Planning commission approves Adventure Aviation landscape modification after contractor proposes extra row of trees

The Peachtree City Planning Commission voted Aug. 11 to approve a landscape plan modification for Adventure Aviation, 108 International Drive, after staff and the applicant described why previously approved trees were installed at smaller sizes and proposed an alternative planting layout to meet the ordinance’s canopy-inch requirement.

Staff reminded the commission that the project had been approved in January with a double row of evergreen canopy trees specified at 3-inch caliper and 8–10 feet tall. Inspectors later found the trees were installed smaller (about 6 feet tall, roughly a 2-inch caliper). Staff explained the trees sit on a steep slope that would expose a larger root ball if bigger trees were planted now, threatening survival.

The contractor proposed adding a row of trees at the top of the slope — 35 additional 2‑inch‑caliper trees (11 pines and 24 magnolias) — which staff said would supply the missing canopy-inch total without jeopardizing plant survival. Staff also noted a remaining tree-fund contribution tied to the development: $30,700, representing the required payment for 26 canopy trees and 59 understory trees that would not otherwise be planted on site.

The applicant’s representative told the commission the as-built planting was an installation error and the owner is willing to pursue additional screening and to discuss solutions with the adjoining golf course to improve screening. The commission voted to approve the landscape plan modification as submitted; the applicant had not yet called for final inspection at the time of the hearing.