Highway Commercial.

Also at the meeting, commissioners reviewed the preliminary plat for Stella’s Place subdivision located at 335 Grady Ave. The project proposal includes construction of 68 single-family homes on the 38.15-acre site, with 13 acres of open space.

Speaking on behalf on several area Grady Avenue neighbors in attendance, Tona Spence asked about the size of the proposed homes, a minimum of 1,800 square feet, and the lot size of the development. But a main concern, she said, was the position of the proposed homes with backyards adjacent to the buffer area along Grady Avenue.

“I’ll be looking into their back yards from my front door,” Spence said.

Commissioners also had concerns, with Talley and Feldman telling project representative Larry Seabolt that the development would be unacceptable without some type of screening to provide a visual barrier that would afford privacy for homeowners and a degree of security for their children.

Spence said residents also had concerns over the increase in traffic that would accompany the development.

“We’re very concerned about this,” Spence said. “Traffic is already a problem.”

Seabolt agreed to meet with city planning staff to discuss a solution for the concerns.