December 17,2009
Scientology Church Zoning Final Vote
 
The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday night voted 3-3 to approve a motion to allow church use on the site but to restrict the applicant to the existing square footage of the building with the existing parking areas. The tiebreaking vote went to Mayor Eva Galambos, who supported the Staff and Planning Commission compromise that allowed the church in, but without the additional space.

Council members Dianne Fries, Ashley Jenkins and Rusty Paul also voted in favor, while council members Tibby DeJulio, Doug MacGinnitie and Karen Meinzen McEnerny dissented. The Scientology rezoning application had asked to enclose a basement parking garage to increase their square footage by 33%, yet decreasing the parking by 30 spaces. HPCA was part of a group of 16 civic and homeowner associations in opposition to the proposed rezoning -- based on inadequate parking, increased traffic at a dangerous intersection, and development above our Comprehensive Use Plan.

HPCA is pleased that the church has been restricted to the current building density and will lobby for needed intersection improvement. The increased traffic as the church grows will warrant improvement to minimize accidents at this busy intersection.

Jane Kelley
High Point Civic Association