Who are we?

We are a group of citizens and stakeholders opposed to the rezoning request for the green space property located at 5305 and 5327 West Mountain Street, Stone Mountain, GA on the following grounds.

*We are not associated with any organization or government. We are a group of citizens asking for action from our city council. Be aware that no relationship has been made or maintained between our group and any other.

What is happening?

The property is currently zoned as a Green Space.  A developer has requested that the land be rezoned residential, with plans to purchase it and build 18 new homes starting in the mid-500ks.

We are requesting that the city deny the zoning change. 

 

 

 

 

Concern 1: Infrastructure

The city of Stone Mountain does not currently have adequate storm drainage. There are several mature magnolia trees on the property that soak up a lot of water and mitigate some of the flooding we see in Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall per year, which is higher than the national average. Standing water can be seen all over the city, even after a short shower. Sinkholes are chronic throughout the area. If the greenspace and/or trees are removed the risk of flooding potentially threatens surrounding properties. Due to the grading of this lot, the greenspace is higher than other parts of the town, including our economic core. We are a city prone to flooding, removing the greenspaces, in conjunction with our lack of storm water drains, will exacerbate this problem. Our city is a main thoroughfare connecting Lithonia to main arteries into the city. For a city with such a small population, we have an exorbitant amount of traffic. We worry about whether our schools and roads can accommodate such an increase.

Concern 2: Opportunity Cost

Stone Mountain has the potential to host large, revenue-making events via corporate sponsorship. Currently, the town does not have a centrally located "town green" to accommodate such events. The city does not get revenue from Stone Mountain Park events and several sponsors have chosen to cut ties with Stone Mountain Park citing the confederate monuments as a primary factor. The city of Stone Mountain has suffered from cash flow issues, and we believe that, with proper administrative support, this property could produce jobs and significant revenue for the city. 

Concern 3: Economic Justice

According to the 2021 US Census Bureau data, there were 2,439 households within the city, and an owner-occupied housing unit rate of 48.3%.  The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $137,900.00, and the median household income was $44,716.00. Such a rapid increase will likely have a negative impact on the ability of current residents to remain in their homes: with rising property values come rising taxes. People will be displaced. Low- or fixed-income residents will be disproportionately affected- including people who have already paid off their homes.  

Concern 4: Cultural Identity

This lot is on a hillside and overlooks the city’s downtown and directly faces the granite dome that the city is named after. Our city has struggled with its past and its association with the Confederate memorial on Stone Mountain, but we are not the Confederate Monument, we are a diverse, creative, and inclusive community. This is an opportunity to establish our values as a community, something that is long overdue. Our goal is to preserve this area as a public green space: Freedom Park.  We propose moving the city’s Freedom Bell, which is currently located in the municipal parking lot, to this new, more fitting location, up on the hill. Dr. Martin Luther King called for freedom to ring in “Stone Mountain of Georgia.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recap:

What’s at stake: 

• further complicating infrastructure woes: flooding, potholes, pressure on current utility structures
• displacement of residents via rapid property tax hikes
• missing out on having an event space that generates revenue for the city
• obstructing views of the mountain 
• significantly increasing the financial gap between residents in a dense area (studies show that areas with the largest economic inequality experience crime at higher rates)

 

Our Plan:

Our goal is to preserve this area as a public green space: Freedom Park.  We propose moving the city’s Freedom Bell, which is currently located in the municipal parking lot, to this new, more fitting location, up on the hill. Dr. Martin Luther King called for freedom to ring in “Stone Mountain of Georgia.” Advocating for financial and climate justice for the citizens of Stone Mountain is one way we aim to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. We have a team of dedicated residents working on public outreach contacting relevant corporate and private sponsors to acquire the land from the church so that it can be donated to the city, under the conditions it remains a public space. 

 

How can you help?

• Sign this petition and share it.  
• Contact Stone Mountain's City Manager, Mayor, and City Council Members and tell city hall to HALT rezoning. 

Stone Mountain City Contacts:

Mayor
Dr. Beverly Jones
770-498-8984
mayor@stonemountaincity.org

City Manager
Darnetta Tyus 
770-498-8984 ext. 120
manager@stonemountaincity.org

City Council Members:

Anita Bass - abass@stonemountaincity.org

Mark Marianos - mmarianos@stonemountaincity.org

Ryan Smith -  rsmith@stonemountaincity.org

Gil Freeman - gfreeman@stonemountaincity.org

Shawnette Bryant - sbryant@stonemountaincity.org

Teresa Crowe- tcrowe@stonemountaincity.org

Email Template:

Dear Mayor, City Manager, and Council Members,

I am requesting that you deny the request to rezone the Baptist lawn from green space to residential. The proposed development will cause negative impacts on the surrounding community and the city’s infrastructure.  My neighbors and I want this to remain a greenspace, and we are requesting time to fundraise with the goal of purchasing this land for a municipal park.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Interested in joining our team or fundraising efforts?

Contact us at: savestonemountaingreen@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/67733/3/blogs.lse.ac.uk-How_neighborhood_inequality.pdf

Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority

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https://www.stonemountaincity.org/