Residents from the Hollister community may get help from the county to fight what they consider has become a nuisance at the old Doespun sewing plant.
The building is currently owned by Native Opportunity Way, which is owned by Warren County Commissioner Barry Richardson.
The last conditional use permit issued for the building was in 1995 when it was owned by the Hollister Citizens Organization, Planning Director Chris Rountree told commissioners tonight.
“There, we can shut them down,” Commissioner Rives Manning said.
The matter will be sent to the Board of Adjustment for review, commissioners agreed.
While Richardson sent Rountree a list of uses for the building ranging from karate classes to domestic violence seminars, those living near the old plant say it is nothing more than a club which keeps them awake until the early morning hours.
Dia Denton, assistant county manager of operational services, said 911 calls confirm a problem. She said there have been fight calls, shooting calls and car chases.
“The music is so loud you can’t even sleep,” said Jimmy Richardson, who lives across the street from the plant. “It’s been going on for two years.”
People who attend events at the plant drive in his driveway. “Someone is going to get killed or hurt,” Jimmy Richardson said. “There’s no reason to wait until someone loses their life to say we need to do something about this.”
Shonda Johnson has seen flyers advertising BYOB events at the plant. “People throw beer bottles in the ditch. They walk up and down the road drunk.”
Johnson has witnessed a man in a wheelchair being pushed drunk. “It’s (not designed) for proper acoustics. It’s like a big warehouse. When they crank it up my windows rattle.”
An 87-year-old woman who lives in the area chains her yard and goes elsewhere when parties are held, Johnson told commissioners.
Mayo Mills has had people run from gunfire into his yard. “If we can’t have a decent rest where can we do it at?”
Residents have a petition and Mills said the the building is between three churches. “It shouldn’t be within 1,000 feet of a church. It’s kind of like Christmas at Wal-Mart,” he said of party traffic. “Something needs to be done about this.”
Bob Arrington said the neighborhood is otherwise quiet and neighbors get along well with each other but when there are parties, “The traffic is just terrible. The cars are up and down like a New York City street.”
Teresa Medlin has had parties for her daughter at the building. No smoking signs are torn down, she said.
Mills said following the group’s meeting with commissioners he was pleased with their response. “We need help bad,” he said.
Mills said he was bothered no one in the community was notified of the changes. “It should have been addressed to us. They needed to notify me and you and give us a chance to voice our opinions.”
