DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Following a marathon four-hour public hearing in front of a standing-room-only audience, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners decided to table a decision on a special land use application for Iron Mountain Park Tuesday.

Owner Craig Stansberry outlined his plans for the 4,300-acre project that spans two counties and, if approved, will include 1,000 treehouse-style rental cabins, a music venue to accommodate between 50,000 and 400,000 visitors, ATV trails, motorcross area and equestrian center. Approximately 1,000 acres would extend into Dawson County where a sporting clay shooting range and firearm training center are in the plans.

Half a dozen area residents spoke in favor of the project, but there was overwhelming opposition. Those who did not want the project cited many reasons, including watershed issues, traffic, insufficient law enforcement, damage to property values, environmental impact. But the most common objection was the project would destroy the quality of life.

A man who spoke in opposition seemed to sum up the issue when he said, “I like what we’ve got here. I don’t want to lose it.”

An attorney, who said she represented area homeowners raised several procedural issues and said if the project was approved, it would likely be overturned in court.

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