Friday, September 20, 2002
|
Friday, September 20, 2002 |
|
City vetoes more commercial zoning By JOHN
THOMPSON
The Senoia City Council tuned down a commercial rezoning matter, despite hearing how a negative vote could hurt Jesus' work. A packed City Hall watched the City Council discuss a proposal by First Baptist Church of Senoia to sell its 10-acre tract on Ga. Highway 16 to Grover Neece to develop as a pool supply store and other retails shops. The church had bought the tract near Howard Road a few years ago to build its new sanctuary, but decided the site was too small and bought a 20-acre tract on Ga. Highway 85. In order to start on its new church, the church has to sell the tract on Hwy.16 and was seeking the City Council's approval Monday night. City planner Bill Johnston to the City Council of his opposition to the rezoning. "Senoia is a small community. It can only support so much commercial. There's a risk of overbuilding," he said. Johnston also said the future land use map calls for the land to be zoned residential, and adjoining Coweta County does not have a commercial zoning district in the area. But Dennis Drewyer, who represented Neece, said a commercial development would look far better than a residential one. Under the city's current zoning, Drewyer said a residential development would not have to have any buffering, and small 1,500 sq.ft homes could be built on the site. "This development would improve the city's tax base," he added. First Baptist's Ronnie Mitchell said the sale of the land to Neece would help Jesus' work in the community and help the church expand its mission in the city. But Nancy Roy who lives across the street from the property reminded the City Council that years ago, a consulting group recommended that portion of Hwy.16 remain residential. Kevin Kahl, who lives behind the property, summed up his feelings succinctly. "They're just looking for more money for their parishioners. More commercial brings more crime," he said. The City Council agreed with the residents speaking against the proposal and voted it down unanimously.
|
||