Residents oppose zoning industrialization of 175 acres in Newton County

Concerns over industrial zoning dominated the recent Board of Commissioners meeting in Newton County, as residents voiced strong opposition to plans for rezoning approximately 175 acres for industrial use. Local resident Dave Norton raised alarms about the potential transformation of the area into an industrial zone, likening it to the industrial areas of Atlanta. "Is that what we want to become?" he questioned, highlighting the community's apprehension about losing its character.

John Clemens echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the proposal to add three new warehouses near Almond Road, despite existing vacancies in the area. He warned that the development could have detrimental effects on local ecosystems, particularly near a wet weather creek and the Yellow River. "We are slowly but surely becoming very, very industrialized, and I don't like that," Clemens stated, urging the board to reconsider the implications of such growth.

The meeting underscored a growing tension between development and community preservation, as residents called for a more cautious approach to zoning changes. With voices of dissent rising, the board faces mounting pressure to weigh the long-term impacts of industrialization against the desires of current residents. As discussions continue, the future of Newton County's landscape hangs in the balance.