D e c e m b e r 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 4 , N o . 5 1
County adopts first transit master plan By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Commission gave formal approval Dec. 16 to its first-ever transit master plan, a playbook that calls for expanding public transportation services, especially to the elderly. Link Forsyth, developed through a two-year study of local demographics and public input, identifies current services and the future needs as population and economic development grows. It also sticks a toe into the waters of Metro Atlanta’s transit future, with tie-ins to rapid transit bus service along Ga. 400 express lanes when they come online. Plans call for possible transit hubs at Browns Bridge Road and at McFarland Parkway. “All this hinges on whether people are willing to participate,” Commissioner Todd Levent said. “If they’re not willing to participate, park their car and get on whatever ride there is, it doesn’t happen.” Speaking at the commission’s work session Dec. 9, Eric Bosman, vice president of Kimley-Horn consultants, said the goal was to establish how residents saw the role of public transportation. “That was really the key first question, is how does public transportation fit within Forsyth County’s vision and needs and goals,” Bosman said. The consultants received more than 650 surveys and held a series of virtual public meetings to gather resident input. Bosman said residents centered on three criteria: how public transportation can improve the quality of life for citizens; how can it be implemented as a balanced and complete transportation plan; and how can dollars be used wisely to get people to the places they need to go. Bosman said there are residents who
Dozens turn out to speak against funeral operation in South Forsyth By PATRICK FOX and TIFFANY MORGAN pat@appenmedia.com newsroom@appenmedia.com
PAT FOX/APPEN MEDIA
Xpress Bus, a regional commuter coach service operated as a partnership between the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and 11 Metro Atlanta counties, operates two routes in Forsyth County. Both originate out of a park-and-ride on Deputy Bill Cantrell Memorial Road and carry passengers to Downtown Atlanta and Perimeter Center. do not have access to an automobile every day, particularly seniors and those physically challenged. But, there is a market for expanded service if people will use it. Kimley-Horn reports the total number of jobs in the county is 82,408, most of them filled by commuters from other counties. Forsyth County is also home to 106,204 workers, 75 percent of whom commute outside of the county for work. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2019 Regional Commuter Survey, the average commute time for Forsyth County residents is approximately 48 minutes, about 20 percent more than the average for the region.
That’s partly because Forsyth County residents, on average, commute 24 miles, again 20 percent greater than the region average of 19 miles. The Link Forsyth recommends the county pursue several short-term goals: Improved marketing of the current public transportation system. This includes identifying target markets. Right now, the greatest use of public transportation like the county’s Dial-a-Ride system, is for medical appointments among the elderly and disabled. Extending service hours beyond the current levels.
See TRANSIT, Page 20
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Over protests from dozens of nearby residents, Forsyth County commissioners have approved construction of a funeral home in a commercial district along Peachtree Parkway. At a Dec. 16 public hearing, commissioners heard from about 15 South Forsyth County residents who live near the proposed business at Peachtree Parkway and Granite Lane. More than 100 partisans in the crowd stood up in support of each speaker who called for the commission to deny the application. Residents said they were most concerned with increased traffic and the potential for a decrease in their property values that a funeral home would bring. Arkita Arun said as a mother, she is concerned how it would affect her children and others in the community.
See OPPOSE, Page 18