Community Wins: Motel Near Lindley Middle School Withdrawn

A proposed motel near Lindley Middle School in Mableton has been withdrawn after strong opposition from residents and local leaders who attended the recent city council meeting.

During the public hearing, several residents voiced concerns about the motel’s proximity to schools, potential safety risks, and its impact on the character of the neighborhood.

The two-story motel was planned for 140 Veterans Memorial Highway, just 700 yards from the school. Residents, including State Rep. Terry Cummings, spoke against the proposed hotel. “The children deserve better. The parents deserve better, and the city deserves better,” Cummings told the City Council.

The Austell Community Task Force also criticized the project’s lack of a proper security plan and its mismatch with the neighborhood’s character.

After city staff recommended denying the rezoning, the applicant withdrew the proposal, and the City Council unanimously approved the withdrawal.

The decision highlights the power of community engagement in shaping development and protecting local neighborhoods.