Council gives first thumbs up to new restaurants proposed for development

Ready for a steak dinner and then a sweet treat for dessert? A development announced in January is coming to Rockmart after annexation and change in zoning were approved by the city.

The Rockmart City Council voted on Tuesday night to approve the new developments for Longhorn Steakhouse and Dunkin’ Donuts on the corner of Goodyear Avenue and Nathan Dean Parkway.

Developers announced their proposal to build the two national chains in January at the busy intersection, joining a multi-mile stretch of commercial development along the Nathan Dean Parkway corridor that has increased dramatically since the opening of the Chick-fil-A in 2017.

The vote allows for the developers to bring the O’Leary/Forsyth Road property into the city limits with a commercial zoning, and thus the next steps before construction can begin is to put in building permits and have site plans submitted to the city.

The council did vote the annexation resolution in with some notes from the City Attorney, seeking to ensure that the record included that the county made no objections for the property to become part of the City of Rockmart, it had complied with filing the request in the legal organ, and the property didn’t have to comply with certain Department of Justice requirements.

A public hearing opened the city council meeting on Tuesday evening, but no speakers rose to speak for or against the proposed annexation.

The city’s next request comes in March as they also approved the publication request to seek a PD-1 change for property on Cartersville Highway. The council will have to hold a public hearing at their March 13 session and then get a chance to vote on the forthcoming proposed development plan.