This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Tensions High at Smyrna Council Meeting

Candidates for mayor and council spark debates over equal speaking time and the expanding Glock facility on Monday night.

The Smyrna City Council meeting Monday night ended with some of those in attendance shouting their disapproval at current Mayor Max Bacon after one mayoral candidate was not allowed to speak during time designated for citizen input. 

Mayoral candidate did not hear his name called when he was asked to the podium by . After all citizens, including numerous candidates were given a chance to speak, Bacon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Backry stood up and said his name had not been called and requested to speak. Bacon did not allow him to speak, however, citing the fact that he had called Backry’s name and Backry hadn’t responded.

“Excuse me I called your name, have a seat,” Bacon told Backry.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Others in attendance began shouting their disapproval of that decision at Bacon and the council as they left the council room. 

Cries of “Why Mayor, why?” and “Let him speak!” could be heard from the crowd.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch will explore all the election-related news to come from the meeting later today.

The other main issue of the night was the approval of a commercial building permit for Glock, Inc. The council approved 7-0 a permit for the construction of a new 60,000 square-foot manufacturing facility at 6000 Highland Parkway with a total estimated cost of $18 million. 

It was 14 months ago that much to the dismay of residents who reside near the Glock property, the council voted unanimously to permit the gun manufacturer to build four new buildings on its 18 acres.

The property is in Ward 7, and while three of the four candidates seeking to fill that ward's council seat being vacated Charles Pete Wood were elsewhere at a public forum Monday night, the subject matter of Glock did draw the ire of at least one candidate at the meeting.

Ward 4 candidate Judith Causey Jones had bold words for the council and mayor as she questioned the legitimacy of the land sales to a Glock-owned company that contributed to the expanding facility. The company, Consultinvest, Inc., is a subsidiary of Glock.

“When these people sold their land to Consultinvest, did they know they were selling to Glock?'' Jones asked. "The City of Smyrna needs to be ran like a business. If it were all of y'all, you would be prosecuted for malfeasance in office and you’d be voted out and a new board of directors voted in.”

Bacon later responded by saying that he would hope that the people who sold their property to Consultinvest knew it was Glock they were selling to. The City, he explained, has known that all along. 

“All I know is those 18-acres do not belong to the city,” he said.

A public hearing was also held for a zoning request to modify a currently approved site plan for phase one of the Sherwood Subdivision at South Sherwood Road and Park Manor Drive. It is owned by Arcadia Homes and Neighborhoods, LLC.

No one spoke out in opposition to the council’s unanimous decision to approve the downzoning, which City Administrator Eric Taylor said would change the remaining interior 40 single town home lots down to 24 single family detached home lots. The homes will sell in the $300,000 price range.

“Nothing has really changed other than the land not laying idle for a half decade,” said Darvis Sams of Arcadia Homes. “We think that provides you with a subdivision that is going to be one of those properties that is a sign of things to come for the City of Smyrna. We are very happy and pleased and hope you are excited as we are.” 

The Crossings at Four Corners development on South Cobb Drive was once again on the minds of the council as they approved 7-0 to amend Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances with regards to shopping center signs.

The change will directly affect the new Kroger, as it addresses several issues that the current sign ordinance does not allow for or specifically address — including the number of signs on a building and increasing maximum letter height on signs associated with a large scale tenant building or shopping center. Because of the change, the proper Kroger logo will be able to fit onto the sign and allow the company to display two signs where they choose instead of one.

Community Development Director Ken Suddreth said that the changes will affect future developments of 10 acres or more or a building of more than 45,000 square-feet.

“It doesn’t open up the whole ordinance but it really does address large scale development,” he said. “Even though this started with Kroger its not really a Kroger amendment, because it will apply to other shopping areas.”

Items of note on the consent agenda included approval of no parking signs along the interior side of the curve on Springleaf Circle beginning at 1466 Springleaf Circle and extending to 1476 Springleaf Circle. Additionally, approval was given to close West Spring Street Tuesday and Wednesday (October 18-19) from 7 a.m. to noon for Market Village HOA to conduct the cleaning of buildings there.

All the items on the consent agenda that were approved can be viewed here 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Smyrna-Vinings