Dougherty County Commission denies zoning change for planned church in 5-2 vote

ALBANY — Members of a Nelms Road citizens group were elated on Monday after a Dougherty County Commission vote denying a rezoning request that would have allowed the placing of a church in the residential area.

The commission voted 5-2 to deny special approval for zoning that would allow building a church at the 1416 Nelms Road location that is currently zoned for R-2 (single-family) residential use.

“Primarily, none of the folks wanting this church in this neighborhood, and none of them have approached any of us in the neighborhood to explain or become friends,” William Kincheloe, who lives on the same block of the roadway, told a reporter after the meeting. “None of them have come before this board and spoken in favor of this. It needs to remain residential.”

Commissioners Gloria Gaines and Clinton Johnson voted in favor of changing the zoning, which was the recommendation of the Dougherty County Planning Commission.

District 6 Commissioner Anthony Jones, in whose district the site is located, said he listened to his constituents in voting no, along with Commissioners Victor Edwards, Ed Newsome and Russell Gray and Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard.

“As you know I follow the lead of the citizens of District 6,” Jones said during an interview after the meeting. “I work for the citizens of District 6. Whatever their desires are, as long as it doesn’t break the law, I work for the citizens of District 6. As long as it’s not against the law, we’ll stand by them.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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