Commissioners rejected apartments 'after examining all sides of issue'

Editor:

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I would like to express my gratitude to the Columbia County commissioners for taking the time to listen to the concerns of residents opposed to the rezoning of a parcel of property on Wheeler Road from R-2 to A-R. Thankfully, after examining all sides of the issue, the Commission chose to disapprove the rezoning petition.

I am particularly grateful to Tom Mercer for tabling the vote earlier this summer to allow time for those potentially affected by the change to meet directly with the petitioner/developer to better understand the pros and cons of this particular rezoning.

Thanks also to: Russ Oldham with Hathaway Properties; attorney Bill Coleman; Ben Harrison with Meybohm Realty; and the many residents in Springlakes and Quail Creek subdivisions who met on two occasions to engage in open and constructive discussion.

While these meetings could have generated very passionate and heated debates, they were conducted in a highly professional and cordial manner so that all who participated were provided equal time and respect to share their differing views.

Beth Frits

Martinez