PTC planners OK industrial changes

Thu, 01/31/2008 - 4:25pm
By: John Munford

Would prevent big box from being built on industrially zoned parcels

The Peachtree City Planning Commission has recommended approval of a new zoning ordinance to disallow all retail use on property zoned general industrial.

Certain types of retail would be allowed in the limited industrial zoning district, but such outlets will be capped at no more than 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.

City Planner David Rast noted there are some use conflicts with children’s gyms, for example, located next to warehouses or other industrially-used buildings that have a significant amount of truck traffic.

The new ordinance, which must be approved by the City Council to take affect, was developed in response to a bid from a local developer to build a Lowe’s Home Improvement store on land zoned industrial at the intersection of Ga. HIghway 74 south and Crosstown Road/TDK Boulevard.

Developer Mike Hyde sued the city and won after the city informally denied the project, contending such a use was not allowed in the industrial park.

Though the city has a big box ordinance that limits retail businesses to a maximum store size of 35,000 square feet, that ordinance only governs land zoned for commercial use. Thus it doesn’t apply to industrially-zoned parcels.

If the ordinance is adopted by the City Council, it would grandfather in current retail businesses that have located in the industrial park. The changes would not affect several churches which have sprouted up in the industrial park, Rast has said.

The ordinance also sets out a specific list of uses that will be allowed for general industrial zoning, such as manufacturing, assembly, distribution, warehousing and office uses, among others.

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Submitted by Jones on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 10:12pm.

At least we have one councilman who keeps his promises. Keep up the good fight Mr. Haddix!

Don Haddix's picture
Submitted by Don Haddix on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 10:33pm.

Doug Sturbaum and I are both working hard to keep our promises.

A long way to go and we appreciate your patience and encouragement.

A forum is coming in February. Another promise made on more open communications.

Don Haddix
PTC Councilman
Post 1
donhaddix.com


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 11:49pm.

that Cardiff Park, all 23 residents, paid for.

If it wasn't for rezoning Cardiff Park and their Kohl's wouldn't be there.

The current plan, #3, is nothing more then a gas station substituted for a Hooters. I'm surprised the new plan wasn't drawn on the back of a wet bar napkin like the Hooter's plan was.

It should be a cold day in Hades when 23 households can dictate whats good for the rest of us in PTC.

Besides, I'll need to stop for gas there after I've spent the last two hours trying to get back to PTC from Newnan.

Personally, I think the developer is bluffing, again.

Why is it that Capitol City Development has to have a BIG BOX in order to develop their land and the other developer, just west of that site, is able to provide PTC with an attractive development without a BIG BOX?

I really love their argument that "This is the entrance to PTC".

How is anyone going to be able to tell when they've entered PTC, as that entire three miles of road will be one shopping center after the other.

I know, we can tell everyone "When you see the "Cardif Park Kohl's", you're in PTC".

Selling those roads to a developer would be like selling your sister to a pimp.


CCB's picture
Submitted by CCB on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 12:50pm.

Doug McMurrain has a reputation for being a whiner. When the local resident overwhelmingly say don't do the big retail project and don't sell the city roads, a two page ad in the newspaper is going to help.

The fact is Doug extended himself too far on the land acquisitions. Harold told him the approval was in the bag and Doug thought he had it.

Doug just needs to cut his losses and let someone else take on a project that will float with the locals.


mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 6:46am.

1. We don't need Kohl's, we won't shop there and it will be empty after 3 years. Therefore the sales tax projections are pure crap.
2. Swing vote, Don? Why once again that would be Ms. Plunkett. Get her on board if she isn't already. The best arguement is the "let's not set a precedent" approach. It is safe and legal - sensible as well.
3. The 23 residents of Cardiff Park paid for that ad themselves? Huh? No help from the developer, I suppose. What does 2 pages in color cost? $10,000? And the residents paid for it?
4. Ok, let's assume they paid for the ad. What is the point of the ad? Which of the 3 proposals do they want? Do they actually say anything or have a point - other than e-mail city council. Seems like wasted money to me.


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 3:32pm.

I think it would do quite well. People shop at the high-end Avenues and they shop in droves at the bottom-end of Wal-Mart across the street. Why would Kohl's do poorly in PTC? The theory that "well, if people want to go to store X they can drive to Fayetteville or Newnan" is one stupid theory that has been disproven over and over. People prefer to shop close to home.

Now, whether Kohl's and the street giveaway should be approved or not is pretty debatable as another issue. Considering that there is going to be commercial development at that spot regardless of whether the streets are given up, it might be preferable to have decent development instead of the strip malls that sit on top of 54 directly across the street. Five Guys ought to open their backdoor as they could run a drive-thru out on to 54 as close as those buildings are to the highway.


Submitted by Spyglass on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 6:08pm.

or parking lots. I prefer the look of the buildings close to the road (on the north side of 54, ie Five Guys area) and the parking behind them myself.

And yes, Kohls, or better yet, Belk, especially since they bought out Parisian, would do well there.

Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 7:22pm.

Can we please have something besides low-class, semi-department stores on that spot of land? Come on, let's shoot for the stars and lean more towards a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, maybe even a Barnes & Noble or Border's Books.

But I have the sick feeling that this development is going to turn into another anchor for a Dollar Store and a BP gas station.

___________________________________
GROUNDHOG DAY - ORIGINALLY PAGAN CELEBRATION


borntorun's picture
Submitted by borntorun on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 4:34pm.

You are spot on, Nuk....whether its Kohls, Belks, or any other chain clothing store, no doubt it'd do fine....I've never understood the logic that driving 10-15 miles to shop is somehow better than shopping locally.


Submitted by sageadvice on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 3:53pm.

Do you know why "Red Lobster" was turned down on 74 a few years ago---near the World Gym. I think it was because they didn't want to leave so many trees and their sign couldn't be seen.
Now, show me the trees that hide that crap on 54 at the entrance to Walmart!
And, are there many at World Gym? I see it well.

Might as well hire Lindsey now if you can before a developer does.

NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 10:31pm.

They were upset that the City wouldn't let them clear out almost the whole lot of everything and used the clear-cutting Longhorn was allowed to do on all sides of their property as an argument as to why they (Red Lobster) should be allowed to do similar. They had a point as the City had set a rather bad precedent with Longhorn. Since then, I think RL is about the last project that was rejected for tree preservation on the property.


Submitted by sageadvice on Sat, 02/02/2008 - 4:14am.

They don't "clear cut" they usually leave one row of skinny pines to soon die off for lack of support against the wind!

Either that or a few Bushes (no not Texas type) that they keep trimmed to 6 feet.

Nobody is fooled by such stuff.

We missed a good sea-food place for a reasonable price for the food.

Why? Other restaurants didn't want them?

Mike King's picture
Submitted by Mike King on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 3:45pm.

NUK,s comments hit it dead on. The land will be developed with the question of what goes in being the issue.
I am against big boxes for obvious reasons, however I would consider one being better than let's say a gas station and a Hooters.
CCB's point of getting Mr McMurrain out of the picture and letting someone else do the development is probably best for all concerned. Mr McMurrain does own the property, but has burned enough bridges that he would be cast the villain no matter what he does.
Interesting time ahead for our City Council.


Submitted by sageadvice on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 3:55pm.

Needs to be things that require very little traffic to mess up the already messed up area.

Don Haddix's picture
Submitted by Don Haddix on Fri, 02/01/2008 - 12:20am.

Click the link to my site in my sig and read the 54 abandonment info. Share it with others. Make sure you look at the maps in the attachment.

Doug Sturbaum and I are opposed to abandonment and all Big Boxes.

Those who oppose need to email the Council and state their opposition. Some have emailed based on the ad and letter to the editor picking a plan as if that is the bottom line on what will happen. Counter emails are effective and desired. We need the third vote.

Feel free to email us any time.

Don Haddix
PTC Councilman
Post 1
donhaddix.com


Submitted by Paul Erwin on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 9:48pm.

"Churches, children's Gyms": I do believe they are talking about Atlanta City Church and Jump 2 It? Funny how the most successful Inflatable place seems to be in the crosshairs. I wonder who all is on the opposition? Their Competitors? Maybe they are just jealous.

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