Hall County denies permit for sex trafficking victim rehab center

HALL COUNTY, Ga. - The debate is not over, but those against a proposed residential rehabilitation center for reformed sex trade workers celebrated a small win Monday night.

The Hall County Planning Commission voted not to rezone the 50 acre property along Weaver Road in Gainesville where Straight Street Revolution Ministries wants to build the facility.

"It's OK.  I understand the neighbors and the fears," said Todd Robson, the founder of Straight Street. 

More than a hundred people showed up at Monday's meeting to show their support or opposition to the project.

"No one person, not one parent, not one grandparent would ever choose to buy our land and expose their families to the sex trade industry and the dangers that accompany every single day," said Laura Klukaszewski, who lives on Weaver Road. 

Many neighbors expressed fears about the security of the facility and how it would fit into a residential neighborhood.  Supporters, however, said the facility's mission of rehabilitating young women who were victims of sex trafficking is more important than the concerns of individuals.

The facility, explained the applicants, would be a “Phase Two” or a second stop for women escaping the sex trade.  The women would all be 18 or older and would already have successfully completed a "Phase One" program before moving into the residential center for about a year. 

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The project would be built out in two phases with the first consisting of an administration building and just one home where four women would live under the supervision of a "residential manager."  The second phase, to be built 2 to 5 years later, would include as many as 17 home sites, each housing 4 women and a supervisor.  The site would eventually include a chapel, prayer garden and activity field. 

After more than an hour of hearing from both sides, commissioners sided with opponents and voted against rezoning the property.

"I don't think anyone here tonight is questioning the program,"explained Planning Commission Chairman Don Smallwood.  "I think the question is where's it's at and that's seemed to be the real problem." 

According to Smallwood, the Planning Commission serves in an advisory capacity and the Hall County Commission could override their "no" vote when they take up the issue at a meeting on December 8. 

"Just pray.  That's what I'm going to be doing--praying," Robson said after Monday night's meeting.  "We got a lot of people praying.  So, we've got a lot of faith.  So, we're hoping and trusting."