US EditionGeorgia’s highest court sides with slave descendants fighting to protect threatened island community
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled unanimously to allow a referendum after residents collected over 2,300 signatures opposing zoning changes that doubled home sizes in the historic Gullah-Geechee community.
- Georgia's highest court supported Black landowners, restoring protections for the Gullah-Geechee community in Hogg Hummock, which is at risk of facing tax increases due to zoning changes.
- The court found that the zoning ordinance was subject to referendum procedures per Georgia's Constitution, overturning a lower court's decision that prevented a referendum on zoning changes.
- Residents opposed amendments allowing larger homes, fearing tax increases that could destabilize their historic community.
- McIntosh County officials expressed disappointment in the ruling but acknowledged respect for the court's decision.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Georgia’s Highest Court Sides With Sapelo Island Residents to Put Land Battle on Ballot
In a win for Black landowners, Georgia’s highest court unanimously sided with Gullah Geechee communities in a long-standing zoning battle on Sapelo Island. On Tuesday, the state Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that had stopped a referendum to consider repealing a revised zoning ordinance passed by McIntosh County officials two years ago. A citizens’ referendum aimed at restricting development can now move forward. The court heard ora…
Ga. Supreme Court upholds citizens’ right to vote to repeal Sapelo zoning
In a unanimous decision issued Tuesday, the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the right of McIntosh County residents to vote directly to repeal a controversial zoning decision that would allow larger houses in a traditional Gullah-Geechee enclave on Sapelo Island.
Appen Media
capitol-beat.orgGeorgia Supreme Court allows referendum against local zoning ordinance for Sapelo Island
ATLANTA — A Georgia Supreme Court ruling about a zoning dispute over small homes on a small barrier island could have big consequences for a big state. The high court ruled Tuesday that a local referendum against a McIntosh County…
Georgia’s highest court sides with slave descendants fighting to protect threatened island community
Georgia’s highest court Tuesday sided with Black landowners in a fight over zoning changes that weakened long-standing protections for one of the South’s last Gullah-Geechee communities founded by freed slaves.
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