Many years ago, Bentley Lake was a popular fishing spot off of Highway 100 South on the way to Tallapoosa. People would drop a dollar into the box for a donation (the honor system mattered then) and would sometimes stop in to buy tackle or bait from the small store on the property.

After Oglethorpe Power setup natural-gas fueled power generation stations on property next door, the land has basically been left to overgrow and hasn’t been put to use.

The County Commission on Tuesday evening voted to approve a Special Land Use Permit for development on the property, and moving forward the Bentley family has plans to bring the lake back to life for folks coming through who want to grab some flowers and later on who might want to stop in for a night or two to camp.

Jerome Bentley explained to Commissioners during their March 5 work session that there are plans in the works for the property should they give their approval to the Special Land Use Permit, the first being a You-Pick Flower event space. They plan to install raised beds and plant flowers for visitors to Bentley Lake to pick for a fee and take home.

A second and third phase of development in the further down the road includes plans to build cabins around the lake for overnight guests to rent out, and Recreational Vehicle parking pads to give drive-in campers a place to stay as well.

Neither of those plans are expected to start anytime soon, Bentley said.

Commissioners did have their concerns about the project. Ray Carter sought to have a requirement that if driveway access is ever provided from Sewell Creek Road on the northern boundary of the land and is within 250 feet of the turn onto Highway 100 South the Bentley family would have to make road improvements on their own dime.

Later that requirement was pulled by Carter after it was made clear entrances to the property will have to come off of Highway 100 South due to easements on the property for the power plant next door. Jerome Bentley explained that gas lines underground and high voltage power lines on towers above ground prevent him from creating an entrance or exit on any portion of the property where the easement crosses.

On the map above, those easements that take up a northern stretch to the Sewell Creek plant for Oglethorpe Power across the northern run to Highway 100 South and prevent that access. Carter’s requirement was withdrawn, and Commissioners approved the Special Land Use Permit without issue.

They did have concerns about future RV entry and exit onto Highway 100 South, which is a busy two-lane roadway running from Highway 27 South at the Farmer’s Store in the Cedartown area down to Tallapoosa in Haralson County.

Commissioner Gary Martin noted concerns he had about potential for collisions on the roadway due to commercial and residential traffic.

“It’s a great idea, and I believe its going to be a nice place,” Martin said. But he added that his traffic concerns were a “bump in the road for me.”

New Commissioner Jordan Hubbard noted his concerns with the amendment since he felt it unnecessary since the Georgia Department of Transportation had already given their blessing. Lile also expressed concerns about the traffic flow and vehicles getting in and out, but noted that GDOT had given their approval so was fine with the plan as it stood.

The variance was ultimately required for the property to begin the project because the Bentley family wants to reuse the old tackle shop at the lake for their You-Pick Flower shop. Some remodeling will be needed, but because it remained vacant for many years without any use it fell into the legal requirement to seek the permit. Due to the future use plans, the full project was presented to the Planning and Zoning Board and the County Commission for the Special Land Use Permit.

Planning and Zoning Director Karla Graham did note that there was a single inquiry about the project, but no vocal opposition was made to the future development.