A developer withdrew rezoning requests Tuesday for a drive-through restaurant and a convenience store in Bogart after residents expressed their opposition to the projects.
The developments would bring traffic—a hazard to neighborhood children—and crime, said residents of Rockwood Boulevard, a mostly-unfinished subdivision near the intersection of Atlanta Highway and U.S. Highway 78. “It’s very unsafe,” said Paul Nelson. When they moved in, they thought they were protected by a land use plan that designated the lots residential, they said.
Attorney Jim Warnes withdrew the applications after listening to neighbors’ comments and speaking with commissioners.
Officials are expecting a surge in development related to the Caterpillar plant on the mostly commercial and industrial Atlanta Highway corridor, but it should be compatible with single-family neighborhoods if it’s near them, Athens-Clarke commissioners said. A daycare would be ideal, Commissioner Ed Robinson said. “If you’re asking us to upgrade the property, you need to be giving some value back to the community,” he said.
The commission also approved a sculpture for the Classic Center expansion and parking rules for county-owned lots like the downtown Public Utilities building, where drivers have been abusing the lack of restrictions by parking free when they’re not conducting business at that office.
And commissioners paid tribute to Deputy Manager Bob Snipes, who is retiring this month after 39 years working for the local government. They praised his problem-solving and negotiating skills. “Bob has been the go-to person when everything else has failed,” Commissioner Kathy Hoard said.
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