On Feb. 7, the Peachtree City Council faces a difficult decision which is whether or not to abandon/sell the roads to the developer of the Ga. Highway 54 West property.

That issue is the key as to whether the city controls the look and feel of what will be developed on that site, or whether the city only controls to a minimum what the site will look like.

One alternative is to allow the development to look and feel like The Avenue, BUT that proposal includes a big box, namely Kohl’s.

The other alternative is to get the minimum in terms of landscaping, set-backs, people-friendly atmosphere, and quality of retailers, AND that proposal will include a large scale gas station and at least one national chain restaurant, both of which will create a regional draw.

When this development first appeared on the horizon, the city asked the developer to join with the new development directly to the west and to include local area residents (Cardiff Park and Planterra Ridge) to be involved in the planning.

For several different reasons, the two developments separated, and the residents continued to work with Capital Cities Development on the Line Creek project (better known as the 54 West Development). The representatives of Cardiff Park and Planterra Ridge, as well as the developers, have been meeting for over one year.

During that time approximately 40 different plans/proposals were developed, looked at, discussed, and debated. The end result is what was presented in The Citizen on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The proposals and plans that were looked at were based upon the fact that the city would be required to abandon or sell the roads to the developer. The legality of that issue was researched.

In addition, there have been approximately fourteen instances of the city trading or giving up roads in Peachtree City.

The legality of granting an exception for a big box was also researched in terms of precedent which many citizens seem to think is reason enough to stop the city from granting the exception. That question also was discovered to not preclude the city granting a special use permit to build a big box.

Many of the citizens of Peachtree City continue to say, “Show us another plan.” Since you cannot appreciate the position of someone else unless you make an effort to walk in their shoes, the citizens of Peachtree City cannot appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into this long-term planning process.

It is far to easy for our residents to sit back in their easy chairs and say, “What if? Why didn’t you try this? There has to be something better. We do not like big boxes,” and on and on and on.

Very few of our citizens have taken the opportunity to become educated regarding big boxes, because not all of them are exactly alike.

The standard governmental definition of a big box is that they are “large, free-standing, discount retail stores.” That definition includes the Wal-Marts, Home Depots, Sam’s Club, etc.

It does not necessarily define neighborhood department stores, large square footage specialty retailers and so forth.

Kohl’s does not fit the standard description of a big box, especially as it is designed for Peachtree City. Kohl’s marketing plan is based on serving customers from a six- to eight-mile radius. It is not a regional draw.

Based on information that has been presented, Kohl’s has not closed a store in the last 20 or so years. They have a sound financial plan and reputation. Kohl’s markets to neighborhoods, and thus, a store in Peachtree City will not adversely affect their stores in both Newnan and Fayetteville.

After more than a year of discussions, compromising, and redesigning plans, Peachtree City is now faced with two choices. Both choices can become a reality.

One choice is a plan that does not represent the aesthetics or quality of design that Peachtree City expects. That choice also does not affect all of the concepts that people talk about when they refer to the “quality of life” in Peachtree City.

The other choice is a development which will be extremely [similar] in nature, including landscaping and walkability, to The Avenue. That plan does include a “big box”; however, if the Kohl’s name was taken off the front of the building, no one would be able to recognize that it is just one retailer.

In addition, that plan includes 24 separate points that protect both Peachtree City and the residents of Cardiff Park and Planterra Ridge for the entire life of the property – no matter who owns it.

It is time for the residents of Peachtree City to make a choice based upon reason and knowledge of all the facts, rather than basing a decision upon excuses and blind emotion.

Citizens should email their council members before the critical vote on Feb. 7. That date is the end date for a decision. There will be no additional postponements or delays. The developer must start turning dirt in the very near future. The issue cannot be avoided any longer by wishing for something else or just ignoring the problem and wishfully thinking the problem will go away.

I sincerely hope that the residents of city take the time to think out what has been presented and remember that like-minded citizens worked diligently for more than a year to develop the best possible plan for Peachtree City.

The City Council must abandon/sell the roads to ensure that the best possible plan for Peachtree City can be developed. If they do not choose to do so, we can all welcome a development that will look like any other tacky development that we see in almost every city and town in our country.

Paul M. Van’t Hof

Planterra Ridge

Peachtree City, Ga.