Protest organizer Linda Brady said she and her neighbors had one objective.
"And that is to draw attention to the fact that a commercial driveway on our residential street Lake Ranch Drive is a safety hazard," said Brady.
Brady said there are 156 homes on eight streets in Lake Ranch Estates and the only access to those homes is Lake Ranch Drive. Brady said it's not the store that bothers residents.
"We totally expect commercial development to come down this four-lane highway...Dawsonville Highway," said Brady.
The issue, she said, is the entrance to the proposed store on Lake Ranch Drive. There is a blind curve just beyond the proposed entrance and delivery trucks coming in and out of a retail establishment would be a problem, according to Brady.
Other protesters agreed.
"This particular piece of property where they're wanting to rezone it commercial is ludicrous to me," said Lynneve Ramsey.
Ramsey said she has never picketed before, but she believes so strongly that developers are making a mistake, she's willing to step out of her comfort zone.
"I'm going to continue protesting at [age] 72 in the freezing, freezing cold," said Ramsey.
And the protests were expected to continue Saturday morning.
The Hall County Commission is expected to take up the proposed development at its January 26 meeting, and Brady said Lake Ranch Estates residents plan to attend the meeting in full force.
Brady said Commissioner Billy Powell met with residents earlier in the week at Lanier Hills Church and seemed sympathetic to their cause.
Lynneve Ramsey (left) says this is her first protest
Linda Brady (center) has organized the community effort
Protesters stand at the corner of the proposed store site
Lake Ranch Estates homeowners bundle up against the cold to voice their protest to a retail store at Hwy. 53 and Lake Ranch Drive
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/1/244950