Council grants dock permit after review of historic lake easement at 1117 Hip Pocket Road

Peachtree City council approved issuance of a dock permit for 1117 Hip Pocket Road after hearing from staff, neighbors and the lot owner about historic deed language and long‑standing practice in the area.

City attorney and staff had reviewed the property’s records and concluded the documents were ambiguous about a specific dock entitlement; staff initially denied the permit because the land at issue is city‑owned shoreline and the council must authorize structures on city property. At the meeting, Ted Meeker, a city attorney, said staff determined the matter should come before council because "this is city property, and I didn't feel like it was staff's right to say okay to putting something on city property. That's a council decision, which was why the permit was denied." The denial set up the appeal hearing that council resolved in favor of the applicant.

Applicant and longtime property owner William Nelson told the council the parcel and surrounding lots carry unusual and old conveyances from the property’s early development. Nelson said his family has owned the property for decades and that an outstanding dock permit could materially affect the property’s marketability and value. He described a history of neighborhood practice in which seven of the eight lots in the common area had built docks; Nelson’s lot was the only one without a dock. "We purchased this property 57 years ago," Nelson said. "We paid our taxes. We love it. We've seen the whole process go."

Neighbors and the Lake Peachtree Association provided letters supporting issuance. After council discussion that noted the unique deed language and the long‑standing use by adjacent lots, a council member moved to approve issuance of the dock permit and the motion carried unanimously.

Staff will record the council action in the permit file and proceed with standard inspections and permitting conditions applied to shore‑side structures.