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Emergency response
times threatened by Target plan
As a citizen of Peachtree City
for several years I have serious concerns regarding the proposed Phase
Two and Phase Three development of Kedron Village Shopping Center. The
developer proposed to have the main egress to and from the shopping center
coming off an extension to Regents Park. There are a number of safety
risks that the proposed design poses.
First and primarily, there is the issue of emergency response times. The
proposed regional shopping center, which will be larger than The Avenue
or Wal-Mart/Home Depot, will bring customers from all over the area and
dramatically increase the traffic on Georgian Park and thus Regents Park.
If there were a fire or an emergency, it would be difficult, if not impossible,
for emergency vehicles to get to the residents in a reasonable amount
of time. Considering that a large percent of the residents are senior
citizens, I’m concerned about the ability to get timely emergency
service.
The number of people impacted by this design is further compounded by
the citizens that live in the three other communities that exit onto Georgian
Park. The other three communities include a development of small homes,
town homes, and the AMLI apartment complex. Approximately 1,700 citizens
will be at increased risk because of traffic issues around the Regents
Park extension.
Another concern is regarding the children in the neighborhoods impacted
by the proposed design. There are over 1,000 children in schools near
the development. The bus stops for many of the developments are off Georgian
Park and Regents Park. Large trucks making routine deliveries will be
traveling these roads. Given the types of stores and potential store hours,
deliveries may be occurring during times when children will be in the
area. Do we really want to expose the children to increased danger and
traffic?
The increase traffic poses safety concerns regarding the golf cart crossing
at Regents Park. Today, with today’s traffic levels, the golf path
across Georgian Park can be difficult. The current proposed design the
developer provided does not make any changes to the existing golf cart
crossing. The increased traffic from cars and delivery trucks would make
the corner more dangerous for our golf cart drivers.
Peachtree City government has recognized the dangers big boxes bring to
a community. Read the preamble to the big box ordinance. It clearly states
that additional crime, traffic problems and other strains to the city’s
infrastructure will occur. How can city government and staff allow such
a large center to be put here? How can the city staff support an entrance
off Regents Park that is going to put citizens at risk?
The developer along with city staff city planners must develop alternatives
that do not increase the risk of danger to the citizens living behind
the Kedron Village Shopping Center. Please find a different entrance and
exit into the shopping center other than the extension of Regents Park.
Sheri Steinwedel
Peachtree City
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