City officials host a public hearing today at the Lake Park Elementary School cafeteria concerning a rezoning request for an apartment complex.

During the Lake Park City Council’s April 1 meeting, the city first heard the case. Approximately 100 people urged council members to deny the request to rezone a 5.67-acre section in the northeast area of Lake Park, along Lakes Boulevard and Country Lane.

Investor’s Management Company of Valdosta made the rezoning request. It proposes building a 64-unit apartment complex geared towards renters ages 55 and older on the 5.67-acre section.

Area residents have voiced their concerns that foot and car traffic through the neighborhood would greatly increase, along with vandalism; that the complex would be aesthetically out of place; that property values would be hurt; and that Horselot Lake, which has no runoff system, would be damaged.

The request was brought before the Lowndes County Planning Commission in March. The commission denied the request.

At the April 1 meeting, City Council voted to table the request and revisit it during the May 6 council meeting.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. today.