Strong emotions resulted in an abrupt ending to a regular Blue Ridge City Council meeting Tuesday, May 11, following a rezoning, annexation and variance vote for an affordable housing development, which ultimately did not pass.
Despite tear-filled pleas from local, charitable organizations, business owners and residents alike, the council voted 3-2, with Mayor Donna Whitener breaking the tie in opposition, to deny the application of Philip Searles, president of the Beverly J. Searles Foundation.
Council members Nathan Fitts and Harold Herndon voted in favor of the proposition, while Mike Panter and Robbie Cornelius, who arrived tardy, opposed. Councilwoman Rhonda Haight recused herself from the vote due to vested interest in the development.
Reasons for opposition stemmed from “not enough research” and traffic concerns.
Three neighbors spoke against the applicant, while seven others spoke in favor.
Stories of individuals and families living in vehicles, campers, tractor trailers and tents were told and explained to be a result of the lack of affordable housing in the area.
Business owners explained that they are short staffed partially due to the lack of housing.
Addressing concerns, Searles offered $40,000 to Fannin County to alleviate a potential traffic burden on Mineral Springs Road and the Aska Road intersection.
Additionally, Searles offered to incorporate a tag reader at the entrance of the proposed
development, which would notify the police immediately of anyone with warrants.
Those with felony convictions would not be allowed to occupy units nor anyone with specific drug charges.
Panter expressed concern that the local population may not benefit from the development to which Searles explained that since the development would be bound by government restrictions, he cannot discriminate against applicants, but would only advertise the property in Fannin County.
Whitener referenced an instance from the Hurricane Katrina era in which individuals were placed in homes across the country.
Searles and Blue Ridge Housing Authority Manager Traver Aiken assured that if a natural disaster were to occur, current occupants wouldn’t be removed nor would those affected by a natural disaster be able to jump ahead if there were a waiting list.
Other residents’ concerns included the capability of the police department to police the apartments, and sewer system capability.
Haight referenced an April 22 meeting in which Carter & Sloope Engineer Matt Smith said that the sewer system would not reach capacity in this lifetime.
The development would have been funded through tax credit programs; however, the application deadline is May 21. If the applications were not granted, the project would not have moved forward anyway.
Although the requests were applied for by Searles, the three parcels located between 300 and 458 Mineral Springs Road are owned by Haight House, LLC.
Searles requested that since he is not the owner, the council approve the applications with the condition that the changes only be applicable to his development.
Searles had asked for the annexation of 1.2 acres into the city limits with an R3 (High-Density Residential) zoning.
Searles had also asked for the neighboring parcel, which is in city limits, to be rezoned from R2 (Medium-Density Residential) to R3, and a variance to reduce the required amount of parking spaces from two to one as well as increase density from 10 units per acre to 12.
The development would have consisted of two phases with the first for individuals and families, and the second for seniors over 55.
In total, there would’ve been 171 units of affordable housing for the community with fixed prices beginning at $603 a month for a one bedroom and one bath apartment and up to $900 for a four bedroom and two bath.
The current, 50-year-old housing authority would have been abandoned, and residents would have been moved to the new development.
Those with vouchers would receive a lower rate, and those who currently live in the housing authority and pay less than the fixed rates would pay what they currently do.
The planning commission had voted May 4 to recommend the approval of the requests as long as the utilities were upgraded, a traffic study was conducted and traffic improved however necessary, a landscape buffer be incorporated and that all emergency services and schools agree it would not be a burden. This assurance would have been required prior to the issuing of a Land Disturbance Permit.
After Panter suggested tabling action, Fitts moved to approve the requests with the condition that it only apply to the specific proposal as well as with the planning commission’s recommendations.
Following the vote and attempting to move forward, Whitener addressed Georgia Municipal Association training and claimed that Fitts has yet to receive his despite the one-year time frame from being elected.
Fitts refuted Whitener’s claim, and after disagreements, the meeting was adjourned with a motion from Haight.