Think you know what the initials “E-R” stand for in real estate zoning restrictions? Think again, if you live in Peachtree City. The zoning commissioners recently tagged that restriction with a new meaning: “Except religion.”

By now you are aware that this letter is related to the Peachtree City United Methodist Church and their planned “city in the woods.”

Within this entire area, bounded by Ga. Highway 54, Robinson, Spear and Ebenezer roads, homes have been built on two- to five-acre estate lots, with all the homeowners cutting just enough timber to construct their homes. The rest is a forest.

Don't believe it? Just take a run over to the zoning office in Fayetteville, and ask them to show you an aerial photo of this area. This means that all estate owners in this area are lovers of nature, and peace and quiet. Lord knows, we have certainly been “penalized” by the tax office for owning estate lots. The unwritten excuse behind these high taxes is, “Well, you chose this way of life, and if you dance, you gotta pay the fiddler.”

Now the situation is changing: Are the tax people gonna give us a break because of decreasing property values?

I propose a T-shirt for all commissioners who voted in favor of the church, with the following logo: Below the center, front and back, in bold letters, put FADE (Falls Adjacent Deaf Ears). Higher up, put a picture of a tree, and next to the tree, put a deer. Next, draw a circle around the tree/deer. And, finally, draw a bold face diagonal line through the tree/deer. The United Methodist Church people should have T-shirts also; they seem to like shirts with logos.

Several years ago, we could sit in our yard on a moonless night and count the stars. Then, along came the eastside shopping center, with Publix and the works. Lights from this parking area confiscated our stars. And we are forced to listen to trucks unloading all hours of the night. And now, with this proposed “church city in the woods,” we can attend Sunday services at home. Except for one thing: I am not Methodist. When I go to church, we close the doors, to keep from disturbing our neighbors.

I don't care to listen to the noise, and put up with the bright lights from this proposed infringement on my privacy. Go find yourself a large open field, and leave the forest alone. Let we who are trying to “save our real estate” get T-shirts, too, with this logo: SORE.

Hugh Buchanan
(Spear Road)
Fayetteville

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