Sandy Springs residents offered mixed opinions on the North Springs MARTA Corridor study during a second open meeting on the concept plan.
Planning and Zoning Manager Michele McIntosh-Ross said the city took the more than 200 responses in its first survey and made changes to the initial draft of the plan. Residents wanted to see more activities and a bigger park area in the transit-oriented development proposed at the North Springs MARTA Station property.
Some smaller greenspaces were added to the plan including a plaza by the retail space and by the MARTA station entrance, McIntosh-Ross said. Some natural trails would be developed around the stream buffer that is not developable, while a pedestrian bridge would extend from Peachtree Dunwoody Road across the creek and down to the MARTA station entrance.
Meghan McMullen with Nelson Nygaard, the city’s consultant on the project, said the city proposes creating a shared-use path on the west side of the street for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Open meeting attendee Glenn Rowland said he thinks the city’s plan is getting pushed through without residents having much of a say on it.
Rowland, who lives in the study area, said he doesn’t like the apartments considered for the MARTA station property. He said residents find it tough to get out of their neighborhoods onto Peachtree Dunwoody Road, and more apartments along that stretch of road will make it more difficult and dangerous, Rowland said.
“I’m worried about taxes. Who’s going to pay for all this?” Rowland said.
The $200,000 grant to perform the study is nothing compared to what the project would cost, Rowland said.
Mary Vorus also lives in the study area. She said she appreciated residents were included in the decision-making process. She liked the proposed greenspace.
“I do think the slowing of the road and the increasing of the pedestrian walkways is a must if we’re going to be a walkable neighborhood,” Vorus said.
She understood the concerns of other neighbors and shared some of them, include making sure residents have visibility to enter and exit their neighborhoods.
Ray Moss said the concept plan does not live up to a pledge made by Mayor Rusty Paul.
“Mayor Rusty Paul states that in the next five years, the city will protect and enhance neighborhood character and quality,” Moss said. “The proposal that we’re seeing tonight is the opposite of that because Sandy Springs residents are proud of their beautiful single-family neighborhood and their quality of life.”
Moss said MARTA pays no property tax to the city for its 27.7-acre site. He asked if the developers of the MARTA property would be taxed.
A Sandy Springs spokesperson told Rough Draft on Friday that if the development happens, MARTA would maintain land ownership and would not be required to pay property taxes.
“But, if the development use is corporate or private profit, they’re not exempt from property taxes. MARTA’s interest would remain tax-exempt, but any for-profit leasehold interests would be taxable,” city spokesperson Carter Long said. “They would also be required to pay fees associated with any project permits and City infrastructure.”
Residents have until Dec. 1 to submit comments on the revised plan and can use a survey posted online.
