Why I Oppose the Hotel Rezoning Near Lindley Middle School by Cassandra Brown

As a resident and member of the Mableton 2045 Comprehensive Development Plan Steering Committee, I am committed to shaping a future for our city that reflects both community values and long-term vision. Veterans Memorial Highway is one of the most critical corridors we are reimagining, with the potential to become a vibrant, community-serving gateway that enhances livability, safety, and economic vitality.

Placing a hotel next to Lindley Middle School undermines that vision. This is not about being anti-business—it’s about insisting on the highest and best use of land near our schools. A hotel at this location raises serious concerns about traffic, safety, and appropriateness for a school zone.

If hospitality is the goal, there are far better options: the proposed Six Flags entertainment district, or the East-West Connector near the new soccer facility—both already envisioned as commercial and recreational hubs where a hotel could thrive.

This issue highlights the importance of municipal land ownership. If the city controlled more land, we could offer alternatives such as land swaps and steer development to the right places without compromising community priorities. We’ve already seen how poor placement—like the school bus depot approved on Veterans Memorial—misses opportunities to align institutional needs with community aspirations.

Mableton is at a turning point. Let’s guide our growth with intention, protect our schools, and make land-use decisions that reflect our community’s vision—not undermine it.

Cassandra Brown is a Candidate for Mableton City Council, District 4.