Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Tyrone residents form neighborhood groupBy LEE WILLIAMS Fuming from a decision to grant a request for minimum half-acre lots for a John Wieland subdivision, about 30 people teamed up to stop similar developments that they say could destroy Tyrones rural character. The Tyrone Town Council voted May 19 to approve the 217-acre subdivision with minimum half-acre lots called Westhampton. The decision angered many. In response, the Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance was formed. This was in the works before the Wieland thing, but because of time constraints it was never formalized, Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance secretary Don Rehwaldt said. After Westhampton was approved, residents decided to push forward, he added. The Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance held its first meeting at a clubhouse in the Pendleton subdivision on July 31. Pendleton is the subdivision where many residents have complained to town officials about construction runoff that has spilled into their lake. Some say another developer and Handley Park is to blame for the problem. The meeting was called to determine if an interest exists in forming an alliance to keep the citizens of the Tyrone area informed about issues that affect their quality of life, Rehwaldt said in a prepared statement. Preliminary goals discussed included the protection and maintenance of property values, the timely dissemination of information about proposed changes that will affect Tyrone and the surrounding areas such as changes in land use and zoning, the improvement of the quality of life in Tyrone and the development of a means to allow citizens a full expression of views concerning future commercial and residential development in Tyrone, Rehwaldt said. Nearly three dozen residents attended the first meeting, including some representatives from established homeowners associations such as Pendleton and Southampton. Residents learned during the meeting that high-density development wasnt the only issue facing the town. Failing septic tank concerns in the town were even more pressing. One resident spoke of how her dog was a victim of at least one failing septic tank. A septic tank backed up in a yard. Her dog ate it, got sick and died, she said. At least one Southampton resident spoke of high sewer rates that are being passed on to them for tapping into the sewer system in Fairburn. Homeowners in Southampton are paying $100 per month for Fairburns sewer service. The attendees also discussed septic systems and the suitability of local land for septic systems; Tyrones agreement to purchase sewer capacity from Fairburn and the costs associated with the Fairburn sewer system; lot sizes in residential developments; the planned new library in Tyrone; and the town managements desire to develop the downtown area, Rehwaldt said. All in attendance agreed that the organization, through communication and advocacy, could have a positive effect on the towns future development, Rehwaldt said. It was noted that similar organizations around the state have been very successful in informing citizens about proposed developments that might impact neighborhoods and/or taxpayers and in representing the views of homeowners before government agencies. A steering committee was identified. The committee held its first meeting Aug. 2 to further discuss their goals, elect officers, establish by-laws and consider possible incorporation. It was also reaffirmed that residents of the surrounding areas of Tyrone will be welcomed as an integral part of the organization, Rehwaldt said. The next meeting for the Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance will be at 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at the clubhouse in the Pendleton subdivision located off Swanson Road in Tyrone. For more information call 770-486-7579 or e-mail CecilThyme@aol.com.
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