The city annexed the 139 acres, owned by West Point Business Park LLC, in February 2008, but kept it zoned for agricultural use after several area residents and even county planners protested the proposed industrial use zoning.
Developers had tried at least twice previously to get the property at Webb and Gabbettville roads annexed into the city. As a result of the protests, the industrial use request eventually was withdrawn, and the city and developers agreed to keep the property zoned agricultural for one year. That year expired March 11.
This time, a mixed-use development, which could include residential, commercial and light industrial uses, is proposed. City planner Sammy Osborne said this week there’s no proposed plans for the property at the moment.
“They want the rezoning for future use or marketing,” he said.
A public hearing on the proposal will take place at the city’s next planning board meeting at 5 p.m. April 6 at City Hall. City Council eventually will have to sign off on any rezoning.
When the industrial zoning was proposed a year ago, Troup County planner Nancy Seeger sent West Point a letter saying industrial zoning would be “out of character with the surrounding residential neighborhood.” Webb’s Way subdivision is two-tenths of a mile from the property.
West Point itself had proposed conditions that would have had to be met with any industrial project, including limits on noise, dust and smoke. Council also would have had to sign off on the final site plan and any outside lighting and the property would be added to the city’s quality development corridor, meaning buildings would have to be constructed to specific standards.
It is unclear if a mixed-use zoning classification will result in any special conditions being put on the property’s development.
Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.
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