THOMASVILLE- Monday afternoon, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-4 to approve the rezoning of the historic Douglass High School property from R-1 CU to C-1A with conditions. 

Kenny Thompson, City Planner, explained the additional conditions for the commission members, which included neighborhood compatibility standards, site standards that included parking, lighting and fencing, and prohibited additional uses.

“With that, the C-1A with conditions does meet the criteria for the rezoning that’s found within the municipal code, chapter 22-178, the policies and procedures for owner initiated rezoning activities,” Thompson said. 

With no questions from the commission, they opened the floor to community input, with local citizens speaking on their support or opposition to the rezoning of the property. 

In support of the rezoning, Lauretta Hadley said that it would allow for the alumni chapter to continue its role as a community organization and attain compliance as they disseminated useful information to the surrounding community. 

“I am requesting that the rezoning for Douglass High School to C-1A, and the reason is the alumni chapter is looking forward to continuing as a community organization via clearing house for prevention of violence literature that can be passed out in the community, red ribbon week activities, and some of the other functions that the alumni would like to do in reference to the donations,” Hadley said. 

Amongst the opposition, Tony Bowdry, a resident of Dewey City, said that he spoke against the rezoning on behalf of Dewey City residents due to the lack of communication with the alumni association and called on Earl Williams III, a commission member, to recuse himself from the vote due to his connection with the alumni association.

“I rise on behalf of the Dewey City community in strong opposition of the Douglass High complex,” Bowdry said. “We ask and recommend that Mr. Earl Williams III recuse himself from the Planning and Zoning Board, the Douglass Alumni Executive Board, if he is a part of that, and any other board that is affiliated with the rezoning and redevelopment for conflict of interest.”

Chairman Sam Fink said that Williams had been deemed without conflict of interest by the City Manager and City Attorney on this particular matter. 

After a tied 4-4 vote for the rezoning, Fink broke the tie in favor of approving the rezoning of the historic Douglass High School property from R-1 CU to C-1A with conditions.