In Fayette County, one city is economic hotspot for developers

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Fayetteville logs 15 annexations, 30 rezonings in past 4 years — 

Where is growth the hottest in Fayette County? Look no farther than the once sleepy town of Fayetteville.

Now home to one of the world’s largest assembly of movie and production studios — Trilith, on the city’s west side — Fayetteville is setting records in adding new territory to its city limits via annexations and new, more dense multi-family and commercial rezonings.

Once-hot Peachtree City has cooled following the Wilksmoor Village construction on the city’s northwest side. Now a historical memory, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Peachtree City was often among the top 10 cities in the nation in percentage population increases.

In a report for the Fayetteville City Council meeting this Thursday, City Manager Ray Gibson details 30 rezonings and 15 annexations — each annexed land parcel coming with additional rezonings — since the beginning of 2019. Annexation is one method by which a city grows, by taking unincorporated county land into the city limits and rezoning it for different — usually more dense — uses.

The report shows that Fayetteville’s response to development requests was the hottest so far in 2022. Here’s the summary for each year:

• 2019 — 2 annexations and 13 rezonings

• 2020 — No annexations and 4 rezonings

• 2021 — No annexations and 6 rezonings

• 2022 — 13 annexations and 7 rezonings

• Total — 15 annexations and 30 rezonings

The report below is part of the city’s yearly updating of its zoning map.

SUBJECT: Official Adoption of Updated City Zoning Map

The currently adopted City Zoning Map (0-27-18) was adopted by City Council on October 18, 2018. In continuance of the recommendations by the City Attorney, Mayor and Council shall adopt the City Zoning Map at or near an annual basis to record any changes to the document. All changes are recorded and maintained in the City’s GIS (Geographic Information System) files. The updated City Zoning Map being presented for adoption includes one 2018 rezoning that was not included in the 2018 update along with all zoning changes approved by Mayor and Council from 2019 through 2022.

Rezonings 2018-2022

2018

In September 2108, one rezoning was approved for the following property.

• 240-250 Lee Street (1.2 acres) was rezoned from R-22 (Single Family Residential to C-1 (Downtown Commercial). Current location of Awkward Brewery.

2019

In February of 2019, four rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• Property located at Highway 54 West (31.55 acres) was rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential) to O&I (Office Institutional) The project was later withdrawn and this parcel remains undeveloped.

• 300 Favor Road (30.52 acres total) three parcels were rezoned from R-30 Single Family Residential to C-1 (Downtown Commercial) and one parcel was rezoned from C-3 (Highway Commercial) to C-1 (Downtown Commercial) for the development of Walton Communities. (under construction)

• 455 Beauregard Blvd. (2.97 acres) was rezoned from R-30 Single Family Residential to C1 Downtown Commercial. This parcel is also now part of the Walton Communities development.

• 212 Sandy Creek Road (24.64 acres) was rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential) to O&I (Office Institutional) for future hospital campus expansion at Fayette Piedmont Medical Center. This parcel remains undeveloped as the project was put on hold.

In March of 2019, one annexation and five rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• After litigation from the 2016 Fayette Ventures project was settled (29.5 acres) was annexed into the city and rezoned from R-40 (Single Family Residential/county) to RTHC (Residential Townhouse Condominium/city). At the same meeting, (five parcels totaling 37.4 acres) located within the city limits at Hwy 92 and Jimmie Mayfield Drive were rezoned from C-3 (Highway Commercial), to RTHC (Residential Townhouse Condominium. The combined parcels make up the Fayette Meadows residential subdivision. (under construction)

In August of 2019, one city-initiated annexation and two rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 178 North 85 Parkway was annexed into the city and rezoned from CH (Commercial Highway/county) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing/city). This city-initiated annexation removed an unincorporated island created years prior.

• 735 Veterans Parkway (6.26 acres of a 28-acre tract) was rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential) to O&I (Office Institutional) for development of a new medical office building. This parcel remains undeveloped; however, the project is moving forward and the conceptual site plan is currently under review by city staff after a long delay.

• 1129 and 1137 Highway 54 West. The zoning of five parcels (144.91 acres total) was reverted back to R-70 (Single Family Residential) from PCD (Planned Community Development) at the request of the Folia Crossroads developer. The project was originally approved in June 2018 and later withdrawn at the preliminary plat stage. This property remains undeveloped.

In November of 2019, rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• A portion of 370 North Jeff Davis Drive (0.83 acres of the 1.75-acre tract) was rezoned from R-30 (Single Family Residential to DR-15 (One and Two Family Residential). The remaining (0.92 acres) was rezoned from C-2 (Community Commercial) to DR-15 (One and Two Family Residential). At the same time, the adjacent parcel 402 North Jeff Davis Drive (0.45 acres) was rezoned from R-30 (Single Family Residential) to DR-15. These rezonings were requested to bring legal nonconforming lots in compliance with the current zoning ordinance for both allowed uses (duplexes) and the minimum lot width requirements.

2020

In May of 2020, one rezoning was approved for the following property.

• Property located at the corner of New Hope Road and Highway 314 (3.97 acres) was rezoned from C-2 (Community Commercial) to C-3 (Highway Commercial) for development of The Shoppes at News Hope, a retail center with drive-thru facilities. (under construction)

In August of 2020, two rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 180 and 190 Whitney Street (13.6 acres total) were rezoned from R-30 Single Family Residential to RTHC (Residential Townhouse Condominium) for the development of Dixon Farms residential subdivision. (under construction)

• 995 Highway 85 North (21.48 acres total) was rezoned from R-22 Single Family Residential to RTHC (Residential Townhouse Condominium) for the development of Satterfield Townhomes. (under construction)

In December of 2020, rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 210 and 220 South Jeff Davis Drive (0.56 acres total) were rezoned from C1 (Downtown Commercial) to DR-15 (One and Two Family Residential) for construction of two duplexes.

2021

In June of 2021, two rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 305 Beauregard Blvd. (2.6 acres) was rezoned from R-30 (Single Family Residential to C-1 (Downtown Commercial). Current location of Southern Conservation Trust.

• Hwy 54 W & Lafayette Ave (8.13 acres) was rezoned from PCD-Planned Community Development Age restricted cottages to PCD-Townhomes. Change in PCD permitted uses to allow for the construction of Lafayette Townhomes. (under construction)

In August of 2021, one rezoning was approved for the following property.

• 110 North 85 Parkway (1 acre) was rezoned from M-1 (Light Manufacturing to C-3 (Highway Commercial) per a staff-initiated request to better align with the business park component of the comprehensive plan.

In October and November of 2021, three staff-initiated rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 563 Sandy Creek Road (24.50 acres) was rezoned from BP (Business Park) to PCD (Planned Community Development. Current location of MBS Trilith. (October)

• Three City of Fayetteville properties located at 210 Stonewall Avenue West (New City Hall), 300 City Center Parkway (Southside Center, Bus Barn and City Center Park) and 240 Glynn Street South (Old City Hall) were all rezoned from RP (Residential Professional) to C-1 (Downtown Commercial). Staff-initiated request to better align with the comprehensive plan and allow for the desired uses in the downtown area. (October)

• 187 North 85 Parkway (2 acres) was rezoned from M-1 (Light Manufacturing) to C-3 (Highway Commercial). Staff-initiated request to revert back to the original zoning if the dog care facility was to cease operations. Records show the dog care facility ceased operations on September 4, 2021. (November)

2022

In April and May of 2022, two rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 1302 Highway 85 North (6.69 acres) was rezoned from C-2 (Community Commercial) to C-3 (Highway Commercial). Current location of Tesla. (April)

• 100 Highway 314 (1.8 acres) was rezoned from C-2 (Community Commercial) to C-3 (Highway Commercial) to allow for automotive use. Future location of Tires Discounters. (May)

In June of 2022, four annexations and one rezoning were approved for the following properties.

• 177 Tyrone Road along with three additional parcels located along Flat Creek Trail (412 acres total) were annexed into the city and rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential)/county) to BP (Business Park/city) for the Excalibur project. Future location of QTS Data Center.

• 235 Promenade Parkway (24.6 acres) was rezoned from C-3 (Highway Commercial) to M- 1 (Light Manufacturing) to allow for construction of a light industrial commerce center. Future location of Promenade Parkway Commerce Center.

In September of 2022, rezonings were approved for the following properties.

• 460 and 510 East Lanier Avenue (8.5 acres total) were rezoned from R-30 Single Family Residential to RTHC (Residential Townhouse Condominium) for the development of a new residential subdivision that would include one- and two-story attached and detached single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, cottage homes and micro homes.

In November of 2022, three annexations were approved for the following properties.

• 135 and 145 Walker Parkway along with 1373 Highway 85 North (8.29 acres total) were annexed into the city and rezoned from CH (Commercial Highway)/county) and AR (Agricultural -Residential) /county) to C-3 (Highway Commercial/city) for the development of several free-standing restaurants including Jim & Nicks BBQ.

In December of 2022, six annexations and four rezonings (all related to the Trilith South Expansion project) were approved for the following properties.

• 566 and 568 Sandy Creek Road (24.30 acres total) were annexed into the city and rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential)/county) to PCD (Planned Community Development) city) for the Trilith South Expansion project.

• Four parcels located at Veterans Parkway/South Sandy Creek Road intersection. (14.58 acres total) were annexed into the city and rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential)/county) to PCD (Planned Community Development) city) for the Trilith South Expansion project.

• Two parcels located within the existing Trilith Studio property (142 acres total) were rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential) and BP (Business Park) to PCD (Planned Community Development) for the Trilith South Expansion project.

• Two parcels located along Sandy Creek Road (9.89 acres total) were rezoned from R-70 (Single Family Residential) to OI (Office Institutional) for the Trilith South Expansion project. This will include the expansion of Georgia Military College and the future location of the city’s new Fire Station.

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval of the updated 2023 City Zoning Map as presented.

In Fayette County, one city is the Promised Land for developers
The updated Fayetteville zoning map. Graphic/City of Fayetteville.

9 COMMENTS

  1. So some people want to live racked and stacked like ants. Some people don’t want to live that way. The density isn’t pretty and the crowds only benefit merchants.

    Density will continue to be my most important voting criteria. PTC will (hopefully) remain my #1 city regardless what is reported in the media as it will for many thousands of others. Dar’s vision is popular with the greedy and with a select section of young people today. Dar won’t but I see many of those young people maturing and bringing their children into my neighborhood. The key is they have children they love and want space for them to roam – not concrete to climb and asphalt to play on.

    Rumors of our demise are, well, developer’s hype and bologna.

  2. “Once-hot Peachtree City has cooled following the Wilksmoor Village construction on the city’s northwest side.”

    That’s just fine. PTC is a great place to live and raise a family in my opinion — and without being “an economic hotspot for developers.”

  3. Thank goodness for Sheriff Babb. I don’t think people have problems with development. What they have issues with is what is being developed. How many trees do you cut down for fast food, storage facilities, tire and oil change buildings? The mayor spouts about building for families. but where are the places for families to be entertained..oh that’s right Peachtree City and Newnan. Putting a park in front of a bar is not family entertainment. If people who moved to Fayetteville wanted to live in Riverdale thats where they would of moved. Money could be saved by combining governments, people already call us Fayettdale because that is what we have become an extension of Riverdale thanks to our illustrious leaders. Maybe a change is needed in local government. The buzz word about climate change, yet you cut down millions of trees for a data center, town houses, gas stations, car lots. But oh we’re gonna use solar panels! What a joke.

  4. City Growth and Development is inevitable. It is what it is. If anyone was naïve enough to think Fayetteville was going to remain like the fictious city of Mayberry, RFD and its residents (i.e. Andy Griffith, Barney Fife, Gomer Pyle, Opie, Aunt B and Floyd the Barber) well that shipped sailed years ago. NEWS FLASH: It isn’t coming back folks. So for all the “griping and complaining” that is about to flood this “click bait column” that is not going to change the fact. The growth of our city (and surrounding counties) has been managed about as well as can be expected and it certainly can be improved upon. The bottom line is this for me: the infrastructure is still here for education, health, social justice, solid waste, markets, street pavements improvements, health care, and public safety are still obtainable and manageable, all of which makes for a great city. IMO. With our outstanding Sherriff Babb in place, and a Mayor and City Manager ‘who both gets it’ all doing their best to balance this managed growth for the betterment of its current and future citizens, Fayette can and will remain a HOTSPOT for not just “Developers” but for families (young and old) as well. If that were not the case, then none of this would be happening. Sure, it hasn’t been perfect, there have been bumps and growing pains along the way to deal with but what city hasn’t? What was once cow pastures and manure has led to the “Road to Nowhere” which became Trilith Studios and Town and Trilith and all the jobs and prereferral aspects of what those jobs/folks bring forth. The forth coming argument that is surely about to hit this column that Fayetteville/Fayette County will become another Riverdale, Clayton County, Jonesboro, Atlanta, etc is a tired argument and simply is not the case for the most part. As long as we have a Sherriff like Babb and Responsible leaders and engaged citizens willing to be open and participate in the process we will be just fine….which is why I chose to stay and have been here since 2004