Concorde Fire Soccer Club Withdraws Special Land Use Application

Concord Fire Soccer Club withdrew its application for a special land use permit to build soccer fields off Johnson Ferry Road Monday afternoon, citing that the group will work with the county to pursue the use of existing park space for the development.

"We’re not in the business in trying to stir up neighborhood opposition, obviously people didn't want it there and we're trying to explore other options," said Concorde's attorney Kathy Zickert. "If we can do it somewhere else, then we're more than willing to do it."

Concorde Fire Soccer Club's controversial decision to build two soccer fields, a one story 2,500 square-foot clubhouse, and 150 parking spaces in a residential district off Johnson Ferry Road upset neighbors who lived near or adjacent to the property. They expressed concerns that the new facility would contribute to the already congested traffic along the two-lane road, increase noise, and disturb the environment located on a flood plain.

Bob Lundsten, Chief of Staff for District 1 Commissioner Elaine Boyer, said withdrawing the application means that Concorde Fire will not pursue developing the property off Johnson Ferry Road. The item will, however, remain on the agenda, he said, for the upcoming planning and commission meetings scheduled for Sept. 8 and Sept. 27, respectively. Lundsten said the commissioners have the option to accept the withdrawal, deny the application or approve the application.

In July, the County Commissioners voted to defer the application following a series of budget hearings. Then earlier this month, the District 1 DeKalb County Community Council unanimously voted to recommend the denial of Concord Fire Soccer Club's special land use permit.

Lundsten said he will meet with Concorde representatives Tuesday morning to begin discussing cost and potential locations throughout the county.