Atlanta-based Burson & Simpson has a $57-million mixed-use project on its drawing boards in suburban Hiram, GA (Pop. 5,160). Developer Joe Horton envisions his 730-acre gated Governor's Club, planned for 500 homes and 29 acres of retail at the Cobb-Paulding county line, will also pass muster with the county.

Paulding county commissioners review a proposal on sewer rates this week that would permit Cobb County to deliver water to Horton's subdivision while Paulding treats the wastewater at a new plant three miles from Governor's Club. The development is off Cedarcrest Road and west of US 41.

Horton plans to start laying sewer pipe from the development site to the treatment plant in July. An October ground-breaking is tentatively scheduled for the first homes; the 18-hole championship golf course; and a 25,000-sf clubhouse. The developer hopes to lure the Senior PGA tour event to his site in future years.

Burson and Simpson plans 80,000 sf of office; 40,800 sf of retail; 169 condominiums; 158 townhomes; 200 apartments; and a day care center on 68.8 acres in Hiram. The site, which will also offer eight acres of green space, is at US 278 and Paulding Parkway.

The developer estimates the project will create 400 jobs at its construction peak. Retail development is expected to generate 250 jobs. No ground-breaking date has been set, but total build-out is tentatively anticipated in 2007. Hiram city council reviews the developer's rezoning request later this month.

The Coosa Valley Regional Development Center is classifying the Burson and Simpson venture as a development of regional impact, which means the developer will have a small mountain of paperwork to process before the first shovel hits the ground.

Paulding's permanent population has doubled in the past 10 years, ranking seventh among the fastest-growing counties in the United States.