On January 19th, 2023 at 7 pm. the city of Bloomingdale is hearing a proposal to rezone two parcels of land from residential to industrial.  The land owners want to build three warehouses on the Walthour Swamp that shares a boundary with the Forest Lakes neighborhood.

See the below map. This map shows the approved Forest Lakes Community plan and how it will bump up to this proposed land, including a parking lot behind each warehouse.

These warehouses are likely to devalue properties within our community that have already been planned and approved by the city of Pooler. We firmly believe that this development will encroach on our rights to quiet enjoyment of our homes, when considering these impacts:

• We are uncertain of the industrial use. The landowners can't say for certain what will be housed there but there is the possibility that hazardous chemicals could be stored there.
• Increased truck traffic, with the potential for oil spills and diesel exhaust impacting our community.
• Displacement of the wildlife that currently resides in the swamp area
• Security and safety issues as there are no fences, and only a 50’ land buffer, that will separate the industrial properties from the Forest Lakes development. 
• In areas where industrial zoning exists it rapidly becomes the only type of new development that occurs.  Citizens do not regularly choose to live near industrial interests and the landowners have no choice but to push for further rezoning. 

The current Bloomingdale Comprehensive Plan shows Walthour Swamp, located immediately behind Forest Lakes, being preserved in its natural state. And we agree that this is the best use of this land for the betterment of our mutual communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to show the Bloomingdale Council your support for preserving our natural spaces and rejecting any development on Walthour Swamp.

We need your help!

1.      Please consider signing this petition to show opposition of this project to the Bloomingdale City Council AND….

2.      Attend the meeting on January 19th at 7pm if you are able. The more people in person, the more the message becomes clear that we DO NOT want this approved. Get there early to grab your spot! 

3.      Share with all neighbors who may not see the Facebook post or this petition. Our goal is to have at least 200 names on this petition and you can help!

Sincerely, 

Concerned Forest Lakes Neighbors