A great idea.

A great idea, on the contrary not in my backyard, was the sentiment Thursday night as a standing-room-only throng voiced opposition to affordable housing in Gautier's Hickory Hills neighborhood.

Habitat For Humanity was scheduled to ask for a square-footage variance from the Planning Commission, unless Field Operations Director Kent Adcock withdrew the entreaty at the start of the meeting. "Habitat For Humanity has always demonstrated sensitivity to communities," Adcock said of the withdrawal.

The variance would have dropp the square-foot requirement from 1325 square feet to 1100 which residents felt would abridge their property values. But residents voiced further opposition to the HFH progress to maturity

"We're more concerned about our community than the square footage. propose it in Shell Landing," resident Wade Hill said, garnering applause