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Published Friday, November 14, 2008 in Local

Residents opposed Lower Fayetteville rezoning

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Times-Herald

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition to a commercial rezoning on Lower Fayetteville Road at a public hearing Thursday night before the Coweta County Board of Commissioners.

"With all the empty buildings we already have sitting around Coweta, we don't see the need for more of them. Especially not in the area where we live," said James Schmitt of Lower Fayetteville Road.

Sisters Sally Neal and Susan Whatley are seeking the C6, Commercial Minor Shopping District, designation for the two tracts, located on either side of Robinson Lake Road, near the new Central Library.

The 11 acres are "the remainder of our family property," said Whatley. Seven acres to the west are already zoned commercial. "We are proud of the county for making this corner of eastern Coweta County a quality area." Whatley said they have been talking to a medical facility as a possible tenant.

"Our intention is to make the balance of our family farm a quality development, not a strip mall thing," Whatley said.

Paul Tidwell was the first to speak in opposition to the rezoning. Tidwell said he's only found one person in the area who is in favor of the rezoning, and that was because he wanted to make more money off his land, Tidwell said. "The reason we oppose is the quality of the life in the area."

Schmitt said he likes the library but doesn't think stores and other commercial development are needed there. Plus, there are partially empty commercial areas "sitting right around the corner, anyway."

There is already the "desert that has been left on Doc. Fischer Road," said Kim Beahan, referring to the stalled Fischer Crossings development. There are plenty of places for new businesses to locate in Coweta, she said. "I don't think we have to build new."

Everyone in the area "feels like there is too much growth," said April Tidwell. There are so many businesses going out of business already, leaving empty buildings, she said.

Neal said she understands that people don't like change but "I do think the area will be a very nice area" and that it will be beneficial to the community to have things such as doctor's offices and daycare centers there.

A decision the rezoning will be on the agenda for Tuesday's commission meeting.

A public hearing on the abandonment of Joel Sanders Road was continued until a survey can be completed.

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