Councilman Gary Johnson
City of Dublin
Dublin, Georgia 31021
Dear Councilman Johnson,
Please consider extending the official time for posting rezoning notices on property from 15 days to 45 days. Currently, a notice must be posted on property for only 15 days before the Planning and Zoning Board meets to consider a rezoning request. The property owner has an infinite amount of time to prepare and plan for the zoning board hearing, but neighborhood residents only have 15 days to organize opposition and gather petition signatures. Although the notice is posted in the newspaper, viewing the sign on the property is the primary way that neighborhood residents know about a rezoning request. Increasing the official time for posting the notice to 45 days is fair and reasonable for everyone. It will make sure that neighbors will have the time to organize to express their concerns and will make certain that many more people will know about the rezoning request.
At its May 5th meeting, the City Council postponed action for 60 days on Mr. Curry�s request to rezone residential property to warehouse use across from Susie Dasher School. There was considerable opposition from the surrounding neighborhood. The residents of that neighborhood simply did not have enough time to see the rezoning notice and organize to express their opinions to the Planning and Zoning Board. The Dublin Historic Neighborhood Association sympathizes with them. We have been pressed for time because of the short notice given for rezoning requests. The time for posting needs to be extended.
Obviously the City of Dublin needs to do more to notify city residents about rezoning requests.
Some cities mail rezoning notices to neighborhood residents. The City of Dublin could defray the cost of postage and handling by collecting a fee from the person who submits the rezoning request.
Also, the Council should consider instructing the City Manager to post the rezoning notices on the city�s website and on local access TV Channel 9.
Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
Harold Cline, President
Dublin Historic Neighborhood Association
