Alpharetta Wants to Make Plans for Vacant Auto Dealerships, Big Box Retail Stores

Alpharetta wants to know what the best uses for several vacant auto dealerships and big box retail buildings such as the former Home Depot Expo Design Center, so the city will ask the Atlanta Regional Commission for help figuring that out.

Amanda Day, the city's grants administrator, said the 2011 Community Choices Implementation Assistance program isn't a grant, but is a program in which ARC staff works with city staff.

"Basically they offer free staff time to work on any initiative a city would like to take on that involves quality growth," Day said.

The ARC staff will help evaluate these properties and help determine an appropriate reuse for the sites in deference to zoning, land use, transportation, open space and other quality growth issues, Day's report to the council stated.

In 2008 Alpharetta received the assistance to help figure out how to make Alpharetta more of a lifelong city.

Day said in its latest proposal, the city's initial idea mentioned vacant car lots. But after speaking to Community Development Director Diana Wheeler and some of her staff, other big box retail sites were considered, such as the former Home Depot Expo site off Mansell Road next to Sam's Club.

Day said those sites have great parking and great buildings that are in wonderful shape, but that they may not be used for the same purposes in the future. She said car dealerships aren't carrying as much inventory and don't need all the parking that the former Saturn and Ford dealerships off GA 9 have.

The City Council approved making the request for the program 6-0. Councilman Doug Derito was absent, and Councilwoman Cheryl Oakes made her vote via teleconference as she recovers from surgery.