Dear Commissioners,
I am a nearby resident of the rezoning case, RZR2018-00028 on Bold Springs Rd. I am writing to you now to ask that you deny or significantly limit the rezoning proposed by the developer.
Our corner of Gwinnett is still predominantly rural, although neighborhoods have been built and the frequency of rezoning cases has steadily increased. Our roads, our schools, and other infrastructure in this area is inadequate to the demands of so many new neighborhoods, especially the more recent high density proposals with many homes crowded onto small lots.
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As members of Rural Gwinnett, we are not opposed to progress and we respect the rights of the property owner to develop their land. However, we ask that the growth in the area be limited to what is manageable for our current infrastructure while allowing time for growth and improvement.
We also ask that if any rezoning requests must be approved, that they be approved with maximum lot sizes in order to serve as a continuation of our rural roots. We want to see rural estate homes with large lots to attract residents with a respect and appreciation for the great outdoors and the beauty of our rural community.
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This year alone, there have already been multiple rezoning proposals approved with about 500 homes approved within 2-3 miles of this proposed development since January. This is in addition to continued construction in at least 4 other neighborhoods within that same radius. It is simply too much, too soon.
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Our quiet community has been targeted more and more frequently by criminals breaking into homes, stealing cars, and burglarizing cars, sheds, and garages. Statistically, overcrowding brings more of these activities and will further jeopardize our sense of security in our own homes. Our schools are also facing the burdens of overcrowding well in advance of the rezonings already approved for additional homes. Our schools are all over capacity and more classes are being moved to trailers each year.
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We need another middle school, another police department, and another fire station in our community, not another neighborhood.
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Sincerely,
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Laura Walsh
#RuralGwinnett
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Dear Commissioners,
As the planning commission hearing on May 1st draws near and case RZR2018-00004 comes up for a vote once more, I want to touch on the arguments made over these last 2 months and make a final plea for denial.
The short version, please deny case RZR2018-00004 as an incompatible land use for the Rural Character Area. This proposed development is incongruent with surrounding residences and land uses. For any rezoning approved on this property, please deny sewer access in order to reduce density and reduce Gwinnett’s sewer maintenance expenses.
The 2030 Unified Plan designates this section of Gwinnett as Rural Character Area, and calls it the Rural Estate Sector. According to the plan, the purpose of this characterization is to preserve and protect the rural historical roots of Gwinnett County, to offer a variety of housing options, and to reduce the costs associated with sewer line connections and maintenance. Our area allows the establishment of farms and homesteads where regular working families can grow their own vegetables, raise chickens, and keep horses. These Rural Estates along Indian Shoals Rd. epitomize the intent of the 2030 Plan’s characterization with the Rural Estate housing option, the continuance of rural traditions, and the use of septic systems.
We are concerned about the overdevelopment of land and the loss of trees in our area, but we do understand that we have no control over the trees on someone else’s property. What we ask, is that the development of this property be Rural Estate homes that will offer large enough lots to attract residents who will value the land.
We understand that overcrowding of schools, traffic, emergency personnel, and crime rates are not sufficient cause for denial of a rezoning request. However, we do ask that you consider that there are areas more suitable and more prepared for a development of this magnitude within the mixed use areas. Growth and development of our Rural Character area may be inevitable, but we ask that you emphasize the implementation of infrastructure improvements before allowing high density developments to exponentially increase the current shortcomings of our area.
In the 2030 Unified Plan, it states that restricting sewer access within the rural areas may be necessary to preserving the Rural Character Areas by reducing density of developments. We ask that any zoning changes to this parcel include a modification to deny sewer access, thus reducing the density that the current residents are fighting against while also saving the county on additional sewer maintenance expenses.
OSC zoning that incentivizes small lot sizes in favor of recreation space is not appropriate land use for the rural character areas where land use is intended for traditional rural farming, grazing, and gardening. The minimum 7500 square ft lot sizes most recently proposed are not congruent with the lot sizes surrounding the proposed development where the minimum lot sizes are over ½ acre and adjacent properties are on 6-12 acres.
We greatly appreciate the amount of time and consideration that has been given to this case and we hope that you will vote in favor of rural preservation and the interests of the many concerned residents of our community. Thank you for taking our concerns into account and we pray that you will make the best possible decision.
Best Regards,
Laura Walsh
#RuralGwinnett
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