MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — Hillwood South is planning to build a $250 million project in Butts County, and some people don't like it.
There will be three new buildings taking up nearly three million square feet next to High Falls Lake.
On Tuesday, more than 60 people from High Falls and the Towaliga Watershed Association asked county commissioners to help put a stop to the construction. But commissioners said their hands are tied.
But for some residents, it's just not that simple.
Mike Dietrich has lived on High Falls Lake for five years. Dietrich and his wife say they will miss their peace and quiet.
“The last thing we want is a bunch of trucks, the noise from that, the backup beepers 24 hours a day," Dietrich said. "It's just going to ruin the ambiance of the community."
He says other homeowners nearby love the view they have now without $3 million square feet of warehouse space.
“From that area all the way over to this area - it's a huge area, and you can imagine with all these residents over here that are going to be looking at this straight on,” Dietrich said.
Sharon Cloud is the president of the High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance. Cloud says she just wants to be heard.
“We just want them to understand the consequences of going through with this development and for them to see the value in our argument and that it makes sense for them to make an adjustment," Cloud said. "I believe there's probably opportunities for them in other counties."
The deal is already signed even though Monroe commissioners originally voted against it. Commissioners from Butts and Lamar County approved the project. Now, neighbors are taking their concerns to the state level.
She says they already have grants in place to snatch up the land just in case Hillwood South backs out.
“The Ocmulgee Land Trust is a good potential candidate to help us develop the funds we need to purchase the property and leave it for conservation purposes,”