Church slated for demolition for retail building

The former sanctuary of Sharon Baptist Church located at the intersection of Ga. Hwy. 211 and Ga. Hwy. 124 in Braselton will be demolished to make way for a shopping center, according to plans submitted to the town.

But a cemetery located behind the sanctuary and still owned by the church will remain untouched.

Braselton Acquisitions and Development, LLC, is asking the town to annex approximately 3.39 acres that was once part of the church land.

Only tracts A and C are listed for sale and would be zoned general commercial if annexed into Braselton, according to plans. The cemetery (tract B) will not be developed or disturbed.

Braselton Acquisitions and Development plans to build a 6,733-square-foot retail building where the churchs former sanctuary is now located, according to the companys application. Its request includes few other details about potential development, other than construction will finish in spring 2013.

Sharon Baptist Church moved from the site in June 2011 in the wake of the widening and realignment of Ga. Hwy. 124 and Ga. Hwy. 211, not far from the doors of its sanctuary.

In recent months, the Georgia Department of Transportation has been clearing land and moving utilities in preparation for the $5.2 million project at the busy intersection in Barrow County. The crossing also includes a Shell gas station and RaceTrac plans to open a store and gas station in the area.

The DOT estimates that the major overhaul of the intersection will be completed in April 2013.

Sharon Baptist Church is now located on Dee Kennedy Road, Auburn.

The Braselton Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the annexation and rezoning request on Monday, June 25, at 7 p.m. The Braselton Town Council will also hold a public hearing on the planning commissions recommendation commissions recommendation on Thursday, July 5, at 4 p.m. A council vote is expected on Monday, July 9, at 7 p.m.

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Church slated for demolition for retail building