A resident’s request to purchase a small amount of greenbelt to improve his backyard was denied by the Peachtree City Council Thursday night.
Although Councilman Eric Imker was open to the request, the remainder of council agreed that the matter would set a precedent.
Ming Lu, who lives at 706 Bostonian Trace in the Centennial subdivision, wanted to be able to create a slightly larger back yard for his children to play in and also extend his deck while adding a covered, screened porch to the deck.
Part of Lu’s case was supported by the fact that the home next to him was allowed to be re-platted prior to it being sold by John Wieland Homes. The new plat eliminated part of the proposed greenspace on that lot, and Lu was asking to “even up” with that change.
The difference is that Lu’s parcel is already platted.
Lu’s next door neighbor objected to the request because he was afraid Lu would cut down trees that screen his property as well.
Lu said another reason he wanted the property is so he could cut back some of the bamboo and trees that are extending from the greenbelt onto his property. City staff will work with Lu to allow him to trim both the bamboo and the trees from where they extend onto his property.
“Anything that’s growing over onto his property can be trimmed up at the property line,” said City Planner David Rast.
Imker argued that Lu wanted to improve his lot, and the problem he was encountering was no fault of his own. However, as Councilwoman Kim Learnard noted, property owners understand the limitations of their parcels.