Politics & Government
City Postpones Vote on Family Dollar Rezoning
Because of Family Dollar's new submittal for the rezoning, the vote will have to wait until at least April.
The Norcross City Council tabled a request by Monday because of a new submittal by the company.
In attempts to work with the city and opposing citizens, Family Dollar updated part of its request to rezone a parcel of land at 2570 Beaver Ruin Road and build a store there. The new submittal, which was still in the Planning and Zoning Committee's hands, involves adding adjacent property to the location, which would "satisfy some of the development regulation comments" by City Planner Chris McCrary. McCrary said it has not been submitted to him for review yet.
What's stalling the process even more is that the adjacent property is not within city limits.
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"If that's going to be the subject of design, then annexation needs to happen first," said McCrary. The property owner would have to make a request for the annexation, McCrary added, and that hasn't happened yet. The earliest the council will vote on the rezoning matter is potentially at its April meeting, said McCrary.
Planning and Zoning has already recommended denial once to the company's request to rezone its current O-I (Office-Industrial use) for C-2 (general business use).
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Despite the council's decision, Mayor Bucky Johnson still allowed the community to voice their opinions on the matter.
Jennifer Rogers-Kunda and Arlene Beckles, residents of the Creekside neighborhood on Beaver Ruin, gave a list of concerns on why they're against a Family Dollar in the area. They reiterated that it would only increase traffic incidents near Light Circle, which is already a problem, and rezoning the area for general business doesn't match up to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, which calls for an Educational, Recreational and Arts Activity Center in the area.
"We have plenty of existing vacant commercial property in Norcross. Just drive up Buford Highway and Beaver Ruin," added Rogers-Kunda. "So why are we tearing down a house in the middle of a residential section across the street from a church to put in a Family Dollar? To me, that does not make sense."
Many voiced that there's already a rainfall issue in Light Circle because of a downward slope and a lack of storm sewers, and when construction is added to the mix, it would make things worse.
"As soon as any type of work begins to take place, all runoff is not coming to you, it's coming to us," said Gerry Grimes, who lives on Light Circle. "At the present time, any rainfall that exceeds a half-inch, I have as much as six inches running across my yard."
The council also tackled other agenda items during the meeting. The council voted 4-0 in favor of allowing Lord's Community Church to open a small private school, Tasca Education, at its 100 Pinnacle Way location.
Three properties, located at 5955 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, 3066 Reps Miller Road and 5390 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, were approved for annexation. Another area connecting the Beaver Ruin I-85 exit and nearby Carmax was also approved for annexation.
Restructuring for the Norcross Development Authority was passed, too.
Awards and recognitions were also voiced during the meeting. Chairwoman Charlotte Nash of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners recognized the city for achieving the Gold Green Community Level. Awarded Dec. 7 last year, the city is one of four metro Atlanta cities to receive the certification.
Johnson also presented a proclamation to the family of Nathaniel Brown, a local civil rights advocate who passed Sunday, according to the AJC. Brown was 81.
The council also congratulated local Parks Superintendent Rip Robertson who was recognized by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association for being one of the first 52 Certified Park and Recreation Executives in the country.