Developers plan to keep sex offenders out of subdivision

<p>A group of developers has a plan to keep sex offenders from buying homes in a new subdivision.</p><p>The developers say they will conduct background checks on prospective buyers and will not sell to anyone who has been convicted of a sex crime.</p><p>Edwin Swords III, one of the developers of the 54-acre community, about 34 miles north of Atlanta, said the plan is not a perfect solution. But he says developers of Iris Park are doing all they can "to create a safe family environment."</p><p>"These offenders are supposed to be registered, but many of them don't, and that's concerning, because it's overwhelmingly difficult to keep up with them," said Christopher Geiger, another of the developers. "We're trying to do what the governments can't do."</p><p>The plan to screen potential homeowners in the development comes as Georgians continue to consider the merits of a tough new sex offender law.</p><p>And the developers' proposal apparently is legal.</p><p>Federal law makes it illegal to refuse to sell or to negotiate the sale of a house because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin. But the federal Fair Housing Act does not protect sex offenders.</p><p>Geiger said he is worried about possible negative reaction to the prohibition but still thinks it is the right thing to do.</p><p>"I have three kids, one of them a 15-year-old daughter, so this is something really close to home for me," he said.</p><p>Canton Mayor Cecil Pruett said he likes the idea of the neighborhood, which he sees as possibly becoming more common. But the effect such neighborhoods could have on the city may not be known for a long time, he said.</p><p>"I've lived long enough to know that every action creates a reaction," Pruett said. "Now whether that reaction is positive or negative, only time will tell."</p>