Perry City Council denies Airport Road townhome development again

PERRY — Residents against a townhome development left council chambers satisfied on Tuesday after the City Council unanimously denied an extension on the proposed Airport Road annexation. 

It’s the second time the annexation request has been denied. During the pre-council meeting, Interim Community Development Director Holly Wharton shared that the applicant, Matt Widner, requested to postpone the second reading of the ordinance to the June 16 meeting. If the council had approved the request, it would have delayed them from making a decision. 

Wharton explained that although Widner wanted an extension, their annexation request would remain the same. The applicant wanted to rezone 19.70 acres from Residential Agricultural zoning to Residential Townhouse development. 

She said he wanted an extension to provide more support and documentation after hearing concerns at the previous public hearing. Wharton shared that any future development plans have to go through the Community Development department’s process. The decision on annexation and zoning is separate from the proposed plans. 

Mayor Randall Walker clarified the only decision council made was rezoning, not the site plan.

Multiple residents spoke up to share their concerns. They mentioned the negative impacts on the area, like infrastructure and traffic. Residents believe this will especially affect the 55-plus community in the Houston Springs neighborhood. 

Councilmembers voted to deny the applicant’s time extension request. The decision was made in a 5-1 vote. Only Councilmember Willie King voted to approve the postponement. 

After the public hearing, councilmembers unanimously denied the application, meaning the application will not move forward. 

Councilmember Robert Jones thanked residents for speaking up. He hopes it serves as a reminder that civic engagement matters. 

“It does make a difference and I encourage people to keep coming out and speaking,” he said. 

GDOT recommendation on Perry Parkway and Main Street

Other business covered in the meeting included City Manager Robert Smith saying that the Georgia Department of Transportation has completed an evaluation of the intersection between South Perry Parkway, Main Street and Highway 34. Since it is a state and federal highway, GDOT is in control of the project.

According to Smith, their engineering report determined that the intersection was trending towards failure. He explained “failure” means there are significant safety issues that may arise. There are also issues of moving traffic volume effectively through the intersection. 

According to council documents, within the last five years, there have been 23 reported collisions at the intersection. 

GDOT has provided recommendations to the city on how to improve the intersection. The first is creating a three-way stop, but they have determined it will only work for four to six years. The long-term solution is building a roundabout. 

Councilmember Robert Jones voiced his concerns, saying it could impact log and chicken trucks.

GDOT says adding a roundabout will be an effective and safe way to handle traffic volume. 

GDOT is asking the mayor and council for their concurrence to explore that option as well as to ensure funds are available to complete the project. 

During pre-council, mayor and council discussed providing a letter of support but with a request for GDOT to consider adding a traffic light system instead. 

During general public comments, resident Javan Frazier shared his concerns. His home is located near the intersection, and he believes adding a three-way stop would impact his ability to get in and out of his driveway. Adding a roundabout would also impact his home and he asked how it would impact his and his neighbors’ properties. 

Frazier shared that the neighborhood has witnessed car accidents and hopes GDOT will listen to their concerns before making a decision. 

Walker encouraged the resident to contact GDOT’s engineering department with his questions. 

Council unanimously approved to provide a letter of support along with their suggestion for traffic lights. 

Mayor and Council will hold their next pre-council meeting at 5 p.m. and the regular council meeting at 6 p.m. on June 2. Everyone is invited to attend, and the agenda is available before meetings on their website. Both meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube.