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September 2017 Edition
Don't Forget Senator Rhett!
District 33
Senator Rhett's Monthly Broadcast
Mableton Elementary S
chool
is only the 3rd school in the State of Georgia to be
STEAM certified by the Georgia Department of Education. STEAM is the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. And, that's not all! The School's Innovation Specialist, Alana Davis, has been selected as the Georgia Elementary Science Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statue Dedication at the Georgia State Capital
campaign
fundraiser reception
to support
the
re-election
of
Senator Doc Rhett
Monday
, September 18, 2017
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mary Mac's Tea Room
Phone: 404.876.1800
224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Officer who said pol
ice "
only kill black people" to be terminated
Source: MDJ News 
Ben Williams Cobb County SCLC
Coakley Pendergrass Georgia Community Coalition
The Cobb police officer captured on dashcam video last year telling a white female passenger that cops "only kill black people" is no longer on the county's payroll.
"If you're thinking that I'm walking up here to make an excuse today about the comments that we heard on the video, you're wrong," Cobb Police Chief Michael Register said during a press conference Thursday afternoon, addressing a video of a July 2016 traffic stop conducted by Lt. Greg Abbott. The video was obtained by the MDJ Wednesday night through an open records request.
Register said Abbott's comments amounted to a fireable offense, though the department was taking the proper steps to terminate the officer and had notified him of the department's intent to move forward with termination proceedings Thursday morning.
It was unknown if Abbott would be appealing the department's decision.
Return for updates.
A Cobb Police officer is on administrative leave as the department investigates a dashboard video recording in which he made racial comments to a passenger during a DUI stop last year.
Video of Cobb Police Lt. Greg Abbott from a July 2016 traffic stop shows the officer speaking to a woman in the passenger's seat who said she was afraid to put her hands down to pick up a cellphone as she had seen "way too many videos" of police shootings.
"But you're not black. Remember, we only kill black people. We only kill black people, right? All the videos you've seen, have you seen black people get killed? You have," Abbott told the white female passenger in dashcam video footage obtained by the MDJ through an open records request.
A portion of the video was aired on WSB-TV at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Minutes later, the county released a statement announcing that Abbott was on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Cobb Police Chief Mike Register told the MDJ he received information about the dashboard video late Friday afternoon. The incident captured on video occurred prior to his tenure as chief, as he was hired this June.
Michael Register
"I was taken aback pertaining to the comment that was made, and I immediately turned it over to our internal affairs for it to be investigated," Register told the MDJ on Wednesday night, adding that Abbott was also put on administrative duty, which entails reporting to work in civilian clothes, driving a civilian vehicle and having no contact with the public.
"I also requested that this investigation be done very quickly, because it only involves the officer, and you hear what you hear," Register added. "We are certainly wanting to be fair to the officer, fair to the department and to the community. But there is no context that will explain the appropriateness of these comments, and they are certainly not indicative of the value system that we're trying to instill."
Register said the vehicle's driver, a man, was charged with DUI as a result of the traffic stop. The passenger, who was 20, was also intoxicated, he said.
Though made aware of the video Friday, Register said an immediate decision on Abbott's employment could not be rendered as the officer must be given due process and the investigation completed.
"We want to make sure that whatever that we do with the employee is legal, and it is within policy. In my opinion, it is a fireable offense, but with that being said, we are following policy on how we address complaints, and we are seeking resolution on this very quickly."
Abbott is being represented by attorney Lance LoRusso, who said that his client's comments needed to be put in context. LoRusso also serves as general counsel for the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police.
"He was trying to reason with her to get her to comply with his commands," LoRusso said. "He was trying to deescalate the situation, and he was using her reasoning."
LoRusso said his client has "27 years of experience with an exemplary career."
"He's a highly respected member of the department," he said.
Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce told the MDJ he saw the video of Abbott's comments Tuesday afternoon.
"I was revolted," Boyce said.
Reached by phone Wednesday evening, Boyce limited his comments, referring to his statement included in the county's news release.
"I have seen the video and obviously have great concerns. I find the comments on the video repugnant and offensive beyond measure. I have personally spoken with Mrs. Deane Bonner of the Cobb NAACP and Ben Williams, chairman of the Cobb chapter of the SCLC and expressed my deep disappointment about this behavior," Boyce said in the release. "I have been assured that we will take quick and decisive action."
County officials told the MDJ that they plan to hold a news conference today on the issue.
The video's release comes less than 90 days since Register took the reins of the department, and just over three months since the department's review by the International Association of Chiefs of Police was made public.
The $93,000 IACP study was commissioned by the county last year.
Among the IACP's report's "priority 1" recommendations, which were deemed the most vital and pressing, were that the department "acknowledge and address" public perceptions of racism and discriminatory policing, which the report's authors said was the "root cause" of the department's strained relationships and lack of public trust with some in the community.
But the report mentioned several times that no evidence of discriminatory practices was discovered within the department.
"Overall, the IACP found the CCPD to have the characteristics of an effective law enforcement agency," the report states.
Earlier this month, Register led the first session of a planned quarterly series of "Faith Forums" with members of Cobb's religious community. Among the issues that dominated the session were concerns from black pastors that their parishioners felt officers who drive behind their vehicles may be looking to pull them over due to the color of their skin or other reasons such as their religious affiliation or immigration status.
Cobb County legislators weigh in on Confederate flag, Civil War displays
Source: MDJ News
This week, the MDJ attempted to poll all 21 of Cobb's legislators to ask if they would support a bill that would change a state law that Kennesaw officials say prevents a Confederate battle flag from being removed from the city's Commemorative Park, which is located at the corner of North Main and Cherokee streets. Sixteen legislators responded; below are some of the comments they made on the Kennesaw flag issue as well as the growing movement to remove other public displays that commemorate moments and figures from the Civil War.
State Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs
"The answer is no. Just because some snowflake is offended by a piece of statuary doesn't mean we change the laws of the state of Georgia. Kennesaw has more important things to do."
State Sen. Horacena Tate, D-Atlanta
"Letting the cities decide for themselves, I don't really see a problem with it. ... I don't really see a reason for the state to get into it one way or the other. Always I believe people have the right to make their own decisions."
State Rep. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth
"I am open to giving local governments more flexibility to determine how historic symbols are maintained on government property. However, what I am not open to is political opportunists sowing seeds of hate or silencing meaningful discussion. I'm proud that Georgia is unveiling new statues this week, not pulling them down," he said, referring to Gov. Nathan Deal's planned event for Monday to unveil a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Georgia State Capitol.
State Rep. John Carson, R-northeast Cobb
"I'd want to know more about the state law that's in place and study that (before committing to a stance). I would like to know what is the end goal of those pushing this effort to erase our history."
On removing other Civil War memorials: "If people want to remove those displays because they're offensive, I would ask if they're also willing to remove abortion clinics because those are offensive to me."
State Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta
On the display of Confederate memorials or flags in public areas: "I would like to see them gone. If the cities need the authority to allow them to be taken down, then yes, I would support (such a bill).
"I think the removal is just one step closer to trying to bring people together. ...When you walk past these things, it's a reminder of a time when people were being killed just because of the color of their skin."
State Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-east Cobb
Cooper in her response referenced the comments from earlier this month made by Andrew Young, a Democrat, civil rights leader and former United Nations ambassador. He called the monuments "a distraction" and told reporters in Atlanta it is "too costly to refight the Civil War," the Associated Press previously reported.
"I really would like to stand with Andrew Young," Cooper said. "We have more important issues in our state that we need to address, like our drug addiction problem and updating our adoption laws so that we can find permanent homes for many of the 17,000 children we have in foster care.
"I just find this whole issue divisive. I would say that most people don't even see these statues or these emblems. They just become part of the scenery and people drive by them and never even think about that, and so I think this issue is basically like refighting the Civil War - it's just a divisive issue that we don't need to be debating, because there are more important issues facing our state and our nation."
State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs
"I think it's great the (Kennesaw) city council is asking us to do it, and whenever we can allow decisions to be made at the local level, it's usually a good thing. I would love to see what that legislation looks like, but overall I'd probably be supportive of giving more control to the local entities to decide what happens in their own cities."
On cities determining whether Confederate memorials or flag displays remain in place: "I hear people ask, 'Why do we need to remove them?' I guess my question has always been, 'Why do they need to, I guess, stay?' I get the historical perspective of it, understanding the history and where we came from, but then I also understand we need to move forward at some point. Is it a burning issue for me? No. Is it something that I understand why we would do it? No. So I'm open to letting those local elected officials on taxpayer property handle how they want to deal with Confederate memorials."
State Sen. Michael Rhett, D-Marietta
"I don't think (Kennesaw) should take the flag down without going through the proper legal channels, and I think it's wise of them to work together to find a peaceful solution, to try go through the state Senate and get the law changed so each city can make that decision, whether they want certain symbols up or not.
On Stone Mountain and other Confederate displays or statues:
"I don't think we can erase history totally, but if you're going to have a monument like that, it needs a complete narrative alongside it," he said, adding that King's statue going in at the state capitol is an example of something that can help tell a more complete story of Georgia's or the country's history.
"I do support not having monuments on public property that were placed in order to glorify a false or incomplete narrative of history, or those that had racially divisive intent," Rhett added.
State Rep. Don Parsons, R-north Cobb
"I don't think this is the time to start taking down historical flags honoring the Confed-eracy or any of the generals who fought for the Confederacy. But I want to hear from them (Kennesaw residents), it's their city, something within their city limits, and I want to hear what they have to say about it. ... I would have to see what the law currently says and I'd have to see what any kind of bill would say before I could say one way or the other. But I would be very much inclined to vote for anything that would take away protection for the monuments and symbols that honor the Confederacy, and I don't think this is the time to do it."
State Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna
Evans, who is running to become Georgia's next governor in 2018, responded in the form of a statement released days after violence erupted between protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.
"(I) believe we should repeal any provision of Georgia law that restricts state or local governments from altering or removing local monuments or street names that glorify the Confederacy, so we can ensure that these memorials are given the appropriate historical context and do not glorify a hateful past.
"Overall, we must always commemorate history in context, especially around the Civil War and slavery. And we must never lose sight of the fact that slavery and the racism and state-enforced oppression of African-Americans that followed it are a terrible shame for our nation and we must work every day to eliminate the harm caused and finally achieve real equality for everyone."
State Sen. Hunter Hill, R-Smyrna
Hill, who is also running for governor in 2018 but on the GOP ticket, also responded via an emailed statement.
"Healing in our country does not begin with hiding from our history. I do not support the removal of historical monuments and would not support necessary changes in state law to do so."
State Rep. Erica Thomas, D-Austell
On Kennesaw's display of the Confederate battle flag in its Commem-orative Park: "I think it should be removed. ... I think it's very offensive, and I think that if people are offended and there is even a conversation about taking it down, that's what we need to do. At the end of the day, we need to ask the people, and if the people want to take it down, take it down."
But Thomas said that if the state allowed citizens to determine whether or not such a flag could fly on city property, and if voters weigh in and say they want it to remain on display, she would stand behind the local decision.
"We need to let the people speak on this. If the people say this is what they want, I will stand behind them," she said. "But until I see that, I want it down."
State Sen. Bruce Thompson, R-White
"At first glance, I don't think the state needs to change any law. ... We're going down a slippery slope right now. When we think that a flag or an emblem or a statue in any way conveys anything other than history and we want to remove them for a segment of the population, then we need parity across all lines. As someone who grew up in Montana, we have Lewis and Clark. They killed Indians. The Indian population should say those statues need to come down. ... If we start down this road this road of altering what was history and blotting it out, we're going to repeat history because whoever's in power is going to be able to represent what they want, and I don't think that's appropriate."
State Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna
"I would need to actually read the details of any legislation before taking a final position on it, but generally I support local control. If the state relies on local governments to make decisions on core government functions such as public safety, then it probably can make responsible decisions on things like statues and monuments on local government property. That said, we do well to remember and never stop learning from our history, including the ugliest of times that cannot be defended or erased - remembering and learning from that history does not constitute an endorsement of that history."
On moving forward, he added:
We have a choice going forward in how we use our energy: we can further the divide or we can take proactive and positive steps that take us in the direction of unity and make the strongest statements possible about who we really are and what we really stand for. The unveiling of the MLK statute at the State Capitol this coming Monday is a great example of such a step. Georgia adopting a state level civil rights law (one of only a few states in our country to have not done so) would be another.
State Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-west Cobb
"I think this whole discussion is precipitated by a single incident, and most directly goes back to Charlottesville and what happened up there. I do not think you form good public policy from a knee-jerk reaction. If it comes up in the Legislature, obviously the first thing you do is review existing law and then review in detail any changes in the proposed legislation, and you make your decision based on that."
On the Confederate battle flag being on display in Kennesaw's Commemorative Park:
"That doesn't bother me. My great-grandfather fought in the Confederacy. He didn't own slaves. Slavery was not an issue of why any of my ancestors fought in the Confederacy, because none of them had slaves."
Trump orders end to program protecting immigrant 'dreamers'
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday began dismantling Barack Obama's program protecting hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children, declaring he loves the "dreamers" who could face deportation but insisting it's up to Congress, not him, to address their plight.
Trump didn't specify what he wanted done, essentially sending a six-month time bomb to his fellow Republicans in Congress who have no consensus on how to defuse it.
On Twitter Tuesday night, he wrote: "Congress now has 6 months to legalize DACA (something the Obama Administration was unable to do). If they can't, I will revisit this issue!"
The president tried to have it both ways with his compromise plan: fulfilling his campaign promise to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, while at the same time showing compassion for those who would lose deportation protection and the ability to work legally in the U.S. New applications will be rejected and the program will be formally rescinded, but the administration will continue to renew existing two-year work permits for the next six months, giving Congress time to act.
"I have a love for these people and hopefully now Congress will be able to help them and do it properly," Trump told reporters.
Yet at the same time, the White House distributed talking points to members of Congress that included a dark warning: "The Department of Homeland Security urges DACA recipients to use the time remaining on their work authorizations to prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States."
Although Trump's announcement had been anticipated in recent days, it still left young people covered by the DACA program reeling.
"You just feel like you are empty," said a sobbing Paola Martinez, 23, who came to the U.S. from Colombia and recently graduated with a civil engineering degree from Florida International University
"I honestly can't even process it right now," said Karen Marin, an immigrant from Mexico, who was in a physics class at Bronx Community College when the news broke. "I'm still trying to get myself together."
Their predicament now shifts to Congress, which has repeatedly tried - and failed - to pass immigration legislation.
Cobb County Cities' Candidates for Office In November 
Vision screenings at select libraries kick off this week
Injuries from falls are a leading reason Cobb residents visit emergency rooms and vision problems are identified as a top risk factor for falling, especially for seniors. According to the CDC, the average hospital cost is more than $30,000 for a fall injury. To help our community address this, three area Lions Clubs will offer free vision screenings in September at five county libraries. The screenings are for adults and children, from six months of age. Lions Club volunteers use a screening device to detect possible vision issues that require follow-up professional care. Walk-ins are encouraged.
The free screenings will be held:
- 2-4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6
West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw
Paulding-West Cobb Lions Club
- 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9
Kennesaw Library, 2250 Lewis St., Kennesaw
North Cobb Lions Club
- 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13
Sibley Library, 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta
South Cobb Lions Club
- 2-4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18
Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta Street, Building 1, Powder Springs Paulding-West Cobb Lions Club
- 3-5:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22
South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton
South Cobb Lions Club
These events are part of Cobb County Library System's Falls Prevention Awareness Campaign, launched in 2015 with support from Cobb Senior Services, Georgia Department of Public Health, WellStar Health System and other organizations. For more information, please visit
cobbcat.org/falls-prevention
.
Get your Chick-fil-A at Senior Wellness Center starting this week
As part of a pilot program, Chick-fil-A of West Cobb will begin serving breakfast and lunch to the public in September at the Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs St., Marietta. All are invited to join us for the lunch opening on 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7 and Friday, Sept. 8. Regular operating hours for Chick-fil-A will be 7-9 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for lunch Mondays through Fridays, starting Monday, Sept. 11. The breakfast menu can be found by
clicking here. The lunch menu can be found by
clicking here.
This program is a partnership between Cobb Senior Services, Meals on Wheels Atlanta -- who provide meals to the Marietta neighborhood seniors through Older Americans' Act Funding -- and Chick-fil-A of West Cobb. The Cobb Board of Commissioners recently agreed to a two-year contract with Meals on Wheels Atlanta and a six-month pilot program with DC&J Enterprises, LLC to operate Chick-fil-A, with an option to renew for an additional six months to complete a 12-month contract.
Share your vision for Austell Road at community meeting
County staff is working to develop a vision for Austell Road and need your input to help design a neighborhood that is pedestrian-friendly, accessible and aesthetically pleasing. The first of three community meetings for the Austell Road Design Guidelines will be held 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5, at WellStar Cobb Hospital. This will be a great opportunity for you to share your vision and goals for Austell Road to help sustain and maintain a community that has a strong sense of place and distinctive character. These design guidelines will address a wide range of site and building design essentials, including streetscapes, pedestrian access, signage and other elements that will enhance the character of Austell Road. We
llStar Cobb Hospital is located at 3950 Austell Road, Austell.
Register for job readiness workshops; large career expo
Learn how to sharpen up your resume and interview successfully at free readiness workshops and then put those skills into action during the Marietta/Cobb Career Expo. WorkSouce Cobb staff will host Expo Readiness Workshops 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Cobb County Civic Center. Topics will include career expo success, resume writing, interviewing, netserving, job search over 40 and resume critique. Registration is required. Register by visiting worksourcecobb.org. For more information, call 770-528-4300.
The Marietta/Cobb Career Expo will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Cobb County Civic Center. Employers including Atlanta and North Georgia Building Trades Council, Bank of America, Cana Communications, Carmax, Caraustar, Georgia Tech Police, Hooters, Lockheed Credit Union, Omni Hotel, Verizon, Roswell Police Department and Walden Security will be in attendance looking for qualified candidates. The Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta.
Free caregivers conference to provide valuable insight on dementia
Caregivers are encouraged to register for the sixth annual Caregivers' Conference 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Family Life Center at Due West United Methodist Church. "Empowering the Caregiver 2017" will offer help, hope and insight into dementia care. The guest speakers will include a neurologist, dementia care educators, family advocates and a support group facilitator. There will also be a question and answer panel with the speakers, an eldercare attorney and representatives from Georgia Alzheimer's Association and Hospice. This conference is free and lunch will be provided. Register at
caregivers.echurchevents.com/step1. The church is located at 3956 Due West Road, Marietta
Community Calendar
South Cobb Regional Library
Barnes Mable House & Amphitheatre
Monday, September 11th,
MIC Board Meeting, Mable House Arts Center, 7pm.
Saturday, September 23rd, Wade Ford Concert Series Presents
Jeff Bradshaw & Friends, Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 6pm.
Monday, October 9th,
MIC Board Meeting, Mable House Arts Center, 7pm.
See website for daily specials, including: $15 Pay-One-Price Ride Special on Monday, Sept. 25, $20 Pay-One-Price Ride Specials on Thursday (opening day) Sept. 21, Wednesday, Sept. 27 and Thursday Sept. 28, $25 Pay-One-Price Ride Special on Friday Sept. 22, $25 Pay-One-Price Ride Specials on Saturdays, Sept 23 and 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (good till close), and $2 Tuesday! Everyone will enjoy our newest special - $2 Tuesday features $2 parking, $2 admission, $2 rides and $2 food bites!
For more information, call (770) 528-8989 or see our
website
. Fair hours are as follows: 4-11 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays, 4 p.m.-midnight, Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight, Saturdays and 12:30-10 p.m., Sundays.
S.T.E.A.M. Meeting
Saturday, September 9, 2017
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) Mentoring Academy
Saturday September 9, 2017
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Room 187
Attention ALL young men 7th to 12th grade:
Our s
pecial guest speaker will be
Joshua Dingle, an award-winning brand expert and designer.
Joshua Dingle is a multi-dimensional creative professional and activist from Philadelphia who is the founder of Music Makes Me Happy, a national non-profit who uses music and art to inspire social change.
A brand that started out as a popular T-shirt line - and has been worn by celebrities such as Usher, Brandy, John Legend and Janelle Monae - has inspired a movement of artists who take action and make positive differences in their communities.
Mr. Dingle has inspired thousands of artists through his movement in the US, Liberia Africa, and will soon be expanding Music Makes Me Happy to Paris, France.
Joshua is most excited about his new initiative, The HeArt Exchange and mentorship program by Music Makes Me Happy that connects local artists to youth in undeserved communities.
Meets every 1st Monday at the South Cobb Recreation Center in Austell
7pm
Meets every 4th Monday at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center in Powder Springs
7pm
Guns on Campus - Now What?
Students with guns? Faculty with guns? Staff with guns?
Is this the new normal now that Campus Carry is the law in Georgia?
Join Cobb Democratic Women as we hear from students, university personnel and gun violence prevention activists about how this law has changed college life. What are the questions, concerns and fears? What are the limitations and exceptions?
Included in the discussion:
Amy Jeffs, Atlanta Lead/Legislative Lead, Moms Demand Action - GA
Dr. Matt Boedy, Asst. Professor, English, University of North Georgia
Dr. Jennifer McMahon - Howard, Assoc. Professor, Criminal Justice and Sociology, Kennesaw State University
Bring your burning questions to this informative meeting!
Thursday, September 14
Golden Corral
3845 Austell Road
Austell, GA 30008
Dinner/Social 6 p.m. Meeting 7 p.m.
CDW Millennials' Brunch!
Mix, Mingle, and Mimosas !
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, 11 a.m.
800 Whitlock Ave. NW #124
Marietta, GA 30064
Hosted by: Chrystian Woods, President, CDW
Director of Organizing and Outreach, DPG
Surprise Guest!
Reserved community table has limited seating
First come/First served
*Additional seating throughout the restaurant
**Check restaurant
website for menu and prices
See you there!!
Questions??
Call Bev Jackson, VP Programs,
Cobb Democratic Women
678-499-9781
We are ready to GO!!!
Interested in Voter Empowerment - Education and Registration?
Contact Jessica Brooks
404.983.2986
Cobb Democrats
JOIN US!
Latino Leaders from across Georgia will convene with us
on Saturday, September 30th!
Please register today for this can't miss Latino Leaders Summit!
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2017
Time: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Georgia Gwinnett College
Hosted by Organization of Latin American Students at Georgia Gwinnett College.
Registration is now open!
- College Student: $15.00
- Adult: $30.00
- GGC students must contact OLAS for FREE registration.
Please register here:
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Subdivision Proposed for Floyd Road @ Glore Road
HEARING September 7th
The hearing for this application is now scheduled for
September 7th @ 9am. The new neighborhood would cover 47 acres of land with frontage on Floyd Road and Glore Road. The request is for several zoning categories that will permit the construction of approximately 65 townhouses and 109 single family homes.
Click here for a map of the property.
There was large turnout for the public meeting held by Meritage in June. Traffic, density and stormwater drew the most comments from those in attendance. Since that time, Meritage and county officials have met to discuss traffic issues specific to this property. The MIC Zoning Committee is continuing to analyze this application and welcomes comments from everyone. The MIC Board will wait until a revised site plan and a stipulations letter is available before taking a position on this application.
Subdivision Proposed for Burrus Lane
HEARING October 3rd
In July, the Cobb Planning Commission conducted a hearing for a proposed subdivision on 46 acres of land north of Veterans Memorial Highway at the end of Burrus Lane. At the end of the hearing, the Planning Commission voted to table the application and asked the applicant to make some changes to their plan. Last week, the applicant requested a postponement of the hearing until
October 3rd.
The last plan called for 153 homes with a pool and other amenities.
Click here
for a map of the area. The applicant is asking for RA-5. RA-5 lots are about a fifth-acre, whereas R-20 lots are about a half-acre and R-15 lots are about a third-acre.
Here are renderings of the proposed homes, which would be at least 2,000 square feet, with some ranch-style homes at 1,800 square feet. The project price range is between $270,000 and $340,000, according to the applicant. They have agreed to contribute $300,000 towards road improvements on Burrus Lane.
The MIC Board voted to remain neutral on this application, so long as concerns about density, better distribution of parking and pocket parks, HOA landscaping maintenance and funding for the improvements to Burrus Lane are addressed. The Zoning Committee will review the revised site plan and stipulations letter when they are available.
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