O’Reilly Auto Parts moved a step closer to constructing a store on Tyrone Road on property adjacent to the BP station on Ga. Highway 74. Tyrone Planning Commission Feb. 28 voted unanimously to recommend approval of the site plan for the project.

The project received approval on a variance request for a reduced setback in December. Town Manager Chris Venice told commissioners three issues existed in the site plan but that two of those had already been addressed in the 2007 variance approval. Those included improvement to Handley Road and setbacks on the west side of the 7,725 square-foot building.

The portion of Handley Road that will be adjacent to O’Reilly is currently unpaved and will be paved as part of the project requirements. Venice said the current right-of-way is 30 feet, adding that the need to have a 60-foot right-of-way to allow enough easement to construct the road was not addressed last year. Project representative Paul Patterson said O’Reilly could build the road in a manner that would accommodate future right-of-way acquisition.

Venice said an issue regarding yard setback had also been addressed in December’s variance approval. She also recommended that the elevations for the steel frame, brick veneer building include facade breakouts to negate the appearance of a long, blank wall. Myers agreed to the recommendation.

On another agenda item, commissioners gave unanimous approval to a conceptual site plan by Hanson Aggregates Southeast, Inc. for a 2,000 square-foot addition to a existing fuel facility designed to meet federal requirements for spill containment.

Project representative Ed Myers the building would be vented and would include a state-required catch basin for potential spillage. Venice recommended approval, saying the only item need was an affidavit from the property owner.

Also at the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval to a text amendment to the zoning ordinance relating to conservation subdivisions and open space. Responding to questions from commissioners, Venice said the measure concerned a state mandate relating to cluster housing in the CR-1, CR-2 and CR-3 zoning categories. Those categories include lots 1-3 acres in size. The amendment, one of five other mandate components already adopted by the town council, is part of an initiative of the North Georgia Water District.

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