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The Bainbridge-Decatur County Planning Commission met Tuesday afternoon for their regularly scheduled meeting. One of the items on the agenda was resident Tereza Toole, who requested a zoning change for her properties on Avenue C from the Urban Residential 9 classification to the Light Industrial classification, for the purpose of creating an auto repair shop for her company, T & Y Imports LLC.

The shop would, if granted, be used for repairing, or “flipping” used cars and storing them for sale.

Ultimately, the planning commission denied her request, as it was, according to Community Development Director Steve O’Neil, “…not in conformity with our comprehensive plan for that area.”

The plan had been for that area to remain residential, as light industrial does not typically allow much residential use. They also cited potential concerns of neighbors having something like a car shop next door.

“Since they decided to build a landfill across the street, I don’t see why it’s a big deal to have a shop to keep cars,” Toole said.

Toole cited the frequent traffic and noise from the landfill as issues with the area.

“I assure you I would have never bought property there if I’d known they were going to put a landfill across the street,” she said.

Despite the Commission denying and recommending denial to the City Council for next week’s meeting, they did say they would look more into the zoning issue, as well as acquire input from neighbors.

“I respect their decision,” Toole finished. “Stuff like this can’t happen overnight. I was told it was a long shot.”