First Baptist to build community building

Peachtree City First Baptist Church has received the official go-ahead to build a 25,000 square foot community center just to the west of its main campus.

The two-story building will be located off the corner of Willowbend and Willow roads, behind another two story building at the Willowbend retail center.

The building will have a 10,000 sq. ft. gym with a stage area, another 6,000 sq. ft. for multipurpose use and classroom space, 2,000 sq. ft. for a youth area and 7,000 sq. ft. for a reception area and storage.

The church also plans to tear down three apartment buildings it owns directly to the south and across Willowbend Road from the main church building. That location will be made into a parking lot, officials said.

At Monday night’s meeting of the Planning Commission, chairman Dennis Payton said the plan was very good, but he felt that lighting for the site will be crucial because it is adjacent to a residential parcel: the Twiggs Corner condominiums.

“When they’re busy, there are going to be a lot of vehicles over there,” Payton said.

The church will add 144 parking spaces as part of the new development; that figure was greatly reduced from the church’s initial request. The goal, according to church spokesperson Randy Daughtry, is to eliminate parking along Willowbend Road on Sundays.

The church initially sought a land swap with the city that was later removed from consideration by church officials after protests from neighbors in the area.

A rezoning is not necessary for the site because the general residential zoning allows the building as a conditional use, according to City Planner David Rast.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the conceptual site plan for the building.

Church officials have committed to making the facility available for city recreation programs when it is not being used for church activities. The City Council has put on hold a plan to expand the city’s Gathering Place senior citizen’s center to see if there will be a need once the church building is available to house city programs.