Board approves commercial rezoning

The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 3 to approve a request by Racetrac Petroleum Inc. to rezone 2.29 acres on the northeast corner of Jodeco Road and Patrick Henry Parkway from single-family residential to highway commercial for a gas station and convenience store. The board also voted to amend the county’s comprehensive plan and designate the site as commercial. Chairman June Wood abstained from both votes.

Board OKs bid for intersection work

The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 4 to approve a $1,350,865.60 bid for construction of a roundabout at Hwy. 138 and Hemphill Road. Construction is expected to take about a year, according to county officials. Commissioners pointed out that this would not be a “mini” roundabout like the one nearby at Moseley Road, but more like the one almost complete at Hwy. 20 and East Lake Road. The Hemphill intersection is one that county officials have considered dangerous and in need of improvement.

Mayor reviews city’s 2016 progress

Peachtree City Mayor Vanessa Fleisch delivered her State of the City address at the City Council’s first meeting of the year on Jan. 5. Fleisch noted rising home values, completion of the Lake Peachtree dredging and restoration, improved city maintenance and new residential and commercial development among positive achievements in 2016. She said challenges remain in addressing traffic congestion on Ga. Hwy. 54 West, competing with newer housing in surrounding areas, and funding the new spillway for Lake Peachtree. The full text of the address is posted on Mayor Fleisch’s page under the Government tab at www.peachtree-city.org.

Council appoints mayor pro-tem

The College Park City Council recently approved the appointment of Councilman Tracey Wyatt as mayor pro-tem for 2017. Councilmen Ambrose Clay and Joe Carn moved and seconded the motion, respectively.

The council also approved Wyatt, who represents the city’s Ward 3, as appointee to the Clayton County Municipal Association Board of Directors, and Mayor Jack Longino as appointee to the South Fulton Municipal Association.

The council also adopted a resolution petitioning the U.S. Congress to direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a new noise measure model, and provide funding for a new round of noise insulation for noise-impacted homes.

The mayor and council deferred the consideration of supplemental state lobbying services and amendments to the city’s code of ethics until their Jan. 17 regular meeting.

City waiting for closing on mixed-use project

Avondale Estates is still waiting for South City Partners to close on the East College Avenue property between Sams Crossing and Hillyer Street. South City has planned a mixed-use development for the 3-acre site that includes 196 apartments and 8,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space.

The developer and brokers Ackerman & Co. have been in negotiations with longtime landowner Joe Gargiulo since May 2015. Initially a closing date was set for June 2016, then moved back to last November. On Monday Avondale Mayor Jonathan Elmore said he’s now hoping the closing will be this week.

Ben Campbell, a brokerage associate with Ackerman didn’t want to comment Monday, but said he might have an update late this week.

The project is vital for the city on several fronts. It would mark the official western gateway to Avondale Estates, with city officials hoping it will spearhead further development within the downtown business district.

The city is planning a ceremonial groundbreaking but Elmore said that has now been delayed. South City wants not only to wait until after the closing, but until it has demolished the three existing buildings on the property, including Coyote’s Mexican Grill, which is moving to the old Carpe Diem location in Decatur.