Pawn shop stirs opposition in SnellvillePeople aren't happy that this establishment will sell guns. But you know, Wal-Mart sells guns too. I'm not a fan of the small, poorly run pawn shops - and I certainly don't want one on every corner in Snellville, but this is larger, and if it's a nice establishment, and Council Member Tod Warner is in support of it, it could be a good addition and a draw to Snellville. It could be very good for Snellville's economy. I beg of you to keep an open mind and learn the facts before you attend the City Council meeting tonight, and be polite.
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Shane Blatt Battle lines are being drawn in Snellville over a proposal by a local pawn shop owner to relocate and build a 5,500-square-foot facility on US ...The Snellville City Council is expected to vote on the matter, likely in front of a packed house, at its 7:30 p.m. meeting today at City Hall.
The most vocal opposition comes from residents in the Summit Chase subdivision, which sits about 4,100 feet from the proposed site near U.S. 78 and Grayson Parkway.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Proposed Snellville pawn shop faces opposition
10 comments:
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Gun Shops are thoroughly licensed by The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the owners will have extensive background checks and will be inspected by ATF before the license is issued to the owner/owners, not only the owners will be check, the employees will also. The shop is regulated and must be able to have the proper zoning by the municipality inorder to have a Federal Firearms license,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you know what you're talking about, and since you know what you're talking about, you probably have a gun, therefore, I don't plan to argue with you :) Not that I need to. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a home with guns, and guns in a responsible home don't bother me. However, I believe we have a larger issue at stake.
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me is the poorly planned growth and development that Snellville has experienced over the last several years. Snellville's hodgepodge sprawl makes it apparent that any business that can afford the fee for a business license is allowed to occupy any open space anywhere in the city.
I've lived in Snellville for over 20 years, and have seen the city grow from a quaint town . . . into a run down version of Memorial Drive. It truly breaks my heart.
The last thing we need is a Wal-Mart sized Pawn Shop.
What the Snellville City Council needs to be asking is:
- What will the business bring to the community?
- Will it provide a positive impact on the community (teens, seniors, schools)?
- Will it provide new jobs?
- Will it enhance the overall aesthetics of the city?
- Will it generate an incremental (and positive) revenue stream?
All of these need to be considered. Sometimes an empty building is better than an occupied building . . . if the occupied building negatively impacts the community.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I'm sure it would bring jobs to have a 5,500 square foot pawn shop here. A space that size would certainly hire a lot of employees.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on one of my 'thoughtful insights.' However, what about the several other insights?
ReplyDeleteI simply don't see that an enormous pawn shop will add quality, value, or enhance the community in any way.
I'm simply a concerned citizen - and I'm here for the long haul!
KB
KB, I'm not pushing for the pawn shop. I doubt that I would ever shop there. I'm not on the Snellville City Council. If you visit the City of Snellville website, you can find the email addresses and phone numbers of Snellville City Council members. The vote on the pawn shop has been postponed, so that will give you more time to contact them. Good luck in your efforts!
ReplyDelete"Snellville's hodgepodge sprawl makes it apparent that any business that can afford the fee for a business license is allowed to occupy any open space anywhere in the city" is a generality unsupported by the facts.
ReplyDeleteA 5,500 foot construction is hardly a Wal-Mart sized building.
Highway 78 is hardly a run down version of Memorial Drive in DeKalb county.
Those statements are nice sounding, but reflect the fears of those who oppose a progressive, growing city.
I've lived here 30 years and am here for the long haul myself. Snellville was a quaint little town. It had a gas station, a Dairy Queen, and an Import store on three of the four corners of the main intersection. That's about all. But, that was then. Now is now.
Snellville's problem is the "quaint" attitudes of a small, but vocal obstructionist group of citizens.
I remember when there were cows in pasture next to Skyland Drive, also on Scenic Highway. That was about 16 years ago. The area has changed really quickly. Atlanta is now the 9th largest metro area. Expect more growth.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou're comments make me believe that you are not aware that the applicant is an EXISTING, local business owner. He simply wants to move his business from Point A to Point B within the city.
- What will the business bring to the community?
A: It's an existing local business (since 1994, 16 yrs), he is already impacting the community by being a solid business with a good reputation.
- Will it provide a positive impact on the community (teens, seniors, schools)?
A: See above, positive impact on the community already exists.
- Will it provide new jobs?
A: Possibly but the purpose of the move appears to be to expand sales floor space because he's outgrown the existing space.
- Will it enhance the overall aesthetics of the city? A: The answer to this question is in the before and after photos above.
- Will it generate an incremental (and positive) revenue stream? A: Unless you’re loaning him money and want to know if you will be paid back, the more appropriate approach is to look at the his history as an existing local business owner within the City of Snellville. He is a known entity with a good reputation and NOT an unknown start-up company or a national chain.
Brenda
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your reply to my questions.
1. There's a big difference between a 'regular' sized pawn shop and a 'super sized' pawn shop. I work down town and see the individuals they draw - and don't want that in my community. Also, why the need for new construction? Aren't there NUMEROUS vacant sites all over town?
2. If he's truly in need of more space, consider a second location - in another location.
3. Concerning the before and after photos, I see fresh coats of paint on the large pawn shops downtown quite often. And they deteriorate about as quickly as the quality of the clientele that they draw.
To the other 'anonymous,' I in no way 'oppose a progressive, growing city.' However, I do oppose development simply for development's sake. If we don't plan and monitor our development, we may end up looking like Memorial Drive.
I'm all for growth and development - we must have it! But it must be smart growth. And I don't believe that having (at one time) four used car 'parking lots' within 1/10 of a mile from each other is in the best interest of the City's development!
We must have growth and development, but it must be intelligent growth and development. If we simply grow because we can, then we are destined for failure.
KB