Good Growth DeKalb, most well-known for its fight against Walmart in North Decatur, is protesting proposed changes to DeKalb County's zoning code.
The group plans to hold a press conference Tuesday evening before a county hearing on the zoning code. Here's part of a statement the group released Monday:
Among other things, the zoning changes would permit the construction of cell phone towers in residential areas, where they are currently banned. Good Growth DeKalb, which has focused much of its work on stopping the proposed Walmart Supercenter at Suburban Plaza, says the county is pushing for swift acceptance of the new zoning plan but that it has been ill-publicized without enough input from the community. GGD encourages residents to read the plan, attend the forum, and raise questions and concerns.In its statement at the May 28 Board of Commissioners meeting, GGD asserted that “Our experience as citizens is that our county has not listened to us regarding unwanted development. We want to know how this new zoning plan addresses the needs of homeowners and community residents. We seek a balance between neighborhood interests and commercial development. A home is the biggest investment most of us will ever make in our lifetime, whether it’s a $50,000 or a $1,000,000 home. For our homes and neighborhoods and families to be put at risk because of unwanted development is not what we consider good, sustainable growth. We ask, how does this new zoning plan protect the interests of neighborhood residents?”
Good Growth DeKalb is calling for a 90-day moratorium on voting on the new zoning plan, which will affect commercial and residential matters in the county for years to come. The plan can be viewed at http://planningdekalb.net/?page_id=756. Please note, the time listed for the public forum is incorrect; it is presently scheduled for 6:30 p.m., not 5–7 p.m. as shown on the county website.
What do you think of the proposed plan? Tell us in the comments section below.
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