A plan from two different companies to build a shopping center and a residential complex for seniors in their twilight year was criticized by the planning commission Monday night.

The commission also was informed of progress on the extension of MacDuff Parkway, which will head north and link up with Ga. Highway 74 at the current intersection for north Kedron Drive.

As for the 310-unit Somerby senior development and the shopping center that will front it along Hwy. 74 South, there was concern about several changes to the initial version of the plan that was presented to the City Council to have the property rezoned.

Part of a road was shifted in the area of the senior development, explained by a representative as necessary due to the significant slopes on the site. Likewise, Commissioner Marty Mullin said he worried about an entrance road off the highway that had to snake back around the proposed bank before heading back into the senior development.

The company indicated it might be able to shift the bank closer to the drugstore, the other confirmed use for the parcel, and used shared parking to create a direct path for the road, which was anticipated to be a secondary entrance into Somerby.

Mullin said its most likely that would be the most used entrance anyway because of its proximity to the remainder of the city. The other entrance for Somerby will be located off Rockaway Road.

A representative for the developers, Columbia Properties and Dominion Partners, also said the site would be clear-cut of all trees, also because of topography issues, a proposal that also drew criticism.

Resident Phyllis Aguayo said the developer should have addressed the topography issues before creating the drawing that was presented to the City Council for the rezoning hearing.

“The neighbors ... should be told, ‘This might not be what you’ll get,” Aguayo said.

Resident Beth Pullias said if other citizens living in the area knew that “they would be driving by weedville” they would be upset.

The 14.3-acre site will include condominiums, memory care units and an assisted living facility.

As for the progress on MacDuff Parkway, Donna Black of Scarbrough Properties said it will be a two-lane road separated by a median with a bridge that will span the CSX railroad. CSX officials have committed to expediting its approval of the bridge, Black said, adding that construction is expected to take about 15 months.

The bridge includes room for a separate golf cart lane, Black added.

Parallel parking initially proposed for the parkway extension along property owned by John Wieland Homes has been removed from the proposal at the request of city staff.