Speak Out: Is Unincorporated Snellville a 'Lost Colony'?

Former Gwinnett County Commissioner and Snellville resident Curtis McGill spoke to the Board of Commissioners on April 2, referring to the 30039 side of Snellville as a 'lost colony'. He noted that he felt the area had little protection from crime and that zoning regulators "just ignore" the area.

For example, there is a large, decaying strip mall that was never completed on Highway 124, just past the Publix shopping center. 

Unincorporated Snellville, which includes the 30039 zipcode and is often referred to as Centerville, was actually once considered Lithonia. 

Crime, like most unincorporated areas, is higher than inside the city limits. The housing market is significantly worse. In August of 2012, 1 in 70 homes were in foreclosure in the 30039 zipcode, while 1 in 308 were in the 30078 zipcode. 

Today, 1 in 277 homes are in foreclosure in the 30039 zipcode, while 1 in 793 are in the 30078 zipcode. 

Definitely better than a few months ago, although the difference is still stark. 

--Let's talk. What does the Centerville side of town have to offer? What does it lack? Are you concerned about the condition of the area? What about schools? What would make it better? Tell us in the comments.--

Snellville Patch reached out to Dar'Shun Kendrick, District 93 Representative, for her take on the story. 

"He's stating the obvious," she said in an email. "North Gwinnett 'looks and feels different' than South Gwinnett. Now, we have undergone some elections and there has been a changing of the guard and, given these recent events especially, I am sure Commissioner Hunter is advocating for change.

"... Gwinnett citizens and the community can help Mr. McGill if they put pressure and show up to these meetings as well."

Glen Williams, former District 93 candidate and unincorporated Snellville resident, also weighed in on the story. Williams moved to the 30039 zipcode 13 years ago and said he has seen a lot of change in the area. 

"Not all of it was for the best," he wrote on Snellville Patch. "There was a period during the unchecked growth and rezonings from 2004-2009 where things were pretty crazy."

He agrees with McGill that the unincorporated area has not always received the attention from the county "as it relates to zonings that bring value or have created a negative impact as it relates to the quality of life."

"The reality of it is that we are an urban county with urban county problems that only we as residents can either ignore or address," he added. "There have been various citizens that have organized during my 13 years living here -- some visible and some not so visible -- that have worked tirelessly to work with the elected officials over the years to address our concerns in Centerville. With that said more needs to be done and it can only be accomplished through the community becoming more engaged and involved."

(Full disclosure: the editor lives in the 30039 zipcode.)

(Editor's note: this article originally stated that the Centerville side of town was once DeKalb County. That fact needs checking and was deleted.)