Monday, June 25, 2012
The attorney representing residents of Flagler Circle opposed to the expansion of Oxford Academy asserts that the city of Smyrna isn't protecting its residents' Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, June 25, 2012
Alan Aycock is the real estate consultant who represents some of the residents of Flagler Circle who are opposed to the expansion of Oxford Academy. He shared this letter that was sent to Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon, Smyrna City Council Representatives and city staff that asserts that the expansion is illegal. City of Smyrna, Georgia 2800 King Street Smyrna, Georgia 30080 RE: Proposed expansion of illegal use at 811 Church Street (Oxford Academy). Dear Mayor, Councilmembers, Mr. Suddreth, Ms. Broyles and Mr. Taylor: As you know, this firm represents Donald and Bonnie Berry of 835 Flagler Circle, Smyrna Georgia with respect to their stated objections to the proposed expansion of the Oxford Academy along Church Street and onto Flagler. …
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Smyrna's Planning and Zoning Board voted 5-0 to table an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance regarding daycares in residential areas.
The debate over daycares in residential areas continues after the Smyrna Planning and Zoning Board tabled an amendment that would clarify the city's zoning ordinance until July 9. Planning and Zoning Board members Frank Pologruto and Larry Jones were absent. “I think it’s a victory for us because I was afraid they were going to pass it, but a lot of research needs to be done to really understand the impact of this,” said Don Berry, a resident of Flagler Circle who is opposed to the expansion of Oxford Academy. “So I’m really happy with what happened here tonight.” Berry and some other residents of Cheney Woods and the surrounding neighborhoods are opposed to the proposed expansion of Oxford Academy, a private daycare located on Church …
Friday, June 8, 2012
Some residents voiced an interest in changing the ordinance allowing daycares as a permitted use in residential zones.
Emotions ran high at an informational meeting organized by Smyrna’s Ward 5 City Council Representative Susan Wilkinson about the proposed expansion of Oxford Academy. “We are a residential neighborhood and you have more or less tried to decide that the middle of Church Street is no longer residential," said Sandra McQueen, a Church Street resident. "My property values are going down because of this.” “This is our lives you’re talking about!” shouted Bonnie Berry, a resident of Flagler Circle and one of the organizers of Concerned Citizens of Cheney Woods. “Quit hiding behind your silly rules! This is our lives!” Berry and about 20 other residents of Cheney Woods and the surrounding neighborhoods assembled Thursday at the Aline Wolfe Adult …
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Smyrna-Vinings Patch will have coverage from Thursday's informational meeting later.
Good fences make good neighbors, but what about good daycares? That’s the question many residents of Cheney Woods subdivision are asking as Oxford Academy makes plans to expand into a third building. Oxford Academy is a private daycare facility located at 755 Church Street. The school currently has two buildings, but owners Jimmy and Cindy Smith have plans to renovate an adjacent house on a lot that faces Flagler Circle. The Grandmother Exemption The lot located at 805 Flagler Circle is zoned R15, which means it’s a 15,000 square-foot residential lot, however, a caveat sometimes referred to as the “grandmother exemption” allows for childcare in a residential area. Don Berry, who lives at 835 Flagler Circle, said he doesn’t think Oxford …
Freya Stark
9:11 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
The concept you are writing about is called the public trust. This is the origin of a democratic government. It is the idea that the true power and future of a society lies with the public. So whatever trust that public places in its leaders must be respected. Unfortunately the public trust in Smyrna is violated over and over by its officials. more ›