CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners approved a very unpopular zoning change Monday that allows a wrecker impound lot to be built on 2.24 acres at the end of Helton Street, part of which is located in the City of Cleveland.

Property owners Don Payne and Terry Kimbrell requested the change from R-1 Residential to C2 Highway Business District in an area that does not have the highway access called for in the C2 classification. Although the property backs up to the Appalachian Parkway, it does not have access from that road.

Commissioners held two public hearings on the issue and at one, the meeting room was filled with area residents who strongly opposed the rezoning. Opponents said it would increase truck traffic in a residential area and endanger children. They also voiced concern that the business would eventually become a junkyard that would have a negative impact on property values.

The City of Cleveland has also voiced its opposition to the reclassification.

The vote to approve the zoning change was 4-1 with Commissioner Terry Goodger opposed. When the final vote was announced, one angry area resident registered her protest and stormed out of the meeting.

There were some conditions attached to the approval. The owners will have to use Campbell Street off Highway 115 West to access the property and if the property is sold and the usage changes the issue would have to come back to the county for a review. Also, commissioners said the lot can never become a junkyard.