Gwinnett Daily Post

SUGAR HILL - The residents of Frontier Forest do not have to worry about contending with an auto repair shop in their neighborhood.

City Councilmen unanimously denied a rezoning that aimed at putting a Maaco Service Center on a residential plat inside one of the city's oldest subdivisions.

Steve and Angie Locke Inc. requested rezoning of about one-half acre at the corner of Wages Way and Hidden Circle Drive from residential to highway service business. The residential property stands on the farthest inside edge of Frontier Forest, which attorney Matthew Gerrardo deemed "unbuildable as a residential lot."

Several homeowners showed up to voice their opposition to the rezoning. John Woody, who said he grew up in and works in the automotive repair industry, said homeowners don't want the smell, dust, noise or lowered property values that the business could generate.

"We have been refurbishing the whole community," Woody said. "Some people have lived in their homes 40 years."

Rezonings allow fast food restaurants

In two separate motions, city councilmen allowed changes in rezoning conditions that would permit fast food restaurants to be built on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

The zoning conditions on a 27.5-acre tract at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Tench Road were changed to allow fast food sales. Planned for the spot is a 257,472- square-foot shopping center. Councilman Clint Thompson cast the single opposing vote.

At the corner of Wet Price Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, 4.76 acres were rezoned from light industrial to general business. Plans show two retail buildings totaling 27,200 square feet. Jim McCall, who lives in neighboring West Price subdivision, spoke against the rezoning.

"I fear we are beginning to build a sense of urban sprawl," McCall said. "It will change the town's feel and make it hard to get out of the subdivision."

Councilmen Marc Cohen and Thompson voted against the rezoning.