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[ethercat]

http://wsbradio.com/localnews/2009/09/sandy-springs-no-to-scientolog.html

This site is carrying the AP story.  Comments are open, but moderated.

[ethercat]

Missing the point
It is clear that some people commenting are not apprised of the issues relating to this rezoning matter. It is not a matter of denying anyone their rights, or mistreatment of a religious group, no matter how much attorney Woodson Galloway would like to spin it that way. The Church of Scientology wants to use the building in a manner that is inconsistent with the surrounding area, and inconsistent with the zoning regulations.

The building is currently 3 stories, 32,000 square feet, with 111 parking spaces, 30 of which are under the building. The Scientologists would like to enclose the underground parking lot for a 4th floor, increasing the building to 44,000 square feet, and reducing the parking to 81 spaces.

This would put the density in excess of the zoning mandated parking spaces per square foot. Sandy Springs has been willing to allow every request made with regard to changing the zoning, with the exception of allowing the basement enclosure, because of the parking space elimination. This would render the building unsuitable for any future use. They could occupy the building (which has been vacant since purchased by the Church of Scientology of Georgia in 2005) now, if they were willing to compromise about enclosing the basement.

This issue is more complex than it appears, and is being discussed in much more detail on the forum at TheTippingPoint.org .
By alias @ 09/19/09 06:46:08 PM

[Raven]

The majority of the comments do not favor sci. Either sci doesn't know about this yet, or they are overwhelmed.

[SocialTransparency]

 The comments section has an interesting amount of links for people to read. The comment that really hit home for this poster was, "Just look @ downtown Clearwater". The general public would need months to get up to speed as to the inner workings of scientology and its many facets,both from a legal and historical perspective. Then those individuals would come to understand why many are adamant about scientology having NOTHING to due with religion or religious practices.

[Alp]

In b4 sci comments telling people "not to go to those hate sites"