Would prevent big boxes from moving in

Peachtree City may soon change its industrial zoning ordinance to disallow all retail use on property zoned general industrial.

At the same time, the city may also limit the size of retail buildings that can be used in the limited industrial zoning to a top size of 10,000 square feet. That would prevent big box stores from locating on any industrial zoned land in the city.

The planning department is also proposing a list of specific uses that would be allowed in the limited industrial category. Currently that would require a use not on the list to apply for a variance from the City Council or the use would be disallowed. But City Planner David Rast said he’d like to develop a different process perhaps to address that with input from the city’s planning commission.

Developer Mike Hyde said he would like to see that. Hyde was behind a proposal to build a Lowe’s Home Improvement store on a 13.8-acre parcel zoned for industrial use at the intersection of Ga. HIghway 74 south and Crosstown Road/TDK Boulevard. Hyde sued the city and won after the city informally denied the project, contending such a use was not allowed in the industrial park.

Hyde said he’d rather have a different way to address such problems instead of suing the city.

Rast said if the ordinance changed, it would grandfather in current retail businesses that have located in the industrial park. He also noted that the changes would not affect several churches which have sprouted up in the area.

Rast confirmed that the ordinance changes, if approved by council, would forbid a large retail enterprise such as Lowe’s Home Improvement from locating in the city’s industrial park.

Resident Paul Van’t Hof suggested that the city look at placing noise restrictions on the use of industrial property that’s adjacent to property zoned residential such as a strip of land along the Planterra Ridge subdivision. He said one company in that area has been landing military-style helicopters at its location, which “rattles the windows” of nearby homes.

Resident Phyllis Aguayo said it would also be good to restrict the use of chemicals that could endanger nearby residents.

Planning commissioner Theo Scott said the city might require the air from such businesses to be scrubbed.

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