The Rome City Commission this week unanimously approved a neighborhood planning resolution and authorized an application for more than $3 million in federal and local transit funding.

Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Burwell Creek Area Plan as a resource for understanding neighborhood conditions and guiding ongoing public investment in the area.

City Manager Sammy Rich said the city is continuing an assessment of a possible housing development in the Burwell Creek area. Commissioners received a presentation about the study from Jeremy Gray of Mosaic Community Planning during a caucus session before the meeting.

Commissioner Robinson made the motion to adopt the plan, with Commissioner McDaniel seconding.

The commission also unanimously approved an application for federal and state funding under Section 5307 for the Rome Transit System.

The request includes $2.7 million for transit operations. Half, or $1.35 million, would come from the federal government, with the city providing the remaining $1.35 million.

The application also seeks $400,000 in capital funding. Under the proposed funding structure, the federal government would provide $320,000, the state would contribute $40,000 and the City of Rome would provide $40,000.

Commissioner Fisher made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Collins.

Three special-use permit and rezoning requests were also given for first reading:

  • SUP26-09-02: A request for a special-use permit for an independent sober living home/peer support facility at 4 East 9th Street. The property is zoned High Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions by an 8-0 vote.
  • Z/SUP26-07-01: A request to rezone 20 Ford Street from Multi-family Residential to Suburban Residential and obtain a special-use permit for a manufactured home. The Planning Commission recommended approval of both requests, 8-0.
  • Z26-09-01: A request to rezone 63 Old Lindale Road from Multi-family Residential to Suburban Residential. The Planning Commission recommended approval, 8-0.

Several transportation and pedestrian safety projects were also discussed.

At the intersection of Braham Avenue and Grover Street, stop signs are being raised to the required seven-foot height, and stop bars are being painted. A speed study is also planned for the area.

Improvements are also underway at Cedar Avenue and East 20th Street near East Rome Baptist Church. Stop signs at that intersection are being raised, and a crosshatched area will be installed on part of the wide roadway to improve pedestrian safety.

Residents discuss data centers and public authorities

Kristie Miner of the Summerville Park neighborhood again addressed commissioners, thanking them for their discussion during caucus concerning data centers.

Miner referenced the recent news that a proposed data center at the former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital property had been canceled and would not move forward at that location at this time. She noted that the agreement for the proposed project was made by the Development Authority rather than the City Commission.

Miner also discussed the role of development authorities and other public authorities in Georgia. Citing a 2004 publication in the New Georgia Encyclopedia by Edwin L. Jackson of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, she raised concerns about decisions concerning major community issues being made by development authorities rather than elected officials.

Commission revisits 1942 Roland Hayes incident

Russell McClanahan also addressed the commission regarding the 1942 arrest of internationally known singer Roland Hayes during an incident on Broad Street in Rome.

McClanahan has previously provided commissioners with information about the incident, which involved Hayes, a local business and the Rome Police Department. According to accounts cited during the meeting, Hayes was arrested following an alleged violation of racial protocols in place at the time involving his wife.

Accounts of what happened during Hayes’ arrest differ. McClanahan referenced a biography of Hayes that attributes the physical assault against Hayes to the Rome Police Department. He has previously asked the city to issue an apology for the incident.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the issue prompted approximately 22 minutes of discussion involving McClanahan, Mayor Bojo and Commissioners McDaniel, Collins, Hixon and Robinson.

McDaniel cited other historical accounts, including a New York Times report published shortly after the incident. McDaniel noted that, according to that account, Hayes said the person who struck him while he was in police custody was not wearing a police uniform.

The discussion reflected differing views among commissioners about whether the city should issue an apology for the 84-year-old incident.

McDaniel also noted that the commission’s General Administration Committee had previously spent approximately an hour and 40 minutes discussing the matter. The committee voted to ask the local history museum to consider a more extensive display about Hayes, with an emphasis on his musical career and accomplishment