Judge requested to halt descendants of slaves’ push for zoning vote in Georgia neighborhood
A county in Georgia is seeking to block a referendum requested by residents of a Gullah-Geechee community on Sapelo Island, who are fighting against zoning changes that could potentially force them to sell their homes. The residents of Hogg Hummock, a small enclave founded by formerly enslaved individuals, are challenging the recent rollback of development restrictions in their community.
In response to a petition filed by residents and their supporters seeking a referendum on the zoning changes, attorneys for McIntosh County have filed a legal request asking a Superior Court judge to declare the referendum effort invalid. They argue that Georgia’s constitution does not allow for zoning decisions to be overturned through a referendum.
The residents of Hogg Hummock, descendants of enslaved populations known as Gullah-Geechee, fear that the zoning changes will result in increased property taxes and potential displacement from their ancestral land. They are pursuing legal action and a referendum to challenge the new ordinances.
Despite collecting over 2,300 signatures, exceeding the required threshold, the validity of the referendum is being questioned by McIntosh County attorneys. They argue that Georgia law does not permit zoning decisions to be reversed through a referendum, citing the constitution and state laws.
The outcome of this legal battle will determine the future of the residents of Hogg Hummock and their fight to preserve their historic community on Sapelo Island.