Varnell council OKs permit for cricket field

A resident expressed concerns about the games leaving them “no peace and quiet for personal time.”

VARNELL — The Varnell City Council voted 4-0 recently to grant a special use permit for the Dalton Cricket Grounds that includes several conditions.

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 and is popular in many parts of the world.

Mayor Pro Tem Ashlee Godfrey read restrictions that include no more than 55 vehicles on the property at 1140 Tunnel Hill Varnell Road at a time, and the vehicles must be parked a minimum of 25 feet off of State Route 2. There must be at least three portable restrooms on the property, which cannot have lights, signs or other displays. The property must also have trash cans available. No food can be served.

The hours that players can be on the field are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday through Friday from 3 to 8:30 p.m.

The property is owned by Alpesh Patel and his cousin Vishal Patel. Vishal Patel was present at the meeting and said he’s glad council members approved the permit.

“It’s been going on for over a year now,” Patel said. “Cricket is something we are playing on private property. It’s the only game we get to play in this area on our private field.”

Kelly Burgess, a Varnell resident, addressed council members with her concerns.

“It (the property) was listed as residential, and he (Alpesh Patel) stated that he was going to use this for friends and family,” Burgess said.

Burgess said she is concerned about the times of games and practice.

“They can play (during) our whole weekend and we’d have no peace and quiet for personal time,” she said.

Patel said he’s hoping to start scheduling games as soon as possible.

Shaka L. Cobb, Dalton Daily Citizen