KENNEWSAW, Ga. — WSB-TV Atlanta
Kennesaw’s mayor called for patience in the debate over a controversial pawn shop.
A zoning department snafu allowed the pawn shop to move into town, against a city ordinance. Now, months have gone by, residents are frustrated, and the business owners have invested tens of thousands of dollars into Cruchelow Jewelry and Loan.
Residents hoped the City Council would revoke the pawn shop’s business license at a Monday night meeting, but that didn’t happen.
“Ultimately, the board really didn’t have the authority to revoke their business license based on this particular part of Georgia law,” attorney Michael Pryor said.
The Cruchelow's landlord is petitioning the city to change the zoning, so the pawn shop can stay. Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said patience is in order while due process takes place.
“It’s just a very, very unfortunate incident and we want to make sure that we do right by as many people as we can,” Mathews said.
Next month, the Kennesaw planning commission will consider the petition to change the zoning so the pawn shop can stay. There will be two public hearings before the Kennesaw City Council takes a final vote.
A zoning department snafu allowed the pawn shop to move into town, against a city ordinance. Now, months have gone by, residents are frustrated, and the business owners have invested tens of thousands of dollars into Cruchelow Jewelry and Loan.
Residents hoped the City Council would revoke the pawn shop’s business license at a Monday night meeting, but that didn’t happen.
“Ultimately, the board really didn’t have the authority to revoke their business license based on this particular part of Georgia law,” attorney Michael Pryor said.
The Cruchelow's landlord is petitioning the city to change the zoning, so the pawn shop can stay. Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said patience is in order while due process takes place.
“It’s just a very, very unfortunate incident and we want to make sure that we do right by as many people as we can,” Mathews said.
Next month, the Kennesaw planning commission will consider the petition to change the zoning so the pawn shop can stay. There will be two public hearings before the Kennesaw City Council takes a final vote.
