Wednesday, February 28, 2001
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Wednesday, February 28, 2001 |
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Commission denies cemetery plan By DAVE
HAMRICK
Are there enough cemetery plots in Fayette County to meet the needs of local residents? Not according to Flint River Resources Inc., an Atlanta-based company that asked for a zoning change to allow a new cemetery last week. Fayette County commissioners denied the request for 24.3 acres on Helmer Road in north Fayette after learning that the firm intended to market the cemetery in seven counties. "We have a basic need in the area for the facility," said Jim Crist, representing the company. Fayette's population has grown rapidly, with no new cemeteries being built in years, he said. But C.J. Mowell, owner of the three existing commercial cemeteries, who was attending the commission meeting on another matter, was asked how many spaces are available in current commercial cemeteries, and said there are at least 50,000, with fewer than 300 being used each year. "The difference is the marketing approach," said Crist, adding he thought the 12,600 cemetery plots being planned for the company's cemetery here would be used in about 30 years. When commissioners asked him to elaborate, he said the company planned to market aggressively in seven counties. "I have no interest in bringing in a regional commercial facility," said commission Chairman Greg Dunn. Crist also said that the firm had pitched its idea to local churches, and "We have received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and support," a claim that was hotly contested by residents of the area. Crist presented a letter from Liberty Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Allen Parker, acknowledging that Crist had met with church leaders and expressing support for the cemetery. But commissioners also were presented a letter from Parker saying he knew nothing of the company's plan and didn't support it. In a letter to commissioners this week, Parker said he signed the support letter by mistake. The petition was denied unanimously. But commissioners approved Dean Fryer's request for office zoning for half of a residential lot in the Madelyn Place subdivision on Sumner Road just off Ga. Highway 54. Although the county has denied similar requests to turn subdivision lots into offices, commissioners said this request was different. The lot is next to the Coweta/Fayette EMC office, and isn't suitable for a home, said Fryer. "This will not negatively impact anything that is in place," said Commissioner Linda Wells, pointing out that none of the lots in the subdivision have been purchased as yet. "It's probably going to be the fairest use" of the property. Commission Chairman Greg Dunn disagreed. "This is a residential street. I can envision a time when every one [of the lot owners in the subdivision] come in here and say this should be a doctor's office," said Dunn. "We have precedence to avoid just what we're talking about here." Fryer's plan was approved 4-1.
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