Residents urge action on homelessness, housing and oppose South Lumpkin rezoning

Multiple residents used the public‑comment period to press council on housing and neighborhood concerns. A representative of the Southern Anti‑Racism Network asked the council to stop criminalizing unhoused people, improve public transportation and consider transferring city‑owned land to nonprofits or Habitat for Humanity to create homeownership opportunities.

Jason Patterson, who identified himself as a landowner, said he has maintained a narrow city easement adjacent to his property for 40 years and argued the city may have abandoned its easement by nonuse, citing Georgia Code 44‑9‑6; he also objected to what he described as selective enforcement against private political signs. He urged clearer rules and fair, consistent enforcement.

Oakland Park Neighborhood Association members opposed a pending rezoning (property at 2361 South Lumpkin Road) that would allow an automotive/tire repair business on a 0.31‑acre lot. They said that small lot size and the existing concentration of tire shops on South Lumpkin make the proposal inappropriate for the neighborhood’s long‑term economic and streetscape goals. Deputy City Manager Hodge said the rezoning will appear on first reading Dec. 9 and invited residents to return to speak.

Other public speakers raised ethics concerns about officials contacting citizens’ employers, and civic groups urged the council to adopt transparent complaint and accountability pathways.

Next steps: Residents were directed to testify again at the Dec. 9 first‑reading zoning hearing; council received the public comments.