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Brian Johnston's avatar

Some clarification please. Could you point me to the parts of the plan that show that any DNR purchase would only lessen the low density housing versus any of the other proposed uses.

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Bartow Freedom Coalition's avatar

There is nothing in the plan that would say that. However those seeking an DNR buyout have been targeting the mountainous areas that are outlined for low density development.

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Brian Johnston's avatar

Did that " targeting" come from public comments by citizens or is there something from DNR directly? I'm just trying to separate proposals from speculation and eliminate any politically volatile red herrings.

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Bartow Freedom Coalition's avatar

The Neel Family, which owns the Aubrey Corp, owns about 16,500 acres of land it wants to sell. It has rented about 14,000 acres as a "Wildlife management Area" (WMA) to the state of Georgia for decades. Aubrey Corp and the citizen activists from that area have proudly and repeatedly stated they are in negotiations with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to have DNR buy as much of that land as possible at Fair Market value. The areas marked for "low density residential" fall almost entirely in the WMA.

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Brian Johnston's avatar

The current WMA constitutes 85% of the total Aubrey land area. Most everything there exists in the WMA. There is nothing to prevent them from moving Low Density to another location if DNR ends up purchasing it.

Regardless, it is the property owner's right to sell to whomever they wish at a fair price. There is a fair argument to be had that the idea of zoning and government oversight of the market processes here is a gross violation of private property rights and the freedoms of the landowners.

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Bartow Freedom Coalition's avatar

There is lots to stop them from moving low density to the other areas. It is planned for high density and industrial.

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Brian Johnston's avatar

They are going to do what brings the best return on their investment. No way I can be mad at them for that.

Let the market decide.

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