As citizens, residents and patrons of the City of Sandy Springs (the “City”), we respectfully petition The Mayor and Council of the City to suspend and reconsider the project known as CC-10 for the section of Sandy Springs Circle between Mount Vernon Highway and Hammond Drive (the “Project”), especially with respect to the following proposed aspects of the Project:

1.  Reducing the travel lanes of the Project from the existing 4 lanes to 2 travel lanes, 2 parking lanes and installation of a median. Although the City Center Master Plan contemplated some of these changes, that plan also contemplates additional roads being constructed (including the extension of Bluestone Road) which would mitigate the loss of these vital travel lanes.  As of this date, none of these other roads have been constructed, and therefore eliminating these vital lanes of travel before the construction of the new roads which might alleviate congestion is not logical. The installation of a median, addition of parallel parking, and reduced stacking for turn lanes will likely result in blocked traffic, frustrated drivers, reduced visibility, and safety risks.  We therefore respectfully request that the City of Sandy Springs conduct further studies and gather public input regarding this proposed project’s impacts before proceeding further.  The City’s own 2012 application to GDOT recites the lack of need for on-street parking.

2. The installation of three new sidewalks/multi-use trails along this corridor does not appear necessary, will result in the creation of significant new impervious surface, and will cause the City to acquire substantial private property at significant and unnecessary expense.  Although the addition of sidewalks, especially in light of the new City Springs development is appropriate, there is no need to create a new 10’ sidewalk on the east side of Sandy Springs Circle, and then both a 12’ multi-use trail AND another 6’ sidewalk on the west side of Sandy Springs Circle. While we have no objection to the multi-use sidewalk, this creation not only exceeds the DOT 10 foot width requirement and any potential substantial use by the public, but would link only to ADA compliant sidewalks (not multi-use paths) on the north and south ends of the Project (thus creating a “bike path to nowhere”). The August 17th public meeting demonstrated the strong opposition to multiple sidewalks in this location, as well as to the conversion of 2 travel lanes to parking lanes.

We, the concerned citizens of Sandy Springs, respectfully request that the CC-10 project be delayed to allow for further public input and for further study of the impacts of the project.  We specifically request that the CC-10 project be modified to:  

1) eliminate the 2nd sidewalk and reduce the width of the multi-use path on the West side of Sandy Springs Circle;

2) eliminate the parallel parking on both sides of the street and retain 4 lanes of travel; and

(3) delay any changes to the number of travel lanes until such time as alternative roads have been completed.