Peachtree City officials will have a public hearing on a rezoning request for the Dolce Conference Center that would permit Great Wolf Lodge to renovate the property as a private resort.
The hearing will be held April 16 at City Hall, and Mayor Vanessa Fleisch has expanded the time for public input to one hour for each side of the issue.
Those who wish to speak must sign up in advance of the 7 p.m. meeting.
“With so much public interest in this item, and the fact that many of our residents are not aware of the City’s meeting and public hearing procedures, I felt advertising the procedures and the expanded time allotment in advance was important to our citizens,” Fleisch said. “This will let both sides of the issue designate spokespeople to ensure that all the acts are covered in the allotted time.”
Fleisch added that “it is a testament to our wonderful community that so many people feel so strongly about this issue. I have spoken to residents on both sides of this issue who want what is best for Peachtree City.”
Following a public hearing, the City Council will deliberate and render a decision based on state and City zoning law. Per Peachtree City’s ordinances (Section 2-38) regarding public hearings establish the following rules:
- The Mayor will allow each side equal opportunity to the floor and establish time limits. With respect to zoning hearings, each side shall have a minimum time period of ten minutes for each zoning decision.
- Members of the City Council become “hearers.” No action on their part is in order until the Mayor declares the hearing complete.
- The applicant and those supporting the issue, including the city staff position (if appropriate), will be heard.
- Those opposing the issue, including the city staff (if appropriate), will be heard.
- Prior to closing the public hearing input portion of the meeting, the hearers and any member of the public may ask questions of either or both sides of the issue.
- When the Mayor is assured that input is complete, the public hearing shall be ended and the Council will then debate the issue and render a decision.
- Once the public hearing has been closed, no further public comment is taken.
Due to the potential number of attendees on April 16, members of the audience wishing to speak during the hearing will be asked to sign up prior to the meeting in Council Chambers. Once recognized, speakers will be asked to step to the microphone and state their name and address before making remarks. Participants are asked to refrain from repeating the comments of others in the interest of time. Anyone making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks will be barred from further comment during the meeting.
Fleisch noted that a public hearing is not a popular vote on an issue. “State law does not allow for referendums on zoning matters, and the number of attendees for or against any zoning matter is not legally relevant. The hearing is a time to ensure that Council has all the facts in making a decision.”
To ensure this goal, participants in every public hearing Peachtree City holds are asked to refrain from repeating others’ comments. Keeping comments brief, factual, and relevant to the issue, or designating neighborhood representatives to speak, helps to ensure that all facts are presented during the allotted time.
Fleisch also said that meeting decorum would be especially important April 16, with a large crowd in attendance. Residents are reminded that, while attendees may have a strong emotional investment in an agenda item, behavior that disrupts the hearing or another’s time to speak, is inappropriate. Those disrupting the hearing may forfeit their opportunity to speak.
“We are blessed with intelligent residents who care about Peachtree City,” Fleisch said. “Council and I want to hear from both sides of the issue in a respectful manner. We will then be tasked with balancing community input and the legal statutes germane to the situation.”
City Hall is located at 151 Willowbend Road.
