Wednesday, July 10, 2002

Mayor Steve Brown has just cause to "worry" the Coweta [County] officials will allow rampant development if the proposed [TDK Boulevard] connector is built. Without written safeguards from all parties involved, I'll bet my pension Brown's worst fears will be realized.

In October of 1998 I attended a rezoning hearing concerning the Moreland exit off Interstate 85 to ask what I considered to be pertinent questions regarding the impact on the city of Moreland. I had been a resident for 10 years and was very comfortable with the pace and rural setting. I was allowed to read the statement and questions I had prepared, and once finished, the three commissioners in attendance verbally "beat me up" for the next 20 minutes.

My concerns were traffic on the two-lane highway through Moreland and what restrictions or limitations to development were in place. Traffic impact on the two-lane highway through Moreland was not their concern. That was the D.O.T.'s problem, replied Commissioner #1.

Restrictions as to development? Apparently none, because none were given. This was emphasized when Commissioner #2 made the statement, "The development is needed for additional property taxes for the county."

I'm afraid therein lies the county's only goal. The only reassurance offered was when Commissioner #1 testified to the integrity of one of the principal landowner/developers and "whatever the regulations are, he will supersede them." My question was not answered and I did not feel reassured.

I also had made the statement Coweta County could take a lesson from Peachtree City regarding landscaping and new business conforming to and blending with the land. The animosity from Commissioner #1 was very evident when he said, "We don't need anything Peachtree's City's got."

One of the requirements I appreciate about Peachtree City is garish business signs are not permitted and the city has not cowed to industry by allowing decimation of the existing landscape.

Two excellent examples of Coweta County's plans for development are the Bullsboro exit and the Moreland exit. On Bullsboro they started on the west side of I-85 and cut every tree and leveled every hill heading for downtown Newnan. Then they did the same thing to the east side.

The majority of the properties at the Moreland exit are owned by only a few whose concerns do not include the aesthetics of the area or the impact on Moreland. The development has already begun at the Moreland exit and if D.O.T. ever does act on the potential traffic problem in downtown Moreland, the residents can kiss all those elegant oaks good-bye.

The petty political bickering in Peachtree City needs to be put aside until the connector question is resolved. Steve Brown, you're worried? You had better be.

Mike Loyd

mloyd0767@aol.com

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