A community in Gwinnett County is currently engaged in a battle against a proposal by the City of Buford to annex land near their neighborhoods. The proposal involves the development of warehouses, which has raised concerns among residents regarding increased traffic, potential road damage, and a negative impact on property values.
Residents of the Camp Branch Road community in unincorporated Gwinnett County have expressed their strong opposition to the construction of warehouses that would replace the beautiful green landscape at the entrance of their subdivision near I-85. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson spoke to several neighbors who voiced their concerns.
The Buford proposal presents a comprehensive site plan that encompasses five warehouses and a four-story storage facility. To proceed with this plan, city commissioners will first have to annex over 300,000 square feet on Camp Branch Road and re-zone the existing residential area into an industrial zone.
Neighbor Susan Rogers expressed her concern, stating, “I can’t help but feel like we’re being invaded. It’s unsettling to think that we may become prisoners in our own neighborhood.”
Rogers, like many other homeowners, is concerned about the potential damage caused by 18-wheelers to the roads. This not only adds to the existing traffic but also has the potential to negatively affect property values.
Jim Zehe predicts that the homes in this area will experience a significant drop of 20-25%. He expresses concern that the removal of trees will result in their replacement with concrete.
Buford City Manager Bryan B. Kerlin informed Channel 2 Action News that the Planning and Zoning Board has given their unanimous recommendation for the approval of the plan.
The proposal is set to be voted on by Buford City Commissioners during their upcoming meeting on June 3 at 7 p.m.
State Representative Farooq Mughal is representing the area and expressing concerns about the proposed plans. He intends to have a meeting with city officials prior to Monday’s vote.
He expressed his intention to act as a mediator, aiming to facilitate discussions between the city and the constituents. His goal is to find ways to minimize the impact of this situation.