VALDOSTA — A room full of concerned citizens were present at the Valdosta City Council meeting Thursday, many of whom approached the council regarding issues of rezoning a residence into an office and the Gateway Corridors.

The request by John Bennett to rezone 2.11 acres of residential property for an office park, located at 2502 N. Oak St., was the hot topic during the meeting.

Most of the citizens were for Bennett’s proposal, but wanted to make sure he followed specific conditions voted on by the planning commission.

“I am not anti development,” Pope Langdale of Valdosta said. “I am not one of those people who stands up here and says I’m against it because he’s a neighbor. The applicant will not agree to build what he says he’s going to build ... If you’re going to build what you say you’re going to build, I’m fine with it.”

Citizens said they wanted Bennett to build a fence around the northern and western perimeters of the property and were against two-story buildings that would look down on other neighbors.

Leigh Touchton of Valdosta was against the rezoning completely because it affects the environment and historic aspects of Valdosta.

Councilman Robert Yost, District 6, spoke against the request.

“I’m not against business,” he said. “There’s an appropriate place for business to go, in the middle of the hedge (of a residence) is not the place to go ... (You’re) setting a future of precedence for growth ... There’s got to be a time when we stop destroying our neighborhoods.”

“This seemed like a plain vanilla rezoning to me,” Bennett said. “I’m perfectly willing to follow specifications.”

The current property is located between two existing offices and the applicant will maintain a residential appearance. Bennett will build five buildings approximately 3,500 square foot each.

Bennett will also be responsible for maintaining the common areas of the property.

After an hour and a half, council members approved the request 4-3 with such conditions as the five buildings cannot exceed a height of 20 feet, each building could be one-and-a-half stories with the half story only allowed to be used as storage space, and a masonry wall to replace the brick fence on the western side of the property.

The Gateway Corridors also provoked a heated discussion during the meeting. Roger Budd III of Valdosta was concerned about trees being planted on the right of way along the Gateway Corridors. He thinks they block people’s view and restrict business access.

Budd also mentioned his concern with the City spending $200 million to plant tress along the Gateway Corridors, which Fretti quickly said was not true and that he was receiving inaccurate information.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said and I’m not going to let you get away with it,” Mayor John Fretti said. “You shouldn’t be saying that ... Before you come here next time, come to my office and I’ll debunk some of the things you’re saying.”

Another citizen of Valdosta, Nolan Cox, does not approve of the Gateway Corridors either.

“I don’t think the issue is whether it costs $200 million or $10 million, it’s a major financial commitment when a time when your tax revenues are down like your business revenue,” he said. “I would question making a decision. It’s my money (as a taxpayer) and I think I can spend it better than you can. The grant money that you’re being offered is a trap to engage in spending money that you have to pay for ... I think it’s immoral to sit there and make these kinds of decisions.”

A memorandum has to be approved before the next phase of the Gateway Corridors. Therefore, Councilman Tim Carroll, District 5, suggested the council table the request until “recommendations are put forward” in one month.

“We set this up, asked the staff to carry it out,” Yost said. “I do want to hear from the chamber ... I’m not sure why we’re postponing it. I do know there was some pressure about not doing it at all earlier ... I think we’re ready to vote and I see no reason to delay the vote.”

Yost wanted to make sure the community was clear on the Gateway Corridor project.

“We’re not spending any money,” he said. “We are asked to approve concepts for the future. I’m not going to spend money if we don’t have it. We don’t have the money, large amounts of money, to do what we need to with the Gateways.”

Carroll felt council should wait to hear from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce before voting on the request.

“We did ask for the chamber to participate,” he said. “My request is out of highly respecting a voice of business and we asked for their help.”

Following citizens’ comments, city council voted 4-3 to postpone the request to approve the Gateway Concept as recommended by The LPA Group until its regular meeting, Thursday, Sept. 9.

“I wasn’t against the chamber having a voice,” Yost said. “I would prefer items not being on the agenda if they’re not ready.”

In honor of Councilman John A. Eunice’s final council meeting serving on City Council, all councilmembers wore bow ties in his honor. Coucilwoman Deidra White, District 2, also wore a scarf tied around her neck representing a bow tie.

Eunice was moved by a special presentation by Fretti, followed by a standing ovation from the community. Fretti officially declared Aug. 7, John Eunice day.

“It’s been my honor to represent the city at-large for two terms, Eunice said. “(Mayor and council), you’re not just my co-workers and colleagues, you’re my friends and always will be ... I cannot thank you enough for the support and friendship you’ve given me.”



See Saturday's editions for more on the City Council meeting.