Hahira just put a three week moratorium on development from its only stoplight west along U.S. 122 to Interstate 75:

The new development regulations were proposed in light of plans for the Gateway to Hahira project, which include a Harveys Supermarket. While the developer for the project has promised that its design will match the integrity of the small town, downtown atmosphere, there are no regulatory provisions in place to ensure this.

“During a previous work session, council members learned that there could be design overlay guidelines adopted along that corridor,” Sumner said. “Therefore, regulations are being developed and will go to the planning commission before they are presented to the council for consideration. This moratorium (or hold) just ensures that we have time to adopt the guidelines at the November meeting before anything is done along the gateway corridor.”

Or they could just trust the developers of a project bigger than downtown Hahira that it will preserve the Mayberry character of Hahira. The Lowndes County Real Estate database shows that Hahira Gateway LLC owns much more land north of 122 than it does in the angle south of 122.

As the developers say,

Gateway to Hahira will have major impact on community

Harveys supermarket will be building a store on Highway 122 , part of a much larger development. Plans for the Gateway to Hahira project include the popular grocery store plus dozens of retailers, restaurants, and other commercial businesses.

In addition to the commercial aspect of the Gateway, single-family homes, villa duplexes and apartments are part of the overall development plan.

The developers can’t be expected to represent the people of Hahira.

Update: The size of the proposed development is actually larger than that one plot of land:

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