View of the Tritt property barn from proposed Buildings K and Building I
Guest Post: While working with Concerned Citizens of East Cobb against the Isakson Living CCRC development plans, I had the opportunity to walk the 54-acre Tritt property, as part of a tour with Isakson Living's landscape architect to understand where the 11 mostly 4-story apartment buildings and 65 homes would be located in relation to existing subdivision homes, East Cobb Park, and streams including Sewell Mill Creek. I actually got to walk on the Tritt property 2 times because the first time not all the buildings at been staked out completely. Here's the CCRC building plan to show where I was standing when I took the pictures, so that you can understand the CCRC plans more fully, and see how the buildings would look like if this zoning passes.
I will say that I was against the CCRC plans before the tour. But now I'm overwhelmed, because the property is so beautiful, even in the middle of winter, and the CCRC buildings are much closer to the borders of the property than I thought. I realize that people need to live and work somewhere, and there's only so much space that can be saved. However, the scale of these plans is so completely out of character here, and very urban when compared to anything else in East Cobb. As far as I know, there are no 4-story buildings anywhere in East Cobb, so I was surprised to see so many 4-story buildings on the plan!
I will say that I was against the CCRC plans before the tour. But now I'm overwhelmed, because the property is so beautiful, even in the middle of winter, and the CCRC buildings are much closer to the borders of the property than I thought. I realize that people need to live and work somewhere, and there's only so much space that can be saved. However, the scale of these plans is so completely out of character here, and very urban when compared to anything else in East Cobb. As far as I know, there are no 4-story buildings anywhere in East Cobb, so I was surprised to see so many 4-story buildings on the plan!
Tritt property view: Stream, Hardwoods, Elm Grove Topography: The landscape is so beautiful, it's rolling hills with spaced hardwoods in every direction. I noticed some micro-zones on the property, and one of my favorite was a grove of elms. I also especially liked climbing to the top of the main hill, it's a perfect view of the area: to East Cobb Park, the hill to Glenside, across to Providence, and over to Hidden Hollow. I was quite upset to learn that 28-30 feet of 'ground' would be taken away to make it flat enough to build on. Why wouldn't the developers build on a property that is already flat? Wouldn't that be better for the environment? Cheaper? Easier? I was told they would 'replant' on this property after the buildings were built... But then why wouldn't they just replant after building on already developed property?? If they are going to cut down all the trees anyway, why wouldn't they purchase a different property that is already developed? These trees should be saved. I can see why this property was highest on the Park Bond 2006 and Park Bond 2008 list: It is meant to be saved.
Insight about the retirement concept: When I first learned about a retirement community on the Tritt property, I thought, how sweet, seniors can age in a beautiful forest near their grandchildren playing at East Cobb Park... but now I realize, all the trees will be cut down on the property, and there is no 'little' retirement community in the woods... there are huge multi-story buildings with homes so close to the next subdivision you could easily toss a football between them. Then, East Cobb Park would be changed forever by towering buildings. Even the donated land would run along the edge of 50-60 ft tall buildings that go on for the entire length of East Cobb Park.
Insight about schools: I had also been told that this 481-unit retirement community would be better than a subdivision because it wouldn't add children to the schools.... but now I understand if even 100 East Cobb seniors moved out of their existing homes into this CCRC retirement community, that would mean 100 homes available for new families to move into... and that could overcrowd the schools. Ironically building an 80-home subdivision on the Tritt property could mean less students for the schools! Of course, I would rather see this property saved, but that's another topic... For now, this development plan should be stopped.
Insight about the retirement concept: When I first learned about a retirement community on the Tritt property, I thought, how sweet, seniors can age in a beautiful forest near their grandchildren playing at East Cobb Park... but now I realize, all the trees will be cut down on the property, and there is no 'little' retirement community in the woods... there are huge multi-story buildings with homes so close to the next subdivision you could easily toss a football between them. Then, East Cobb Park would be changed forever by towering buildings. Even the donated land would run along the edge of 50-60 ft tall buildings that go on for the entire length of East Cobb Park.
Insight about schools: I had also been told that this 481-unit retirement community would be better than a subdivision because it wouldn't add children to the schools.... but now I understand if even 100 East Cobb seniors moved out of their existing homes into this CCRC retirement community, that would mean 100 homes available for new families to move into... and that could overcrowd the schools. Ironically building an 80-home subdivision on the Tritt property could mean less students for the schools! Of course, I would rather see this property saved, but that's another topic... For now, this development plan should be stopped.
CCRC Plan covers 54-acres Cumberland Mall comparison: I had heard that this Isakson Living CCRC would have more square footage than Cumberland Mall, and I can see that now. Honestly it felt even bigger. I walked over 2 hours during each visit to cover much of the property, and I didn't see everything. I walked around the perimeter to see the potential views from the 11 multi-story CCRC buildings and some of the 65 CCRC homes.
Directions to Tuesday, March 3 at 9:00 AM meeting at the Board of Commissioners, 100 Cherokee Street near the Marietta Square
Online Petition
Online Petition
Some extra pictures of nature on the Tritt property
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