FLOWERY BRANCH—An official online petition is out for residents opposing a proposed assisted-living facility in Flowery Branch.
As of noon Monday, the petition had gathered 262 signatures—about halfway to its goal of 500.
On September 8, the Hall County Planning Commission gave unanimous approval for the 158-unit development to Beckel, Inc., which owners said would be for developmentally disabled adults.
The petition says Beckel "has lied about speaking with residents to the council, lied about what type of people would be housed in this facility."
Another concern they raised is how much traffic this would create, since it would be located near Flowery Branch Elementary School.
"Flowery Branch has an ageing (sic) infrastructure and weak sewerage system. This area would be stressed putting so many people in a small area with retaining ponds that will back up to the existing homes, causing more sewer issues, odors and mosquitoes," said the writer of the petition.
A representative for the company, Kelli Salyer, spoke to the Planning Commission at their meeting, and tried to address some of those issues.
She said many of the patients would be people who have Down's Syndrome or Aspberger's Syndrome, most of whom cannot drive, which would not add to the traffic. Furthermore, Salyer said, the residents will not have an increased number of medical emergencies—a complaint often associated with retirement homes.
“It’s basically just helping them to live their lives, and 'assisted-living' is used simply because there’s not a better term for it,” Salyer said at the meeting Tuesday.
Homeowners are also worried about property values.
"We already have homeowners putting their homes up for sale because of this rezoning proposal," it said.
The Hall County Commission will give the matter a final vote.
