Hearing planned on project for disabled

by Jennifer L. Johnson


WINTERVILLE - The Winterville Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing next month about a new zoning class proposed by a nonprofit working to build a community for developmentally disabled people.

Sycamore Ridge supporters are working to build a community in Winterville where disabled people could live and work meaningful jobs.

After trying to rezone an 87-acre tract of land on Parkview Drive - and failing because the existing zoning classes don't include a use like Sycamore Ridge - the nonprofit proposed its own "assisted residential district."

"Unfortunately, your existing zoning regulations didn't have a place for us to fit," land planner Jon Williams of Williams and Associates told planning commission members Monday night, when he presented the three-page document.

The new zoning class would allow assisted-living communities for people with physical or developmental disabilities.

The commission is required to conduct a public hearing, which will be held at the November planning meeting.

Meanwhile, Winterville planning officials are reviewing the proposal.

"We have (the text amendment wording) out to legal authorities and the Georgia Municipal Association," said planning commission Chairman David Dreesen. "This would be a major change to the city to incorporate a new zoning district."

The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 2, likely in the Winterville Depot or the Winterville Elementary School because of the large turnout at a public meeting about Sycamore Ridge in August.

While planning commissioners are open to public comments.

"At that time, it would be our intention to vote to recommend or not recommend the new district to the mayor and the city council,” Dreesen said.

While planners are considering only whether to add a zoning class, Sycamore Ridge supporters expect to hold another round of public hearings before city leaders decide whether to rezone any specific tract of land.

"We think everything is on track," said Nicholas Harris, executive director of Sycamore Ridge. "This works in our favor because now we have more time to fund-raise more dollars."

Citizens should put their comments into writing for the commission to consider before the hearing, which doesn't yet have a set location, Dreesen said.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story contained an incomplete quote from Winterville planning commission Chairman David Dreesen.