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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - In a letter dated February 9, 2016, Planning and Zoning Director David Allen notified neighbors of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission property that WestCare sent a formal notice dated February 4, 2016 to advise Pike County Planning and Development that it is cancelling its application for the Special Exception request for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education center for male youths ages 14 to 17 at 5611 GA Hwy. 109 in Molena, Georgia.
Director Allen advised that WestCare does not have to give a reason for this withdrawal. However, there was overwhelming opposition from neighbors at both the January 26, 2106 Board of Commissioners meeting and at the Board of Appeals meeting on January 22, 2016. You can read about both of these meetings by clicking here and here.
Director Allen advised that the WestCare Georgia application will no longer be considered by the Pike County Board of Commissioners.
This is not the only application that has been withdrawn of late. According to WRDW News 12 out of Augusta, WestCare applied for a Special Use Permit in Augusta for a similar facility in September, 2015 but withdrew their application in October when faced with opposition that reads much like the complaints of neighbors here in Pike County.