Unless Wal-Mart can get a special ruling to have a flat roof, its store in Duluth, Georgia may be too high to fly. In early June, Sprawl-Busters received the following email from Georgia: “The purpose of my email is to seek advice on first steps in preventing the development of a supercenter in Duluth Georgia. We found out about this proposal a few days ago and we feel we need to mobilize our community and the surrounding community to do something about the situation quickly. Here are the facts: Wal-Mart has proposed a super store in Duluth, Georgia. The proposed site is zoned general commercial (C-2) meaning a retail store is an allowed use within this zoning district. Wal-mart’s engineering company (Wolverton & Associates) have applied for several variances and the zoning board of appeals meets on 27 June, 2007 to address these variances. We understand the zoning board of appeals does not have the authority to approve or disapprove Wal-Mart locating here; just on the variances. Development plans have not been submitted, according to the Director of the City Planning and Development Department. We are one of about 10 subdivisions in the immediate area of the possible development and we are looking for initial guidance from someone that has a proven track record in these situations.” That was following by a second email, which read, “I see you were able to help the residents of Gainesville, Georgia, and was hoping you could help us. We live in Duluth, Georgia. Wal-Mart is proposing a 24 hour super center about 4 miles from another one in Duluth, and this one would be smack in the middle of neighborhoods.” According to the Gwinnett Daily Post, residents in Duluth are “in a rage” over this store, and have been circulating a petition to stop it. “It’s not a good idea for them to be coming into a residential area and just ruin it,” said neighbor Tim West. “They’ve ruined a lot of communities.” A senior planner with the city, told the Post that the land is zoned for commercial use. Wal-Mart has requested two zoning variances, to change the pitch of the roof and alter the location of a required landscape strip. These variance requests were taken up at the June 27th meeting this week, but were tabled by the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting until July 25th. The city said most of the surrounding property owners in three subdivisions have opposed the project. If Wal-Mart’s request to have a flat roof is not granted, Wal-Mart will not be able to stay within the height limitations required by city ordinance. “We’re up against a wall, that’s for sure,” West told the newspaper. “The quality of life would go way downhill with Wal-Mart coming in here. We’re just going to try to stop them.”
On the city’s website, it says, “It is important for residents to know that this property is currently zoned C-2 (commercial/general business), so the company does not need to re-zone the subject property in order to build a Supercenter… Wal-Mart has requested that action on their variance requests be “Tabled” (deferred) until the July 25th ZBA meeting, which will be held at 7:00 pm at Duluth City Hall. Additionally, they have withdrawn the variance request pertaining to signage.” Readers are encouraged to contact the Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals by calling 770-476-1790 and leaving the following message: “Don’t let Wal-Mart build on the Sugarloaf Parkway. This project is too large for a residential area. Even land zoned C-2 can be limited if the scale of the project is incompatible with surrounding uses.”
