Not in My Backyard
The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development has recommended a request to rezone a 6-acre piece of property on Jim Moore Road for the purpose of building a 50-unit personal care home be denied. Will this be another case where the citizens and the staff say, "NO" only to have the planning commissioners and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners say, "YES!!!"?
Well, how do you like the planning department now? Do you see why there is a planning department? Hey! I know, let's put a 50 bed elder hospital right in the middle of our community. How about a 50 bed cancer hospital? How about a 50 bed women's birthing hospital? How about a 50 bed rehab hospital? NOT!
How about learning who the developers are and boycotting their current places of businesses for their brazen attempt to destroy our community of quiet and calm with a BUSINESS for profit~! I am not against profit. I am for business and of course profit. I am against their decision to place a business within our community and think we would be dancing in the streets for joy! We have paid a premium price to live this "lifestyle." We have lost value in our homes from simply waking up one morning to see the real estate market change. We could do nothing about that situation. We can take action on this idea to abuse our home values.
There are four elder hospitals within five miles of Hamilton Mill's front door, none are at capacity. To put a business within the front and back yards of our community is just plain foolishness. There are two properties, right outside of Hamilton, that have already be ZONED for elder hospitals. I do not use the term long term care or old folks home because after having older friends in these necessary care places, I can attest to the coming and goings of; doctors, medical delivery trucks, food delivery trucks, care givers, staff, activity directors, families, visitors, patients, ambulances, and of course the ever present death wagons. I fear for the patients and staff at this place due to the illegal need for drugs in our community. The drug closet would need three locks and keys for safety.
There are two properties right outside of Hamilton that have already be ZONED for elder hospitals. We are an city of 2,200 homes, it does not make sense to make an island of business within an ocean of established homes. With this being an election year, it will not pass. Korom, Hunter, Beaudreau and Oberholtzer would never vote for this unless they want "FOUL" and "ON THE TAKE" shouted from Millside to Lakeview pools. I would however like to talk the developers about the two locations that have already been approved for this type of development. Can't blame a commercial real estate girl for trying!!!
Floyd Akridge
10:46 am on Friday, June 29, 2012
Cynthia...the point you miss is that the citizens are not the only consideration. Property owners have rights as well. That's the real balance. Are you suggesting that just because citizens don't want something that a property owner is handcuffed? Sure...the community has a say...a large one...it's their community. But the property owner isn't stiffled completely because of the community.
That said...this project doesn't seem to make much sense to me either.
Ron McClellan
12:28 am on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wow . . . . I actually agree with you, Floyd! Property owners do have rights as well. Sadly, Mike Beaudeau does in fact believe that that just because some citizens don't want something, that a property owner should be euphemistically (and possibly literally) handcuffed. Mike Beaudreaus "philosophy" isn't particularly consistent, it all seems to hinge on . . .well . . . whatever Mike thinks is best for Mike Beaudreau,s political aspirations. He certainly doesn't hold "liberty" or rights of private American citizens to keep government out of their back yards in very high esteem.
Cynthia Montgomery
11:41 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Floyd, The very reason for zoning is so that areas will see an organized growth. The developers offered to purchase their land when HM was buying up land some 20 years ago. Area land owners knew what was coming and had the decision to stay and play or to take the money and run. They knew they would be surrounded with 2200 homes someday and chose to stay. Now one person's rights against 2200 home owners is being questioned. Zoning a business into the middle of a community is foolish. Zoning a business inside of community is poor planning. Zoning a business inside a community opens up the door for every single one of the 2200 home owners to want the same for themselves. I have a great playroom for my grand children, yet now I want my whole house to be a day care. Another has a three car garage, now he wants his home to be zoned so he can open a automotive garage in his cul-de-sac home. The lady down the street cut her families hair, & if we were to follow the idea that each citizen has the right to do what he will with his land, why can she not open a hair salon at her home. She will buy another home & use her current home as her shop. Get the picture? Understand the issue. Land is zoned for the betterment of ALL. To ask for an island business venture within a sea of homes shows arrogance. They broke one of the major rules of real estate, "Never be the biggest home in a community!"