PROTECT EAST COBB FROM OVERDEVELOPMENT
In the March 2014 issue of the East Cobber, Isakson Living purchased an advertorial for the proposed retirement community to be developed on the Tritt property next to East Cobb Park on Roswell Rd/Hwy 120. The majority of the article stresses the need for an opportunity for local residents to age in place, a wonderful concept that I can support. The many wonderful aspects of our community will continue to attract affluent members of the Atlanta area as the population continues to age. However, crammed into the last three paragraphs, the meat of the proposal leaves much to be desired. There are three major issues that misconstrue the realities of this development: traffic impact, tax dollars, and jobs. For a more comprehensive review of the traffic study, please visit www.cceastcobb.com. Our January 6, 2014 blog entry breaks down the traffic study and shows that there were several invalid basic assumptions. By using a different classification for the study than the one they should have, which more accurately reflects the traffic presumptions, they were able to estimate a traffic density of roughly half the actual valid estimate. This results in a gross miscalculation that masks the realities of what this development will do to the Roswell Rd. corridor, especially when viewed in conjunction with the new Wellstar project being developed essentially across the street. Further, the article references the “eventual widening of Hwy 120”. Right now, there is no road-widening project slated before 2040. With respect to the argument on the tax dollar projections, the claim is that we will be adding to the tax rolls without adding students to the current school population. While it is accurate that this project will collect tax revenue for schools, unlike a collection of senior residents, they assume this “age in place” development does not add any students to the local schools. Well, if aged residents
(over 62) are selling their homes to move in to the development, who is going to buy their house? Another aged resident, or a new and growing young family? The sales pitch has been that this development is for locals who want to stay here. When they sell their homes, new families will take their place and will very much add to the local school population. Finally, the article addresses job creation which is an important and worthy goal. However this point underscores the problems with the traffic study which does not take into account the “hundreds of employees” coming and going 24 hours per day. In conclusion, the project in the abstract is a wonderful concept. Yes, it would even be a boost for Cobb County on a different tract of land not surrounded by low density residential zoning. There are two options: scale back the project scope or find more suitable location for the existing 748 unit apartment-style project. The density is too high, the negative traffic impact will strangle an already choked Hwy 120, and the scope will dwarf the surrounding low-density subdivisions. The donation of parkland is a great way to curry favor with the local community and my daughters welcome the additional area to play, but the “soon to be donated, if I get my way with zoning” land in question is designated wetland runoff and is unbuildable anyway. The sheer size and scope of this project make it unsuitable for this location. CONCERNED CITIZENS OF EAST COBB The Concerned Citizens of East Cobb represent thousands of East Cobbers who want the Tritt property to be respectfully developed or fully conserved for a park. For additional information, please visit our website at www.cceastcobb.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cceastcobb
P A I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T
www.eastcobber.com
EAST COBBER
May 2014 15