Several land rezoning requests came before the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission on Tuesday night that would greenlight plans for increased density, prompting public opposition. Another special use request for one property to become a short-term rental, also known as an STR, also raised public outcry.

Many local homeowners spoke out against rezoning in the Rockwood, Pinecrest, and Woodlake neighborhoods, expressing concerns that rezoning decisions could increase density in their neighborhoods, which would result in more traffic. They also feared the rezoning would allow for short-term rentals, which are advertised on sites like Airbnb.

The mayor and commission acknowledged that there is a lack of consistency with how STR rezoning applications are approved and denied. Commissioner

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