Wednesday, September 12, 2001
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 |
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Williams: Cemetery won't be a problem
By JOHN
THOMPSON
Williams Inc. officials said Thursday they will do everything possible to make sure a cemetery on the site of a proposed power plant on the south Fulton/north Fayette border is protected. Williams spokesman Paula Hall-Collins said the company is clear in making sure the family's interests are protected. "It's our intent to try and not touch the cemetery. In fact, we plan to give it a face-lift, since it's in such disrepair," she said. Collins said the company is looking at all options, including moving the footprint of the building, to make sure that all interests, including the cemetery's, are considered. A storm of protest has surrounded the company's plans for a 1,230-acre, gas-fired power plant on 288 acres on Peters Road between Ga. highways 92 and 138. The firm has delayed its request for a change in zoning to a heavy industrial category, to provide more time for dialogue with residents. Hall-Collins said the company is currently getting together studies that she plans to have ready by the end of this month that will address residents' concerns, such as visibility and environmental impact. Last week, leaders at Christian City, the well-known retirement/children's home next door to the proposed plant site, approved a formal resolution opposing the power plant, but Collins said Williams will meet with Christian City after all the company's research is completed. "We want everybody to have a say in this. We'll listen to their experts and we'll also present ours," she said. As for the cemetery, Collins said the company has known about it since it first placed an option on the property. Williams has been in contact with descendents and plans to make every effort not to disturb the graves, she said. Opponents of the plant, including Fayette County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn, are hoping the presence of the cemetery and a 50-year covenant directing that it never be moved will stop development of the plant. Wetlands may make it difficult for the company to move the plant itself, Dunn said last week. Meanwhile, Union City Mayor Ralph Moore had a press conference last week and asked Williams to rescind its zoning requests. Part of the plant site is in Union City, so both Fulton County and the city must approve the zoning if the project is to go forward. Moore said he could not comment specifically on the power company's zoning request, but asked Williams to consider other issues besides a great location. He asked the company to focus on the residents and assume corporate responsibility in listening to the citizens' requests.
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