The Clayton County Board of Commissioners approved a special use permit for Harvest Village, a Christian community development organization, to operate a place of worship in a former shopping center on Tara Boulevard.
Harvest Village plans to revitalize the area
Harvest Village is a non-profit organization that aims to transform lives and communities through holistic ministry. It was founded in 2010 by Pastor Timothy and Dr. Kimberly Jones, who have been serving the Clayton County area for over 20 years.
The organization purchased the 12-acre property on Tara Boulevard in 2019, with the vision of creating a multi-purpose facility that would include a place of worship, a community center, a health clinic, a school, a food pantry, and a thrift store.
The project, dubbed Harvest Village Plaza, is expected to cost $15 million and create 150 jobs in the area. The organization has already raised $5 million and secured a $10 million loan from a local bank.
The special use permit faced some opposition
The special use permit application for Harvest Village was submitted to the Clayton County Community Development Department in October 2020. The application requested to change the zoning of the property from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Institutional (INST), which would allow for a place of worship and other related uses.
The application was reviewed by the Clayton County Planning Commission, which recommended approval with 12 conditions, such as limiting the hours of operation, providing adequate parking and landscaping, and complying with all building and fire codes.
However, the application faced some opposition from nearby residents and business owners, who expressed concerns about the potential impact of the project on traffic, noise, property values, and public safety.
Some of the opponents argued that the project was not compatible with the surrounding land uses, which are mostly commercial and industrial. They also claimed that the project would reduce the tax revenue for the county, since places of worship are exempt from property taxes.
The Board of Commissioners voted in favor of the project
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on January 23, 2024, to consider the special use permit application for Harvest Village. The hearing lasted for more than two hours, with dozens of speakers voicing their opinions for and against the project.
The supporters of the project, including the applicants, their attorney, their architect, and several community leaders and members, emphasized the positive aspects of the project, such as:
- Providing a place of worship and spiritual guidance for the residents of Clayton County
- Offering various social services and programs for the needy and underserved populations
- Enhancing the appearance and functionality of the vacant and dilapidated shopping center
- Creating jobs and economic opportunities for the local businesses and contractors
- Revitalizing the area and improving the quality of life for the neighbors
The opponents of the project, including some residents, business owners, and representatives of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, reiterated their concerns about the negative impacts of the project, such as:
- Increasing traffic congestion and noise pollution on Tara Boulevard and the adjacent streets
- Decreasing property values and marketability of the nearby properties
- Losing tax revenue and business potential for the county and the existing commercial and industrial establishments
- Attracting crime and vandalism to the area
- Violating the comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance of the county
After hearing both sides of the argument, the Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of granting the special use permit for Harvest Village, with the same 12 conditions recommended by the Planning Commission.
The commissioners who voted for the project praised the applicants for their vision and mission, and expressed their confidence that the project would benefit the county and the community.
The commissioners who voted against the project acknowledged the good intentions of the applicants, but expressed their reservations about the feasibility and suitability of the project.
Harvest Village is grateful and hopeful for the future
Pastor Timothy Jones, the founder and executive director of Harvest Village, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Commission, the Community Development Department, and all the supporters of the project.
He said that he was not discouraged by the opposition, but rather motivated by the challenge. He said that he understood the concerns of the opponents, and that he was willing to work with them to address their issues and find common ground.
He said that he hoped that the project would be a blessing and a catalyst for the transformation of the area and the county.
He said that he expected to break ground on the project in the spring of 2024, and to complete the first phase of the project, which includes the place of worship, by the end of the year.
He invited everyone to join him and his team in their journey of faith and service.
