Houston commissioners approve Publix rezoning

The Houston County Commission approved a rezoning Tuesday that will allow a Publix shopping center to be built in Bonaire.

The board approved the rezoning with little discussion. The issue had been tabled at a previous meeting at the request of the developer, Merg Hoffman.

The 10.5-acre tract is at the southeast corner of Ga. 247 and the new section of Ga. 96 that is under construction. The board voted to rezone it from single-family residential to commercial.

After the meeting, Hoffman said there are still hurdles to clear, including the sale of the property and some permitting. He said he expects construction to start early next year and completion is expected in the spring of 2018.

The center will not be as large as the Publix center he built on Ga. 96 at Lake Joy Road. He said he is in discussions with potential tenants but did not name any, although he said some are restaurants.

The issue was tabled at the last meeting after Hoffman said he wanted more information about the county’s expectations for the improvement of Ammons Road. The road runs between Ga. 96 and Ga. 247 and borders the tract on one side.

Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker said after the meeting that the developer will pay for about half the costs of improving the road, which will include widening and adding turn lanes.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Houston commissioners approve Publix rezoning."