UCS Receives Approval for Special Use Permit for Proposed New Campus Located at the End of Wilbanks Road.

Last night the Floyd County Commission held a public hearing regarding the Unity Christian School application for a Special Use Permit for the possible new campus location. The UCS application was the fourth and last public hearing on the commission's agenda.

After waiting nearly two-hours through three hearings we were asked to present our case. The UCS application was opposed by two individuals from the Wilbanks Road neighborhood. Speaking on behalf of UCS were headmaster Glenn Getchell; board member, founding pastor, and parent David Harper; board member and parent Joel Holcombe; and current property owner Kelly Hudson.

The evening could best be described as a night of contrasts. Preceding the UCS hearing was a highly contested hearing in reference to a low-level sewer treatment facility operating in the Lindale community. The applicant and those in opposition were at completely different sides of the table. Although everyone remained civil, there were negative accusations from both sides. In the end, the commissioners voted to approve the special use permit with a few stipulations and the local homeowners left quite dissatisfied with the decision.

On the other hand, when it was time for the UCS hearing, County Commission Chairman Dr. Jerry Jennings opened by commending the students who had attended what was labeled by one commissioner as the longest public meeting he could recall. Even though people opposed to the application were in attendance and ready to speak, the atmosphere surrounding the room was light.

Mr. Getchell began the UCS presentation by commenting on the impact UCS has on Floyd County. He was followed by Pastor Harper, who spoke about the impact UCS has had on local churches and his sons, who have attended UCS since the school opened in 1998.

The two residents who spoke in opposition did so not out of disdain for the school desiring to locate in their community, but out of concern regarding the quality of Wilbanks Road and its entrance and exit location onto the Rome Bypass. Following the opposition presentations, Mr. Holcombe and Mr. Hudson provided the rebuttal to the opposition. Throughout the entire process there was an attitude of respect and even a desire to work together to resolve any potential traffic flow issues.

Upon closing the public hearing, the commissioners were led in discussion by Chairman Jennings. He spoke of his desire to see this project move forward and even enlisted the assistance of county manager Kevin Poe. The commission voted unanimously, with an abstention by Commissioner Chad Whitefield. Commissioner Whitefield abstained on the basis that he is the chair of the Building Unity Capital Campaign and his children attend UCS.

The most amazing part of the process was when it was completed and UCS administration, board members, faculty, and parents had the opportunity to join together with their future Wilbanks Road neighbors as a team. This newly formed team will work together with the county in developing a plan for safe ingress and egress onto Wilbanks Road.

To sum up the night, we were able to see God’s hand at work as the UCS board of directors continues to walk through the doors He has opened for them as they pursue this parcel of land. It was wonderful to see how a group of people could begin a meeting with differing opinions about an issue, but end the meeting not only on the same page, but valuing each other as teammates for an important cause. God worked all that out to make the evening end on a better note than had been dreamed of prior to the start of the meeting.

Once again God deserves the glory for all of the good He has done.