Are there enough

cemetery plots in Fayette County to meet the needs of local residents?

Not according

to Flint River Resources Inc., an Atlanta-based company that asked for

a zoning change to allow a new cemetery last week.

Fayette County

commissioners denied the request for 24.3 acres on Helmer Road in north

Fayette after learning that the firm intended to market the cemetery in

seven counties.

"We have

a basic need in the area for the facility," said Jim Crist, representing

the company. Fayette's population has grown rapidly, with no new cemeteries

being built in years, he said.

But C.J. Mowell,

owner of the three existing commercial cemeteries, who was attending the

commission meeting on another matter, was asked how many spaces are available

in current commercial cemeteries, and said there are at least 50,000,

with fewer than 300 being used each year.

"The difference

is the marketing approach," said Crist, adding he thought the 12,600

cemetery plots being planned for the company's cemetery here would be

used in about 30 years. When commissioners asked him to elaborate, he

said the company planned to market aggressively in seven counties.

"I have

no interest in bringing in a regional commercial facility," said

commission Chairman Greg Dunn.

Crist also

said that the firm had pitched its idea to local churches, and "We

have received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and support," a claim

that was hotly contested by residents of the area.

Crist presented

a letter from Liberty Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Allen Parker, acknowledging

that Crist had met with church leaders and expressing support for the

cemetery. But commissioners also were presented a letter from Parker saying

he knew nothing of the company's plan and didn't support it.

In a letter

to commissioners this week, Parker said he signed the support letter by

mistake.

The petition

was denied unanimously.

But commissioners

approved Dean Fryer's request for office zoning for half of a residential

lot in the Madelyn Place subdivision on Sumner Road just off Ga. Highway

54.

Although the

county has denied similar requests to turn subdivision lots into offices,

commissioners said this request was different. The lot is next to the

Coweta/Fayette EMC office, and isn't suitable for a home, said Fryer.

"This

will not negatively impact anything that is in place," said Commissioner

Linda Wells, pointing out that none of the lots in the subdivision have

been purchased as yet. "It's probably going to be the fairest use"

of the property.

Commission

Chairman Greg Dunn disagreed. "This is a residential street. I can

envision a time when every one [of the lot owners in the subdivision]

come in here and say this should be a doctor's office," said Dunn.

"We have precedence to avoid just what we're talking about here."

Fryer's plan

was approved 4-1.