The potential expansion of First Baptist Church in Peachtree City, which includes a community center, will require approval of the City Council for a proposed land swap between the two parties.

The matter is scheduled to be considered by council at its meeting April 20.

The church wants to acquire land currently occupied by city tennis courts at the corner of Willow Road and Willowbend Road in exchange for another parcel of equal value for the city to relocate its recycling center. The center will have to be relocated in the near future because of the widening of Ga. Highway 74 and the realignment of Rockaway Road.

Under the church proposal, the church would pay for rebuilding the courts at the corner of Hip Pocket and Hilltop Drive on what is currently a city playground; a playground or other facility of the city’s choosing would then be built by the church in the wooded area at the corner of Willowbend Road and Hip Pocket Road.

The church is also proposing an expansion of its parking area into the natural area between its property and Ga. Highway 54, known as the “Village Green.” That property is currently owned by the city. Also, the church is proposing a reconfiguration of its current parking lot on Willow Road.

City Planner David Rast, in a press release, noted that staff and the planning commission will work closely with the church due to the potential loss of “a substantial amount of vegetation” buffering the church, Highway 54 and the nearby Willowbend commercial center.

The use of land in the “Village Green” area also might be problematic, Rast indicated.

“While an exchange of recreation land that will result in the use of a recreational facility may make sense, I’m not sure the Planning Commission or staff could support the removal of the important buffer that Village Green provides along our major thoroughfare,” Rast said.

Another concern will be the traffic impact of the new development on surrounding residential areas. Residents in nearby neighborhoods along Willow Road and Hip Pocket Road will receive a mailing with information on the project. Information on the plans will be posted on the city’s web site and available for review at City Hall prior to the April 20 meeting.

The church is offering use of the new community center for city recreational programs during times when the church will not be using the facility.

Church spokesman Randy Daughtry said the church is excited about the concept plan because it allows the church to meet its growth needs and the community center “will help the city’s leisure services department meet programming and space needs at no additional cost to the taxpayers.”

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