In a busy late-night evening, where the city of Woodstock held a public hearing about three major construction projects planning to take place in a neighborhood called Cardinal Woods. 706 Robin Ct, 702 Ravenwood Dr, and 704 Robin Ct are the locations of the three construction sites for these upcoming projects. Most of the local residents went to the hearing where many disagreed with the proposed projects, spoke out their opinions to the board. Even with all the persuading and arguments made by the locals, the project was given the green light to begin.  

The energy in the building was high with mixed emotions from the contractor, the board, and the residents of Cardinal Woods. Many signed up to speak, to be able to say what they feel like is the right decision to be made. Most of the people who spoke did not approve of the future construction projects where they want to continue having the feel of a historic neighborhood, as the houses were built in the 70’s.  

Davyn Armas, a resident of Cardinal Woods, explained that “I think they’re just going to try to recreate Alpharetta. That’s been so successful that Woodstock is trying to imitate it. Which wouldn’t be horrible but it’s still not the small town that it started at.” 

The residents of this neighborhood were preaching how they wanted to keep the feel of a historic neighborhood and not bring the “current” feel of housing and neighborhoods. With a new home going up on 702 Robin Ct, residents are concerned about a new plumbing going under a creek that is going right next to the house. There was also expressed concern about the corner of this road where the house is going to be, where the local school bus driver cannot get around this corner without hitting the curb.  

Jamie Poss, a resident of Cardinal Woods, said this about the new house going up on the corner of this neighborhood. “Takes her about 3 times back and forth. Luckily there is just dirt there now so if she does run over the curb it's not that big a deal. But if they build that house there it will totally block her view while she's trying to back into Robin to do her 3 point turn around AND the possibility of hitting the sidewalk and/or house they are trying to build on the very edge of that corner.”  

With the approvals now in place, the residents of Cardinal Woods are about to have to face loud construction, machinery, and tearing down of trees in the neighborhood that they fought so hard to protect the stillness and historic aspect of the neighborhood. Most of the board members approved the construction project, even after hearing the debates from the local community. One property has a plan that seven homes will go on, and many of the residents disagree with the plan set in place.  

Chris Rogers, a resident of Cardinal Woods, explained that “He wants to put seven homes where one has stood for 53 years.”  

The residents of this neighborhood were overall not happy with the outcome of the public hearing where the board approved every project presented to them that night.  

The residents were adjourned from the meeting where some were crying, mad, and frustrated at the board members for approving these projects even after all the persuasion, the side effects, and them trying to keep the historic aspect to their environment is now about to be disrupted.