OAKWOOD — The Oakwood City Council gave its final OK Monday night to a zoning change that allows highway businesses as tall as 80 feet.

The city is drawing some interest from hotel chains, said City Planner Larry Sparks.

The passage of the measure also is timely as Buford-based developer Wayne Clark & Associates is seeking rezonings and annexations that would allow them to build a mixed-use development between Interstate 985 and Atlanta Highway.

Wayne Clark officials have said the 21-acre development could attract a hotel six to eight stories tall, along with a big-name retailer and other businesses and restaurants.

The developer plans to run a road through the development, or between Atlanta Highway and Mundy Mill Road.

Company officials talked to the city planning board last month about seeking a 100-foot maximum height as an exception to the city’s zoning law.

The council held public hearings on both the height increase — the maximum had been 50 feet — and the Wayne Clark development.

No one spoke at the hearings.

City Council approved the Wayne Clark rezonings from residential and highway business categories to planned commercial development and gave its first OK to annexing property for the development. A final vote will come later.

In other business, the council:

Approved a beer package and wine package license for Parvez Khutliwala on behalf of Fast Food Mart at 3420 Winder Highway.

Approved an application from Blackshear Place Baptist Church for annexation of five acres on Atlanta Highway for a proposed parking lot expansion.

Approved a contract with accounting firm Hawkins & McNair to conduct a 2008 audit of city finances. The audit is due in June 30.

Approved a contract with public relations/marketing firm Morton, Vardeman & Carlson for consulting services between January and December 2009.