A man looking to rezone a parcel of land along Browns Bridge Road to allow for office space and storage for his demolition and towing company had his request denied by the Hall County Commission Thursday.
Gary Chapman was looking to rezone a nearly one and a half acre tract across from Cumberland Point Drive from Agricultural-Residential III to Highway Business, but several nearby residents said they didn't want to see the property used that way. Seven residents spoke against the request, with most of the concerns being about the traffic and environmental impacts the use would have on the area.
A representative for Chapman told the commission that he wanted the request to be tabled until June 14, but opponents of the request said they wanted an outright denial. The Hall County Planning Commission had recommended denial two weeks prior.
"I believe his business should be in another area," Tom Child, who operates a business that he said is surrounded by Chapman's properties, said. "I just think it should be in a more industrial area. I do not agree with his attorney in tabling this, pushing it to another date. This needs to get addressed. It's a hellhole that I have to look at."
Several raised complaints about Chapman's business practices at the location, claiming he had committed several violations. Chapman did not elect to respond to any of the opposition's comments.
District Two Commissioner Billy Powell, whose district the property lies in, made the motion to deny the request.
"My planning staff has recommended denial and my planning commission has recommended denial," Powell said.
After the meeting, he said the issues the residents brought up, including the traffic impact of large trucks traveling on Browns Bridge Road and making turns in and out of the property was a major concern.
"They made some very good points in that it is a busy, busy corridor," Powell said. "And to throw a slow-moving dumpster truck into that traffic, I just think it creates a danger for the citizens."
Chapman will have the option to re-apply in six months.
