According to news sources, a quaint shopping area on St. Simons Island in the Pier Village shopping district is planned to be demolished and replaced by a 20,000 square-foot art complex. The area is located at the corner of Beachview Drive and Mallery Street and is filled with colorful shops.
An the application was filed that revealed the plans for the shopping area with the Community Development Department of Glynn County. The application, which was filed on Feb. 24, includes plans to tear down the existing shops to make way for a single, large art complex and museum. Shopkeepers in the Pier Village Market received notice by email that they would need to vacate their businesses by May. Many stated that they hope to find new locations elsewhere on the island.
Sandy Vacation LLC purchased almost the entire block in April of 2019, following a dispute that made its way to the Georgia Supreme Court. The owners of the property informed the shopkeepers in Oct. 2019 that they would likely be required to vacate the premises in May. While Sandy Vacation LLC owns almost all of the block, it does not own the building in which Simons Gallery, Gifts, and Antiques is located.
Land use disputes sometimes arise when developers plan projects that will change the nature of an area. Developers who run into opposition to their planned projects and people who object to them might benefit from seeking the help of experienced land use and zoning attorneys. The lawyers might represent their clients at hearings before zoning boards to try to protect their interests. They may help their clients to seek variances if they are needed. If they receive an unfavorable decision, the attorneys might litigate the matters on behalf of their clients through the appeals process.