Why the CCRC Code Need Amending

We want to address the letters and robocalls that Isakson Living has been making to a many citizens in Cobb County.  Those letters and calls use scare tactics and are factually incorrect in a many places and we want to address those errors specifically:   

  • The effort being made is to limit the size and scope of CCRCs in low density residential areas, not to severely restrict it in all residential areas. 
  • Isakson could design a smaller Residential Senior Living complex, which is allowable in low density neighborhoods, and still meet the needs of senior living in East Cobb if that was their true desire  
  • Changing the code will not prohibit any future CCRCs from being built in all Cobb County residential areas.  That is a sweeping statement that is again made to scare people.
  • Plenty of appropriate places near East Cobb exist for the location of a CCRC, and this property is not a good location for many reasons, such as the impact on traffic, schools, and the environment.
  • A CCRC should be within five miles of an acute medical care center, by the roads customarily traveled by emergency response vehicles, because this will save seniors' lives.

The present CCRC Zoning Code was adopted in 2008 by Cobb County.  The CCRC code heavily favors developers, but neglects community rights.  We have representation on the Committee to revisit the CCRC code to make it more more fair for everyone.  To clarify, these are the items that our organization would like changed in the present CCRC code to make it better for all involved.

1. A CCRC shall not be allowed in Low Density Residential (LDR) or Very Low Density Residential (VLDR) areas as shown on the future land use plan.   It is already not allowed in Rural Residential (RR) areas.
  This will save suburban communities from being urbanized and overdeveloped.

2. The CCRC must be within five miles of an acute medical care center, by the roads customarily traveled by emergency response vehicles.  This will save seniors' lives, by being closer to acute medical care.

3. For CCRCs in NAC, MDR, and P/I areas as shown on the future land use plan, the maximum building height shall be 35 feet above grade.
  Note that there were no height limitations in the first CCRC code adopted in 2008.

4. No floodplains, wetland areas or cemeteries may be used in calculating the overall density of the development.
  These calculations are used in every other zoning code, so it is a mystery why this was not included in the CCRC zoning code.