I to believe that we need to help guide the pace of rapid residential growth in our County ....but I believe that we should do so by implementing QUALITY STANDARDS, MINIMUM SQ. FOOTAGE HOME REQUIREMENTS IN ZONES along with the key to any proposal, PERFORMANCE ZONING.
The current plan that has been written by Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Cole of the Commission will have unintended consequences of rapidly slowing our local Hall County economy in which every resident depends during a time when our economy is sluggish at best. It is clear to me that several of our commissioners were elected with a "slow the growth" platform which is fine and they should stick to the ideals that they represented when elected. However, the one acre minimum being proposed is dangerous to the economic vitality of our community.
Hundreds of local citizens have attended several meetings over the past few weeks to voice their opposition. (In fact, at the two meetings I attended, there was not ONE person at either to speak in favor of a one acre minimum lot size. ) Each and every citizen there suggested to the Commission to slow down, don't experiment, which suggested overwhelmingly that the one acre minimum direction is flawed.
The Commission should take its time and consider waiting before adopting any large scale zoning change until the comprehensive plan (being written by our paid consultants under the Commissioners guidance )is adopted. This will allow all the citizens of Hall County a say in the process, providing a clear development map for our future. A vote to implement a 1 acre minimum lot size in an effort to slow growth does nothing to help our tax base or to help guarantee QUALITY in Hall County. It is a band -aid to a larger problem,which is how to mandate quality and sustainability in Hall County so that the taxpayer does not have to pay for development.
I hope that the Hall County Commissioners will reconsider their direction and look for a more palatable answer to directing residential growth. This is not the time to experiment. If the County Commission will support higher housing standards, performance zoning with amenities such as sidewalks, tennis courts, bike trails, golf courses, local schools that you can walk to, etc....the Commission will have a larger impact on Hall Counties future than if they use a Band - Aid called a one acre lot size. The Commission should quickly craft a quality oriented zoning code centered on assuring quality housing with a "family community focus". Then the Commission will gain mass support, assuring community consensus. Wouldn't that be nice.
Sincerely,
Brent Hoffman
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Brent Hoffman
Prudential Georgia Realty
Commercial Real Estate Services
770-533-6721
770-287-7494 Fax
Email: [email protected]
For Up to Date Property Information and Color Aerial Photos on Available Properties
http://www.BrentHoffman.com
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/4/179868