SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — In January, the Sandy Springs City Council will decide if Mount Vernon High School can build four controversial light towers.
The lights are for their athletic fields and they’re near a protected neighborhood.
For more than 40 years, Mary Ellen and John Snodgrass have called the Aria West neighborhood home.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Twenty years ago, Mount Vernon approached the Snodgrass family for an easement to build their high school just feet from their property line.
The Snodgrasses agreed to it after the school promised to never put lights up.
But 20 years later, the school wants to build four 70-foot towers.
In a statement, the school said they obeyed a 20-year negotiated contract and the lights would allow more kids to play sports.
“If they changed their minds and wanted lights, I wish we could change our minds and say no easement,” John told Channel 2′s Michael Doudna.
Now, the school says its lighting plan exceeds local, state, and national codes.
However, residents like John and Mary Ellen believe it could disrupt the peace they say they were promised 20 years ago.
“Promises shouldn’t expire in 20 years. A promise is a promise,” Mary Ellen said.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 18-Year-Old High School Basketball Star Killed on Christmas Eve in Southwest Atlanta
- College Park born O.G. Maco dies weeks after self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Ga. 400 in Alpharetta reopens after being shut down for hours
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2024 Cox Media Group
