The other morning, my daughter and I were driving to camp when she looked out the window and said, "Mom, it looks like the Lorax here. It makes me sad. Why are they cutting all these trees down?" And honestly, I agree.

Woodstock is being flattened—tree by tree, lot by lot—to make room for more development. Does the city know when to stop? At this rate, we’re headed toward a future where trees and green spaces are few and far between. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s unnecessary. There needs to be a pause—a real pause—on developments that don’t serve the community's best interest.

One such project is the proposed Publix shopping center in downtown Woodstock, and we, the undersigned residents, business owners, and concerned citizens, are calling on city officials to stop it, or move it elsewhere. 

This project would:

Destroy Precious Green Space – One of the few remaining natural areas in downtown Woodstock is at risk. This development would eliminate trees, wildlife habitats, and peaceful areas that our community treasures.

Worsen Traffic Congestion – Downtown traffic is already a challenge, especially near the I-575 exit. A high-traffic commercial center will add even more congestion and delays for local residents.

Over-Saturate the Grocery Market – There are already 15 grocery stores within a 5-mile radius, including 3 Publix locations. Adding another is excessive, redundant, and directly harmful to smaller, local markets.

Strip Away Woodstock’s Unique Charm – Development is outpacing sustainability. Every time a wooded area is cleared for another shopping center, we lose the small-town charm, character, and natural beauty that brought so many of us here.

We are not against thoughtful, responsible growth, but this project does not meet that standard. There are plenty of other areas around Woodstock and the 92 corridor that this would make more sense to locate. 

We urge city leaders and developers to halt the construction of this Publix shopping center and preserve what’s left of Downtown Woodstock’s natural and community-driven spaces.

Let’s take a stand—for our trees, our traffic, our small businesses, and our future.

Let’s protect our town—before we lose what makes it home.