County

Widow feels singled out for bypass condemnation after filing suit

It has been back and forth since October between Fayette County and Tillman Road property owner Charlene Denney over a portion of her land the county wants for right-of-way for Phase 2 of the West Fayetteville Bypass. Now five months later, little has changed to correct the impasse.

Referencing what is essentially a stalemate, the county’s land acquisition agent Diana Hunt on Jan. 30 said she would be recommending that the county initiate legal proceedings to acquire the property. Read More»

Commissioners decide to give each other 5 minutes to talk at meetings' end

Settling a contentious issue among the five-member Fayette County Board of Commissioners, an agreement has been struck to allow each commissioner five minutes at the end of each meeting to speak on any matter he wishes.

The deal was brokered at the onset of Friday’s retreat meeting of the commission, as Commissioner Steve Brown has recently complained he has no avenue to address certain county matters, specifically those that aren’t up for consideration on the commission’s agenda. Read More»

Coweta Commission to hear Hwy. 34 commercial request Feb. 15

The Coweta County Commission will hear a proposal on Feb. 15 that developers hope will result in the rezoning of nearly 30 acres for a commercial development along the north side of Ga. Highway 34 at Hollz Parkway a short distance to the east of Walt Sanders Memorial Drive. The request includes the establishment of a new car dealer on the site.

The proposal by JHP Family Investments, LLC for Jackson Place, will be presented at the Feb. 15 public hearing in the commission chambers. Read More»

Brown’s bypass discussion on County Commission agenda

Fayette County Commissioner Steve Brown will get his wish: a chance to espouse on the West Fayetteville Bypass during a commission meeting.

The topic appears on the “reports” section at the end of the commission’s agenda for its regular meeting Thursday night, which begins at 7 p.m.

At the commission’s Jan. 27 meeting, Chairman Herb Frady refused to let Brown address the bypass during the reports section of the meeting, noting in part that the matter had not been placed on the agenda in time. Read More»

Brown opposes Fairburn’s plan for Hwy. 74-I-85 interchange fixes

One of the biggest choke points for commuters in western Fayette County is the interchange where Ga. Highway 74 meets Interstate 85 in Fairburn a short distance across the county line. Read More»

County balks at funding Crosstown-Parkway roundabout

There are several options under consideration to make improvements to the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Crosstown Road in Peachtree City.

But without a firm one selected by the Peachtree City Council, the Fayette County Commission decided to wait a bit on whether it will fund the project through remaining proceeds from the county’s 2003 transportation sales tax. Read More»

East F’ville Bypass pondered by county

There just might be enough money left from Fayette County’s 2003 Transportation SPLOST to fund right-of-way acquisition for the East Fayetteville Bypass, the county commission was told in a workshop last week.

County Public Works Director Phil Mallon said the right of way cost is projected at $9.2 million but could be substantially lower if the commission decides to use existing roads to avoid the need for a new road segment. Read More»

Fayette Commission retreat has fireworks potential

The annual retreat for the Fayette County Commission will be this Friday and Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day.

The agenda is wide-ranging, including a host of presentations from the finance department, discussions on transportation projects and remaining transportation SPLOST funding, and an update on the county’s Lake McIntosh reservoir project.

Also on the agenda is an update on negotiations between the county and municipalities on a new intergovernmental agreement for operating the emergency 911 center. Read More»

Bypass targets 183-year-old Bowlden family farm

Lifelong Fayette County residents Paul (left) and James Bowlden stand astride the proposed path of the West Fayetteville Bypass, which they say would jeopardize the operation of their cattle farm off Harp Road, maybe the last such family farm in Fayette. The 200 acres have been in their family since 1828. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Brothers fear controversial road will destroy last big cattle farm

For Paul and James Bowlden, Fayette County’s controversial West Bypass means splitting their cattle farm and a large tract of land that has been in their family for 183 years.

Proposed land acquisition plans for a portion of Phase 3 of the West Fayetteville Bypass between Ebenezer Church Road and Harp Road would have the road splitting the Bowlden’s pasture land and potentially prohibiting their cattle from being able to access water and other farm facilities. Read More»

Brown: County Commission votes $1.5 million in off-agenda items

Fayette County Commissioner Steve Brown.

New commissioner slams 3 holdover members for voting on items without any public notice

The Fayette County Commission last year voted on $1.5 million in revenue and spending decisions without listing them on a meeting agenda to notify the public, according to new Fayette County Commissioner Steve Brown.

Beyond failing to keep the public informed, the commission may have violated the state’s Open Meetings law, Brown claims.

Of the more significant assertions from Brown is that the commission spent $579,000 to fund employee “pay for performance” raises at an Oct. 28 meeting without listing them as a separate agenda item. Read More»