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Line Creek development: It’s the best deal we are going to getTue, 07/15/2008 - 3:12pm
By: Letters to the ...
I have read several Free Speech comments regarding the proposed development at Line Creek West, in which the writers blamed City Council for decisions that were actually made 30 years ago. Recall that Capital City Development (CCD) asked for special permission to exceed PTC’s square-footage limit for two of the stores in their proposed development. For more than a year I, too, believed that CCD should have to follow the rules just like everybody else. Why should they get any special treatment? I got my answer when I attended a couple City Council meetings, where I learned the following: 1. The property in question, at the corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Planterra Way, has been zoned commercial since 1977. The fact that I don’t believe a commercial development of any kind should go in at this location, or that traffic patterns are already impossible, is irrelevant. It is zoned commercial and that is not going to change. 2. Whether Peachtree City citizens want another shopping center or believe that another commercial entity can be successful in our town, which already has a high commercial vacancy rate, is also irrelevant. Again, the property has been zoned commercial for 30 years and that is not going to change. 3. Sooner or later something will go in at that corner. It will be commercial. And under current PTC size limits, that “something” could be a gas station and a fast food joint. Quik Trip plus Burger King is, in fact, a viable option for the location, and these establishments meet all PTC requirements. 4. Looking more closely at the CCD proposal, it is easy to see that a tremendous amount of effort was made to design a complex that is consistent with the upscale design of other commercial establishments in PTC; and that compliments the design of establishments located across Hwy. 54. Orientation of the buildings, layout and flow of parking lots, and “plaza” type design make it pleasing to the eye. It includes a raised, landscaped buffer on the Cardiff Park side, a buffer on Planterra Way, and a golf cart path for access from Planterra Ridge. It minimizes light pollution, nighttime activities, and industrial noise. It allows for future traffic control with an easement to Huddleston Road. The developer has also agreed in writing to 27 (I think) restrictions on the type of stores that can go in, including: no tattoo parlors, automotive parts stores, kennels, pawn shops, or dozens of others. The developer has also agreed to $200,000 worth of landscaped medians. There is much, much more. In fact, the majority of the long list of items Councilwoman Plunkett has requested to improve aesthetics and reduce impact has been granted. 5. The reason for the special use permit allowing two larger-than-usual stores in the development is so that the developer can court “credit tenants.” Credit tenants are usually national stores, such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Credit tenants are more profitable, more reliable and less likely to vacate their stores. 6. Cardiff Park neighbors have spoken at City Council in support of the CCD proposal. Perhaps they realize what could happen — what else could go in at this location — if the CCD proposal does not work out. Mayor Logsdon and Councilman Steve Boone have made it clear that even bigger boxes, such as Kohl’s or even Costco, are not objectionable to them. Councilmen Haddix and Sturbaum object to the CCD proposal, which begs the question of what would inevitably come next at the location. Finally, Councilwoman Plunkett, knowing she is the swing vote, asked for the moon from the developer, and got it. While I initially objected to the special use permit, I have watched, listened, asked questions and observed, and I now believe that, like it or not, this is the best possible option. Kim Learnard Peachtree City, Ga. login to post comments
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