North American Properties
recently gave a presentation to the Town Board about building a complex called
Chili Commons in the 700 block of Paul Road.
The complex would be a
345,000-square-foot facility featuring two big-box stores, smaller commercial
businesses and possibly restaurants and banks.
Chili's Planning Board tabled
a request last year that would have rezoned the area on Paul Road from planned
neighborhood and residential to general business until after the current master
plan committee finishes its work.
Neighbors gathered 300
signatures against the rezoning, citing concerns about traffic, infrastructure
and flooding that could occur from Little Beaver Creek.
"We need to hear from the
town supervisor if this is something that she is interested in," said Michael
Slattery, a Town Board member.
Other board members agreed.
"There is a misconception in
the community that this is going to happen. What should we tell them when they
ask if you support the idea?" said Mary Sperr, Town Board member.
Town Supervisor Tracy Logel
said board members should tell the public their personal opinions and shouldn't
bother answering for her.
"I have to be open to hearing from both sides. I am open one way or the other,"
said Logel, who still wouldn't reveal which way she's leaning on the new
construction.
North American Properties met
with Logel in October to discuss the project. At a Town Board meeting Wednesday,
Jeff Pape, director of development for North American Properties in Georgia,
said he wasn't at the meeting to ask for anything.
"We just wanted to give the
board the same consideration we gave the town citizens when we held a public
forum," he said, referring to a Town Hall forum on March 23.
Slattery said
he appreciated the courtesy but didn't agree with making a presentation now,
telling the real estate officials "you may have to do this presentation again at
a later date."
"The master
plan committee is still reviewing things," said Slattery. "We don't want to sway
the public into thinking we are leaning one way or the other on the project. I
want to tell the town and town supervisor that this is not a done deal."
|
What is at stake: Full disclosure of the town's supervisor's view.
Town Board members want Tracy Logel to definitively state her stance
on a proposed 53-acre shopping complex on Paul Road. |
Ernst Lamothe Jr.
Staff writer
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