Objection to Dri 4640 Project Orchid and any zoning changes or conditional uses being issued.

 

Traffic congestion is becoming a severe issue in our community of Jefferson, Georgia especially at Dry Pond exit 140. With the recent developments of large facilities such as the Aldi Distribution Center, our infrastructure is already feeling the strain. The additional traffic from these projects has resulted in increased journey times, reduced road safety, and a general decline in our quality of life. Many previous documents with the City of Jefferson references issues with exit 140 already. These issues have been going on for many years.

Now, we are faced with yet another zoning request that threatens to exacerbate these issues while the developer has asked to not be required to perform a traffic study. Pattillo wants to increase the number of parking spots from 1 to 3 per 1,000 sq feet of building.  Pattillo is also seeking to change the zoning buffer in a local area from 200 feet to just  50 feet. This variance is being requested along an individuals lot and is 1,750 from a dwelling. Additionally, they are requesting to incorporate metal manufacturing into an area currently zoned as light industrial. This is alarming, not only because metal manufacturing isn't allowed under the current zoning laws but also because it presents an even larger risk of elevating noise pollution, traffic congestion, and environmental impact.

This is not just an anonymous part of the city. These developments are encroaching our residential neighborhoods and agricultural lands. The anticipated influx of up to 2,940 additional vehicles flooding our local roads will create unnecessary burden on our community. We have enough problems managing the traffic flow with existing infrastructure. Allowing such rezoning would ignore the voices of local residents and prioritize industrial interests over community welfare.

We urge the City of Jefferson’s zoning authorities to prioritize the values and needs of our community by rejecting these zoning variance requests. Let's preserve the safety, tranquility, and character of our neighborhoods.

Please sign this petition to stand against the proposed zoning changes and make our voices heard. Together, we can protect our neighborhoods and ensure smarter, more sustainable development policies are adopted.

 

 

These are the current conditions that we request not be changed. Changing Conditions would be in direct conflict with the Land Use Management Code for the City of Jefferson, GA. 

 

December 10th, 2007

Minutes of the City Council Voting Session, December 10, 2007 at The Jefferson Civic Center

 

4) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

A. Annexation:

Motion by Thompson, second by Kinney, vote 4-1 to approve (Griffith

voting to deny) annexation request by Gwinnett Industries (B.R.

Litchfield) for 86.44 acres (Map 065/Parcel 005) located at Hwy. 82 Spur

for the purpose of light industrial. The proposed development on the

property in question comprises 158.71 acres and with the agreed upon

condition, of 35% impervious coverage, the development on the property

is limited to only 55.55 acres. This limited coverage within the Curry

Creek Watershed results in a much greater protection of the watershed

than if the property were not annexed and not under this restrictive

agreement. Agreed upon conditions exceed LUMC requirements and the

property owner still has to abide by all state stream buffer requirements.

The current owner, who is an investor, will be limited to working with the

conditions imposed as a condition of rezoning even if the property is sold.

If the conditions limiting the percentage coverage and adding additional buffers on existing residential property are not secured at this time by the City then the potential for development with increased negative impacts remains a possibility. 

 In addition, the improvements outlined in the

Jefferson Road Improvement Bond Project, anticipated further expansion

of the industrial tax base along this portion of Jett Roberts Road.

 

Same document as above

 

Rezoning Request

1 . Motion by Thompson, second by Kinney, vote 4-1 to approve

(Griffith voting to deny) rezoning b y Gwinnett Industries, Inc. of

property (72.27 acres and 86.44 acres) located a t 90 W.G. Legg

Road and Raford Wilson Road from A-2 (Jackson County) t o LI

(City) for the purpose o f a light industrial park (Tax Map/Parcel

065/005) with the following conditions:

1. The applicant will observe a 200' wide natural undisturbed

buffer along residentially zoned properties in Jackson County and

a 250' wide undisturbed buffer along residential properties located

on the Southern border of the site in the City of Jefferson.

Furthermore, applicant will enhance buffers as needed with

additional vegetation to screen adjacent properties from noise and

light.

2. All lights within project will be directed away from adjacent

sites.

3. Applicant will limit the amount of impervious surface on the site

to 35% of the total land area.

4 . Applicant will provide access to the project from Jett Roberts

Road. There shall be no access to the subject property from Legg

Road or Raford Wilson Road.

5. Applicant will submit a traffic study for the proposed

development prior to obtaining a development permit.

6. Prior to obtaining a development permit, owner will pay the City

of Jefferson a road improvement contribution in the amount of

$295,284.

7. Applicant will maintain an open dialogue with adjacent property

owners, considering and implementing their ideas regarding future

development when readily achievable.

8. Applicant will agree t o prohibit the following uses as a condition

of zoning:

 

A . Single Family Residential

B. Cemetery

C. Church, temple, or other place of worship.

D. Riding Academy

E . Exterminator, pest control or disinfecting service.

F. Fairgrounds

G. Funeral Home, mortuary or mausoleum

H. Health Spa

I. Kennel

J. Self Storage Facility (mini warehouses)

K. Taxi Cab or Limousine Services

L . Truck Stop

M. Borrow Site

N. Dry Cleaning Plant

O. Fuel Oil Distributor

P. Petroleum Recycling

Q . Salvage Yard

R . Wrecked Motor Vehicle Compound