Controversial parking lot headed for City Council showdown

Thu, 09/13/2007 - 3:04pm
By: John Thompson

As the three-story building on Senoia’s Main Street heads towards completion. Many residents have wondered where business owners and visitors will park.

That issue could be resolved Monday night when the City Council considers a rezoning for a parking lot.

During the July Planning Commission meeting, the planners rejected a request from Historical Development Ventures to rezone the 1.103 acre lot from Residential-40 to General Commercial. But the group did leave the door open to try and find a solution to the parking dilemma the city will soon face.

Historical Development Ventures representative Scott Tigchelaar told the Planning Commission that the group’s first building on Main Street would open in December with a variety of businesses including a radio station, a doctor, chiropractor and two restaurants.

Also, his group owns the building at 18 Main Street and a restaurant is planned for that location.

“We’re talking three restaurants with 60-100 capacity and those folks have to park somewhere,” he said.

But many residents at the meeting suggested that a residential area was not the proper place for a parking lot.

Reynolds Allen, who lives across the street from the property, summed up his feelings by quoting Joni Mitchell.

“I hope we don’t say, ‘They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.’”

The discussion moved to the City Council Monday night for a final decision.

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