DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Nothing brings concerned citizens to a Board of Commissioners meeting quite like a rezoning request by the owner of a “clothing-optional resort” to expand the facility.

When Jeff Wasserman, owner of Paradise Valley Resort, appeared before Dawson County commissioners Thursday to ask for approval to grow his facility by 5.946 acres, 22 RV sites, 38 tent sites and six cabins, every one of the 161 seats in the meeting room was filled. Thirty-nine people stood against the back wall and many more stood outside in the lobby. In fact, Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford stood at the door to count out the final 39 to ensure the room did not exceed its 200 capacity. Outside the government building, it looked a lot like a Donald Trump a rally as the line stretched all the way around the corner of Dawson County’s Government Building.

Considering the issue, the crowd was very well behaved. The only outburst came at the end as the audience, almost all Paradise Valley supporters, loudly cheered the Board’s 3-1 approval of the request. Only Commissioner James Swafford voted against it.

Chairman Mike Berg wisely moved the issue to the top of the agenda. After the vote, the crowd shrunk to about two dozen as most everyone headed for the exit.

Six people spoke on the issue, three in favor and three opposed. Wasserman said he has attempted to be a good neighbor and keep the facility enclosed and private so as not to offend his neighbors.

Jim Hildreath, said, those who live or vacation at Paradise are a good group of people. “They are not what people have been led to believe.” Hildreath said there are doctors, lawyers, carpenters and many military veterans at the resort.

Nancy Cofield, who owns property adjacent to the resort saw things differently. She said she felt like the shepherd David going against Goliath and added, “I have nothing bad to say about them as long as they stay on their property.”

She complained that living next door to the facility kept her from enjoying her property. “I have grandchildren and I can’t use my property the way I would like because we can’t go outside without seeing a naked man.”

In the final analysis, the Board accepted the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the variance.