August 21, 2016

Petition to the Mayor and City Council of Sandy Springs

As Members of Sandy Springs United Methodist Church (the “Church”) and participants in programs of the Church on the South Campus in the Hitson Memorial Activities Center (the “Activities Center”), we 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”).  The Church has always been a good citizen and neighbor, making the South Campus available to the City and related organizations, and respectfully request that the City reconsider the Project with respect to the following proposed aspects of the Project:

1.     We object to the City of Sandy Springs’ intent to move the Activities Center driveway on Sandy Springs Circle toward the Mount Vernon Highway intersection, aligned with Hilderbrand Drive. This change will not only encourage general traffic from Hilderbrand to cut through the northern parking lot (endangering adults and Preschool children entering and leaving the Activities Center and Preschool), but will also increase the risk of cars coming south over the crest of the hill at the intersection colliding with  cars occupied by parents and children entering and exiting the Preschool.  This creates a safety issue that will endanger our church members and does not appear to have been properly considered by the City of Sandy Springs.  We therefore request that the current entrance location be maintained, or moved slightly south of the existing location.

2.     We object to the City of Sandy Springs’ intent to  take more than 40 feet of the Church’s property along  Sandy Springs Circle.  This significant taking of the property is the result of the City’s planned construction of  redundant pedestrian and multi-use paths, along with associated green strips.  This will also result in the need to construct a 17-foot high wall to be built along the south end of the Church’s property adjacent to Sandy Springs Circle, thereby forever preventing the Church from accessing this portion of its property from Sandy Springs Circle. The Church has proposed, and we encourage the City to accept, a modified plan that would allow one multi-use path for both pedestrians and bicyclists, would minimize any retaining walls, while still maintaining the character of the planned improvements.  We therefore request that the City eliminate the redundant and un-necessary dual sidewalks so as to minimize its intrusion into the Church’s property, which change we understand will have no impact on funding for the project.

3.     We object to the City’s intent to install 2 separate paths, intervening landscaping strips, and parallel parking along the Church’s property on Sandy Springs Circle.  These disjointed items will create visual distractions and interfere with necessary sight lines to ensure an ability to safely enter and exit the Church property from Sandy Springs Circle.  These multiple, redundant, and unnecessary changes will create hazards that will endanger both Church members and the citizens of Sandy Springs. 

4.     We object to the City’s intent to convert 2 of the 4 existing travel lanes to parallel parking.  The City’s original proposal to GDOT to obtain approval for this project stated that  such parking is not needed in light of existing adequate off-street parking – a statement which was made  before the construction of an 800-space, free, public parking garage in City Springs. Further, the elimination of these travel lanes, before the construction of replacement lanes as contemplated by the Sandy Springs City Center Master Plan along an expanded Bluestone Road, exhibits poor planning which will result in excessive congestion for Church members and the citizens of Sandy Springs.  This is especially true given the proposed installation of a raised median which will prevent traffic flow while cars attempt to parallel park along this clogged roadway.

We, the concerned Church members, citizens of Sandy Springs, and patrons of Sandy Springs businesses, respectfully request the following changes to the Project:

1) Eliminate the multiple and redundant sidewalks by installing only a single 10 foot wide multi-use path;

 2) Eliminate the parallel parking on both sides of the street and preserve the existing 4 lanes of travel until alternative roadways are completed; and

3) Leave the current South Campus entrance where it is currently located, or move to a mutually agreeable location further to the south, so as to prevent creating a hazardous situation.

Respectfully submitted (and with the expectation of being heard, considered, and responded to),