A proposed decentralized sewer system on the Coweta-Fayette border drew the ire of several residents during a heated meeting of the Coweta County Commission Tuesday night.

Fischer Crossings Development Group asked the County Commission Tuesday to rezone a total of 40 acres on Fischer Road from Rural Reserve to C-7 Major Shopping District with a Special Use Permit. The property, adjacent to Wynn’s Pond and Peachtree City, would be the site of a decentralized wastewater treatment plant for a shopping center that has already been zoned across Ga. Highway 34.

“The comprehensive plan finds that this an appropriate measure of getting rid of wastewater and the system would be owned and operated by Newnan Utilities,” said attorney George Rosenzweig.
The attorney added the treatment facility would only service the parcel that has already been zoned for a shopping area.

The area has already been the source of controversy when earlier this year a master plan was unveiled that showed commercial development on three corners of the Fischer Road and Ga. Highway 34 intersection. Because the amount of commercial space was so large, it would be subject to a Development of Regional Impact since Fischers Crossing Development Group owns all four corners and released the master plan.

But later, developer Scott Seymour sent an affidavit to Coweta County s saying there was no master plan and the parcel under consideration Tuesday night would only be used for the treatment plan and detention ponds.

The residents were, to say the least, suspicious of the developers.

“I question how a decision can be made without full disclosure,” said Pat Himes-Taylor.

Theo Man, who is president of the Featherstone Fishing Club on Wynn’s Pond, said he would prefer the area remain zoned rural reserve. He added that Wynn’s Pond should be a line of demarcation for commercial development.

“We don’t need any more commercial development,” said Fred Mayo, who represented the Braves Crossing subdivision on Fischer Road.

Bill Boone, who is an attorney in Atlanta, but has deep Coweta roots, was more blunt in his assessment.

“This is a blatant attempt to avoid a DRI,” he said.

But Rosenzweig said the special use would allow the developer only to use the parcel for the specific need and said the wastewater treatment facility would be far better for Wynn’s Pond residents than numerous septic tanks.

Newnan Utilities general manager Dennis McEntire said the decentralized sewer systems were safe and added that sewer systems would have to dealt with “until a cure is found for the common bowel movement.”

“In no way will this system harm the watershed area,” he added.

The County Commission will vote on the rezoning April 12.

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