For the past several years, Cheney Woods residents have opposed the expansion of Oxford Academy Inc., which is located in the neighborhood on Flagler Circle off Church Street. The business is run by former Councilman Jimmy Smith and his wife. But their neighbors’ hope for change in the city’s zoning ordinance looks to be fading.
“I know that it is on the agenda, but it’s my understanding that’s going to be tabled so that the council can discuss it more and look into the verbiage and study it more,” said Councilwoman Susan Wilkinson of the proposed amendment to R-15 zoning.
Residents of Flag Circle remain dumbfounded about the city’s refusal to budge on the ordinance, which they fear will raise traffic congestion and lower property values in the neighborhood of ranch homes. They’ve long suspected Smith and underhanded politics have been involved.
“We just feel that by slipping this day care center language in, it seems sneaky,” said Flagler Circle resident Bonnie Berry.
In 2006, Smyrna City Council members voted 5-0 to amend the city’s R-15 zoning to allow for “day nurseries and kindergartens.” Smith did not vote and has since left the council.
His attorney, Garvis Sams of Marietta, said that Smith and his wife, Cindy, have agreed not to further expand Oxford into the Flagler Circle property in question, not now or in the future. Instead, he said his clients plan to expand their business in their Church Street home next to Oxford.
“My clients’ reaction to the opposition has been to undertake the steps necessary to address and resolve the issues which have been raised and to keep the city informed of their efforts in that regard,” said Sams.
Present enrollment at Oxford totals 141 children, with at least 300 more on the waiting list, according to Sams.
Last Monday, the Smyrna Planning and Zoning Board did propose implementing a minor change to language in the R-15 zoning ordinance, concerning access to day care driveways. The council is scheduled to vote on that tonight.
But the move has done little to satisfy residents.
In spite of what they say has been a lack of response from city officials, the residents say they will continue to fight for the removal of day care centers from residential zoning in Smyrna’s ordinance.
“When you have these municipalities like Smyrna, and you’ve got these historic neighborhoods, commercial does encroach,” said Berry. “I think it takes really smart, savvy city planning to do it well. I think it can be done, but you can’t sit back and expect it to happen.”
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This is a very strange city w/ very strange people.
No-one seems to be concerned that there are no private businesses locating here,(yet they sign silly petitions in hopes that quality groceries won't notice the rundown conditions, empty storefronts and dishonest government & locate here anyway).
Many of these citizens seem to be in a trance while bowing down and singing praises to their unscrupulous , disengaged CULT -like city officials.
And while in this oblivious, hypnotic state, the citizens are being robbed blind of their tax money , SPLOST funding and any value of their homes & property.
They don't seem to understand the failure of a city whose largest developments in 15 years are a low income senior housing, a mega 24 hour Race Trac gas station, smoke shops & pawn shops/gold stores.
(most of what's been build is government owned & government run!!)
It is no doubt , bizarro, to say the least!!
As things stand now, only very few cronies profit from the SPLOST dollars spent on unnecessary & wasteful projects.
Smith has few grounds on which to sue, without exposing himself and the City to corruption charges. His goal/tactics has been to delay / raise extraneous issues / depend on his friends at the City / run out the clock.
Very few folks outside of Cheney Woods understand that this is a city-wide issue--not just one neighborhood. A new day care in R15 could open almost anywhere with NO public notice NO hearing No vote.
Knock -knock, to Smyrna citizens,.. also no one there.
Smyrna is nothing but a hodge podge of disconnected neighborhoods w/ close proximity to the interstates.
Livable cities are Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee, Decatur, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody-
...been to Smyrna lately?
South Cobb/Windy Hill -not ONE dime been spent since the '50's.
Concord Road- 10 million disappeared w/ NO IMPROVEMNTS!!
No resturants, no entertainment, no beauty, no tree canopy,no bike lanes, no single stream recycling, no public art, no architecture, no music venues, no art galleries, no natural parks w/ nature/wildlife protected areas, no buildings over 2 stories, no urban areas, no lofts, no place to be,(unless you're related to the good ole boy politically connected family tree),.. that's for sure.