Wednesday, July 2, 2003
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Wednesday, July 2, 2003 |
County denies convenience store requestBy JOHN
THOMPSON
With nearly 60 concerned residents hanging on their every word, the Fayette County Commission turned down a request Thursday to rezone 5 acres at Banks Road and Ga. Highway 54 for a convenience store. Thomas Fisher, representing Richard and Diana Cates, told the board that numerous builders had written letters saying the tract was not suitable for residential development. Fisher wanted the zoning changed from Agricultural Residential to Commercial Highway to build a convenience store and retail space. "The zoning is not appropriate for the property," Fisher said. But after Fisher's presentation, 57 residents from nearby subdivisions stood in opposition to the proposal. "We urge you to support the existing land use plan. The existing convenience store is more than adequate," said Henry Bryant of the Deer Glen Forest subdivision. Other residents cited traffic congestion at the busy intersection and feared their quality of life would suffer with the addition of a convenience store. Commissioner Linda Wells agreed with the residents and used a colorful example to illustrate her point. Fisher had cited staff reports from the school system and the Sheriff's Department that cited no adverse impact from the location of a convenience store. "A pig farm wouldn't affect the schools either. We don't need to bring a nuisance to the neighborhood," she said. Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham urged the developer and neighbors to work together. "I would not support a convenience store, but I believe there are some other uses for the property," he said. When the vote to deny the zoning was cast, the residents broke into applause and left the chambers victorious.
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