1 2016 Woodmont Golf & Country Club Community Meeting August 31, 2016
2 Introduction of Guest SpeakersSheriff Frank Reynolds Sergeant Jeff Turner Steve West, Commissioner, District 1 Geoff Morton, County Engineer Margaret Stallings, Principal Planner
3 Neighborhood Entrance UpdateRoundabout is the proposed for the intersection of East Cherokee Dr/Gaddis Rd/Chadwyck La Project timeline: Step 1: Problem Identification: traffic signal warrant study and intersection analysis was conducted. Step 2: Concept planning: roundabout versus conventional intersection improvement with left and right turn lanes and traffic signal were analyzed Step 3: Engineering design of the project Step 4: Right-of-way acquisition (currently taking place) Step 5: Construction Resident Concerns: - HOA representatives should be included on the impact of the project to the community, and informed of timeline and status of the project - Pedestrian Safety - Beautification Standards (cohesiveness of roundabout center to existing entrance, HOA may engage landscape architect to provide uniform plan) - Work hour restrictions (school schedule conflicts, etc.) - Replacement in kind for landscape modifications Roundabout Reduces speed at all times through intersection Accidents are less severe No left-turn movements Provide pedestrian refuge islands at crosswalks Conventional Signalized Intersection Will not reduce speed on ECD when light is green Still includes left-turn movements Pedestrians crossing 4 lanes without refuge Est. construction cost $250K more than roundabout
4 Proposed Roundabout at intersection of EProposed Roundabout at intersection of E.Cherokee Drive/Gaddis Road/Chadwyck Lane Pedestrian Crosswalk
5 What can be done about the speeding within the community?Residential streets typically don’t meet state requirements for a radar permit. Requirements include sight distance minimums, straight-of-way minimums and roadway grade minimum criteria. The County handles neighborhood speeding concerns through a Neighborhood Traffic Control Policy, including a petition process. The petition process helps to establish the desire of the community to seek a solution for speeding concerns. The County policy is posted on the county website “Neighborhood Traffic County Policy” In the past the County has received Stop sign requests for multi-way stops on Grandmar Chase at both Laurelwood Court and Ridgemoor Trace. Each area has a service area requirement of 70% signatures. A traffic study will assist in identifying the best solution for speeding issues. Traffic study will evaluate # of cars and speed of cars
6 Previous attempts at getting stop signs within community:Grandmar Chase at Laurelwood Court: service area is both the yellow and pink area on the map. Grandmar Chase at Ridgemoor Trace: service area is the pink on the map
7 Condition of Walking Paths on Gaddis RoadQuestion: The hill on Gaddis (between Grand Oaks and the Golf Course) is in less than ideal condition. There is an erosion problem. This is a safety concern for residents. What can be done? Response: Short-term – a work order has been assigned to the Roads & Bridges Department to fill in the low areas and install sod with staples to hold it down. Should be done this fall. Long –term – would need to install storm drainage system with inlets, piping and curb & gutter. No time frame on that. The sidewalk on the Gaddis hill is broken in places and is a tripping hazard. Response: Upon review it was found that the sidewalk is in good condition; just a few settled slabs. The County has a contractor that will grind down the tripping hazards. A work order has been issued. In the future, the HOA property manager (Chris Hyde, Fieldstone) can contact the Roads & Bridges Department directly with issues such as this.
8 Canton Growth & DevelopmentQuestion: Update on traffic plan for getting to Canton Marketplace Response: SR 20 project is being sponsored and managed by the Georgia DOT Plan is to widen along existing centerline First phase – 575 to Scott Road – GDOT forecasts a FY 2017 construction Next phases: Scott Road to Union Hill Road Union Hill Road to East Cherokee Drive East Cherokee Drive to SR 369 All have an estimated construction forecast for FY 2019 Please provide an update on the growth in Cherokee County. Is Canton attracting business and / or residential growth? Response pending from Steve West What is the status of Veteran’s Memorial Park? Will there be access to the park via bike or walking trails?
9 Planning and Land Use Question:Can the HOA be given advance notification of zoning changes or request for zoning changes for adjacent properties to our community? What are the pending or recent rezoning areas? Response: Yes, the HOA can be added to the Interested Parties List for Commission District 1. Applicants send invitations for their Public Participation Meetings to all property owners within 750ft and the Interested Parties List for that district. These meetings are a pre-requisite to submitting a rezoning application. 2 active cases nearby – Rosewood Active Adult Communities (9/20 BOC meeting) & Georgia-Tennessee Development Partner (9/6 PC Public Hearing) There was a zoning request for a crematory in That was defeated due to resident response. The rumor is that there will be another attempt at getting a crematory approved. Please address. Planning and Land Use has not heard from the property owner about rezoning again in the last 12 months. What is the zoning for the area below the tennis courts on Gaddis Road? The builder is looking to develop this area and we would like to understand what the plan is for this property. This area is zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development) as part of the original rezoning for Woodmont. The developer has met with county staff a couple of times to review preliminary plans. They are considering a small-lot layout aimed at the active adult market that is similar to Cadence. Pulte just changed the price point for the Overlook Phase 1 and Phase 2. This change will impact both the style and price point for these lots. We are concerned about the impact to our property values since the price point is considerably cheaper. Zoning regulations provide the requirements for builders pertaining to lot size and building setbacks. Zoning regulations do not typically govern the architectural style, exterior materials, building size or price point for residential development.
10 Residential Safety ConcernsQuestion: What are your goals for partnering with the community through Neighborhood Watch? What can we do to be more effective in our Neighborhood Watch efforts? Response: Response pending from Frank Reynolds or Jeff Turner The neighborhood patrols have been effective at discouraging vandalistic behavior. Please provide an overview of the patrol activity within the community. What can be done to address the firing of weapons from adjacent property owners who are not Woodmont residents? Use of firearms is permitted by residents of Cherokee county. There are limitations for residents to the avoid nuisance behavior and ensure that the appropriate safety measures are in place for lots in close proximity. If either of these areas appears to be non- compliant, deputy officers can evaluate the situation and respond accordingly. What are the rules around soliciting? There is a lack of understanding as to whether door-to-door soliciting is permitted. Soliciting :County Ordinance enforced by Marshall's Office. 1. It is permitted with a County issued permit. Solicitor’s have to apply with County and are issued a permit with their picture on it. This is good for selling items. If we are called we ask for permit and either tell them to contact county or call Marshall's Office out if they don't have one. If they have permit they can continue. 2. Other soliciting that does not need permit is religions and political. This falls under freedom of speech act. If we are called out. We check them out and let them continue. We can't make them leave.
11 Residential Safety ConcernsQuestion: What is the status of the county jail? What is the main reason for arrests in Canton? Response: There are currently 650 prisoners in a 600-bed jail. The projections are that the inmate population will increase to 700 prisoners by the end of the year. What is the protocol for addressing parking issues on the street? We understand that the streets of Woodmont are county roads and governance for parking issues rests with the Marshal. The optimal solution would be to partner with the HOA to inform residents of the guidelines for parking on the street.