The East Point City Council Monday night unanimously turned down a development proposal featuring a bowling alley, go-cart track and miniature golf complex.
The $11 million complex planned for 10 acres on Desert Drive would have provided 150 jobs, said developer James Shively. He also said he had received more than 2,700 applications for the positions. Shively had asked the issue to be deferred until April 18, but the vote was held.
Two weeks ago, residents living near the site packed the council chamber, and several returned Monday night to reiterate their opposition to the project. Some of the residents’ concerns included the topography of the land, along with increased traffic and parking issues.
“Where will all the employees and visitors park?” said Thomas Hubert.
The property is already zoned commercial and Shively wanted a residential zoning condition removed from the property Monday night. Shively said the previous owner of the property had proposed an element of high residential development for the property four years ago.
But the majority of residents wanted no part of the entertainment complex and asked the council to turn it down.
“I’ll hear the noise from the complex at my house,” said Bobby Bryant.
The city’s staff recommended approval of the proposal with several conditions, including limiting the hours of operation and keeping decibel levels in accordance with the city’s ordinance. The staff also said any go carts at the facility would have to be electric cars.
But the City Council unanimously turned down the proposal and offered no comment on the vote.
Tuesday morning, Shively responded by email about the vote.
“They completely ignored my written request to defer…" Shively wrote. "To be totally honest I am surprised of the outcome. I was sure that once the facts were laid out for the counsel as well as the community we would move forward to develop this decaying site.”
But he added, the project is not dead. He’s in negotiations for another site in the area.
“I have no bad feelings here," Shively said. "Just overwhelmed at the series of events that have taken place.”
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