GC and LUC

[Don Haddix]

The portion of the Workshop, last night, on proposed tightening of the GC and LUC ordinances was rather heated at times. Marty Mullins and I collided on many issues.

The changes proposed were triggered by me, backed by Doug Sturbaum with Cyndi Plunkett agreeing some changes were needed.

To boil issues down to key outcomes, Sturbaum, Plunkett and I agreed certain minimums must be part of the GC, as regards trees, better buffers, other standards and a 35' roofline restriction. Rooflines above 35' require a rezoning to LUC and they need to meet some special need to be allowed. Planning Chairman Marty Mullins and Harold Logsdon wanted looser standards, guidelines versus requirements, in fact, and a 60' maximum height, subject to negotiation and approval by Planning alone, but in general they had no problem with 60' height, Big Boxes and high density.

This reflects a big division of views about PTC on height, size, density, buffers, set back and reasons to build, as in getting something on a space versus building per need. It also reflects distinct different views on the powers and purposes of Planning and Council on development issues.

It also reflects a huge difference on how retail types and numbers affect City income. As in the more you build the more money you get and the more people will move to PTC versus too much and certain kinds of retail hurt income and safety, plus retail does not attract residents, job proximity, schools and safety do.

The ordinances are now back with Staff to create the tighter requirment language.

[1smartcookie]

Don, I am glad to see that Ms. Plunkett seems more and more to be leaning towards what is good for PTC. As usual, Harold and his crony seems to want to destroy the area as fast as possible. Keep looking out for us. Thanks, Cookie

[Don Haddix]

I would like to add a comment about something reported on The Citizen Online.

Logsdon stated we needed more hotels and specifically blamed me for killing the Fairfield Inn due to the 35' issue. Problem with that is:


It was Fairfield Inn requirements that the building be 3 floors plus roof that killed it. A larger 2 floor building could have been built with no LUC requirement.
As for companies sending people to Newnan, he was told that by someone, prior to past meetings, not multiple statements from others.
Further, he added the new claim that the rooms were full Monday through Wednesday, not every weekday, at the Workshop. Which is interesting because the room occupancy is running about 40%, so 40% of a week is 3 days, which means to be at 40% overall, Thursday-Sunday the rooms must be empty.

As a side note, I have no idea where these businesses are that are causing 756 rooms to be full three days a week. Nor why the rooms would be empty totally the other 4 days, which they are not.

Prior to the Workshop he had also claimed businesses needing office space were turned away from PTC because we didn't have enough. But that claim did not resurface because I had informed all involved that a near empty office building was in Wisdom Point, beginning next year over 100,000 sq' of office space would be available in Westpark, there was empty space in the industrial area and there are other offices spaces available elsewhere.

Marty Mullins also said he wanted to build on spaces just to get buildings on them. Logsdon agreed with all of Mullin's positions. I said no, building must serve a needed function PTC wants, when we have an option of allowing or rejecting, as in variance and rezoning requests.

All are entitled to the visions and thinking. But I disagree with these claims and this vision for future growth entirely. I do not think shopping centers should be high density and loaded with 60' tall buildings and Big Boxes. And there needs to be more tall trees, by tree saves and/or plantings.

[CitizenAl]

I am very happy that you, Don, are clear headed enough to see that requirements are necessary. Guidelines are empty. I am also very happy to hear that Ms. Plunkett is moving toward reason.

This is a very specific and important issue. All our zoning and related "requirements" need to be reviewed and updated for both enforceability and to ensure that they support our vision for our city.

Keep up the good work.

[Don Haddix]

I am very pleased that after all this time the Transitional Yard Ordinance was passed.

That sets many minimum standards with no negotiations, trade offs, give ins, LUC, Variance or other issues required.

There was only one on Council voicing concerns about the restrictions.

Such as the Fairfield Inn were examples of the negative proposals that will be prevented in the future. That LUC failed 2-3, Logsdon and Boone voting for.

[RDM]

I'm not sure what the Transitional Yard Ordinance was but sounds good if it sets standards that can't be challenged. Should keep lots from being bulldozed while trying to get some type of exception.

Anyway what becomes of yet another mud whole in our city. I'd like to see an Ordinance that requires land owners (Developers mainly) that requires them to either one not start any clearing until they've gotten all approvals nessary to start (think you've mentioned we had one before). Or requires them to clean up a location if construction is haulted. At some point we're going to have more empty cleared lots than ones with trees again making it look more like any other city.

[Don Haddix]

Been tried and no movement forward by the majority.

Doug and I take what we can get when we can.

Another thing for a future Council, it appears.

[RDM]

This is becoming more of mud hole each week what's the plan here? At least have the developer or land owner level this and put some seed on it due to errosion. It's been three months.

[Don Haddix]

The Hilton at Lexington is suppose to start construction soon.

The Auto Zone at Wilshire is suppose to begin soon. But that is the only one I am aware of going forward there. Somerby is discontinued but owes us for the golf cart tunnel, etc, development.

The 74 widening bids, etc, crank up again in July. Part of that work is the Rockaway redirection, which includes work for the new shopping center, etc. Plus the new routing of the power lines and other untilities.

So, don't expect anything to be blazing away around 74 for months.