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Residents urge commissioners to slow rezonings, citing traffic, infrastructure and housing quality concerns
Summary
During public comment at the Feb. 9 Whitfield County meeting, residents asked commissioners to consider infrastructure and safety before approving nearby rezones and warned that rapid, dense development threatens farmland, wildlife and local roads.
Three residents told the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 9 they want the board to take a broader view when considering rezonings and development proposals.
A speaker who identified herself as McKenzie of 1075 Durham Street said she had planned to speak about specific rezonings but learned several had already been approved. She asked how planning-commission members are selected and held accountable, urged commissioners to consider roads, schools and environmental impacts before approving subdivisions, and said she lives on a curvy road (Rauschenberg Road) where additional driveways create safety concerns.
Todd Harrison (2128 Chatham), who works for the local hospital system and serves on chamber-related housing efforts, told the board the county lacks housing at multiple price points, which forces workers to live outside Whitfield County. He urged coordinated efforts to produce housing that will allow employers to retain staff.
Kelly Eacker (3264 Lake Cathy Road) said several rezoning notices near her 15-acre property could “box” her in, expressed concern about the quality of recently built rentals and about traffic and fatalities at a nearby intersection (which she said is a state-maintained issue), and warned that underground water and retention-pond approaches may not solve longer-term groundwater impacts.
Quote: "We need to take careful consideration to these developments ... we have to preserve some of our farmland," McKenzie said.
Context and follow-up: The board approved a rezoning (Melody Hamentry to R-3) in the meeting with conditions described by Commissioner Robbins and with Commissioner Thomas recused on that item. Commissioners also postponed a separate THB Development Group item at the requester’s request. Several residents asked for more comprehensive review when multiple rezoning requests appear in the same area.
