Planning Commission Approves Rezoning for Peachtee Parkway Project

On Tuesday night the developer of a track of land located across from The Forum moved a step closer in getting his plans approved to build on a 4.32-acre site.

Bob Cheeley, the owner and developer of the property presented to the Planning Commission his plans for the property. Cheeley, who serves on the board of Piedmont Bank, purchased the land located on the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Medlock Bridge Road.

Cheeley has proposed four separate buildings, a 14,000 square foot office building to be located behind the bank and fronting Medlock Bridge Road and three other buildings along Peachtree Parkway which would be a mixture of restaurant and retail space.

A portion of the property, 2.937 acres is currently zoned for apartments and would need to be rezoned commercial (C-1) for the property to be developed.

In her presentation to the Planning Commission, Diana Wheeler, Community Planning Director, recommended approving the rezoning "because commercial property is more desirable than apartments," and would reduce the amount of remaining acreage currently zoned for apartments.

Mitch Peevy, a land consultant with Mill Creek Consulting who is working with Cheeley and attended the meeting, told the Planning Commission "the demographics here are incredible, so this space is easy to market." Among the possible businesses would be a Class A restaurant and a fine wine and liquor store.

Scott Hilton, president of the UPCCA spoke before the Commission in behalf of the 4,000 households that the civic association represents. "We're interested in maintaining the gold standard of the area," said Hilton, "and want to retain the look and feel of what we've worked so hard to preserve."

Hilton said a drive-through business and a liquor store may be sticking points but that UPCCA supported the overall proposal.

Judi Quigley, a resident of Peachtree Corners, spoke up against the drive-through business. "Drive-throughs generate a lot of trash," she said, pointing to a nearby McDonalds where she said customers discard their trash along S.R. 141.

As part of its recommendation the Planning Commission made the following recommendations which will be presented to the City Council.

• Any drive-through business is limited to a bank (or financial institution) and a coffee shop with at least 80 percent of the profit from that business derived from the sale of coffee.
• The two-story office space (fronting Medlock Bridge Road) would need an indoor lobby and no exposed stairs on the outside of the building.
• The buildings on Peachtree Parkway are to face or appear to face the road to avoid looking at the back of a building.
• Change the times for truck deliveries and lot cleaning from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

In other business, the Planning Commission approved business owner, Bill George's request for a Special Use Permit to allow a truck fleet maintenance facility on property located on Amwiler Road currently zoned for light industrial.

The Planning Commission placed several conditions to the approval which the business owner agreed including:

• Maintaining the security fencing that surrounds the property
• Repairs to trucks and trailers must take place within the enclosed building
• Outdoor loudspeakers are prohibited
• Repaint or repair any graffiti or vandalism within 72 hours

The Planning Commission approved both the rezoning request and special use permit 4-0. All were present except for Italia Metts.

Read also:

Residents Want More Details on Land Development Proposal

Note: A copy of the developer's plans is included with this story. Click on the PDF icon to see the full image. The plan may also be printed.

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