Dougherty County Commission grants permission for heavy-equipment parking on Sylvester Highway

ALBANY – The Dougherty County Commission approved on Monday rezoning that will allow for parking transport equipment on a now vacant property over the objections from residents in a neighborhood who will share a boundary with the business.

Transport Equipment Co. made the request to rezone the 2.9-acre parcel at 3415 Sylvester Highway to C-3 commercial business district use as a parking lot for equipment. The rectangular lot had been dual zoned, with part of it zoned as R-2 single-family residential and the remainder zoned as C-1 neighborhood mixed-use business district.

Two residents to the west of the 2.9 acres, separated from the property by Holton Lane, spoke in opposition to the rezoning request during a public hearing held prior to the vote.

They objected to the increase in nearby traffic and safety issues.

“I just wanted peace and tranquility,” Ronald Redine said. “That’s why I moved out here. I don’t think we have this anymore. I think Dougherty County should consider its residents also.”

Redine said he also has asthma that the movement of trucks on the dirt parking lot next door will exacerbate by kicking dust up into the air. That has been an issue with the company’s current operation located across Sylvester Highway in the past, he said.

Redine attended the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission meeting on the rezoning request and said he is still seeking answers.

That commission recommended approval of the company’s request in a 5-1 vote, with conditions that the company install fencing and a guffer area around the property.

“My concern is if nothing was addressed after the first meeting, what’s going to be addressed now?” he said. “So far everything has been difficult to discuss and no one is returning phone calls, so I’m concerned.”

Another concern raised by Redine and another resident, Amy Diaz, was safety for children. Residents use Holton Lane for walking, and children ride their bicycles along Holton Road, a local road used by residents.

“My main concern is the children,” Diaz said. “I’m concerned about the traffic. We like walking down (Holton), riding our bikes.”

The County Commission ultimately voted unanimously to grant the rezoning request, stipulating that the company provide fencing and not use Holton Lane to access the property. It also increased the buffer requirement to 35 feet from 10 feet.

A Planning Commission representative said that any issues with increased dust at the site, should they become evident, can be addressed through nuisance ordinances.