Commission approves Residence Inn landscape plan with condition to pursue native-plant substitutions where feasible

Peachtree City’s Planning Commission on Aug. 11 approved the landscape plan for the Residence Inn at 400 World Drive with a condition that the applicant "try as best as possible to replace non‑native species with like/native species if available." The approval followed discussion about design intent, native species availability and the project's compliance with canopy requirements.

Staff noted the project’s new impervious-surface area of 39,984 square feet requires a minimum of 120 canopy-inch equivalents and 80 understory inches; the proposed plan provides 126 canopy inches and 84 understory inches and therefore exceeds the minimum. Staff also pointed out that while the trees and shrubs listed are generally well adapted to Georgia's climate, many are not native to the eastern United States.

The applicant’s representative, a landscape architect, confirmed the magnolias proposed for screening are native and said the planting strategy focuses on ornamentals to produce a strong first impression for hotel guests. Commissioners expressed support for the overall design but several asked the applicant to review the plant list and substitute similar native species where doing so would not undermine the design intent, would be available from nurseries, and would perform well in the site soils. Commissioners also acknowledged nursery availability and site constraints can limit substitutions and discussed possible percentages of native substitutions; the approved motion required substitutions only where comparable native options exist.

The motion to approve included the condition to pursue like native-species substitutions where available; the measure passed by voice vote.