Lowe’s deal officially done

By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Staff Writer

City officials finally received Monday what they’ve been waiting for — the building and site plans for the new Lowe’s store.

City engineer Scott Keller said it will take about two weeks to complete the plan review process. Although Keller said the plans have yet to be opened, there appears to be 40 to 50 pages of drawings.

“We are talking about a big site here,” he said.

The plans will also be reviewed by building inspector Brian Blackwell, fire inspector Nathan Ellis and zoning administrator Tony Lavender.

A building permit will be issued once the building and site plans are approved, Keller said.

Plans call for Lowe’s to raze the former Wal-Mart building in Peachtree Marketplace off Floyd Baker Boulevard and construct a 94,000 square-foot store that will include a lumber section and outdoor garden center.

It will take about five months to build the store, which will open in early 2006.

In late February, Cherokee County Council approved an inducement resolution that includes a 6 percent fee-in-lieu for Lowe’s if the company locates here and creates at least 100 jobs.

The tax break translates into a $44,000 savings for Lowe’s over the 20-year fee-in-lieu agreement.

That same week, Gaffney City Council approved a 3-page “memorandum of understanding,” obligating the city to assist the home improvement giant in the disposal of its solid waste.