It seems that the citizens of Tyrone must prepare to oppose another high-density development. The latest proposed development includes approximately 54 acres, on two tracts running from Senoia Road to Tyrone-Palmetto Road.

According to Tyrone’s town manager, Barry Amos, 146 homes will be constructed on 40 acres and office space on the balance is being requested.

This is clearly against town ordinances where one-acre minimum housing is mandated. It seems that a developer has no need to adhere to any ordinance as long as he has the ear of the majority of council. This ploy may prove interesting because, as it is told, this acreage abuts the mayor’s property.

Here are some quotes from Mayor Sheryl Lee’s reelection campaign. “We have a choice of continuing our long-held vision for low-density residential development or embark on a new vision of Tyrone. I believe it is my responsibility to the community as your mayor to continue with the existing vision for Tyrone.” “It is more critical now than ever before to continue to protect the rural character of our town.” And, “Mayor Lee believes the citizens of the town should set the direction of the town, not the developers.”

It seems that, since the election, this vision has become blurred.

The people’s vision has not changed. The people of Tyrone, when responding to a long-term comprehensive study, stated that they prefer a bedroom community and that green space should be protected. And, 81 percent of respondents stated that single-family housing should be Tyrone’s direction.

In addition, the people stated that Tyrone should not provide sewer capacity to service commercial or office development and would not be willing to pay higher property taxes for sewer nor would they be willing to fund development of a sewer system.

And the people of Tyrone stated that they would not be willing to accept less than one-acre lots if sewer service could be achieved.

The statement made by Mr. Amos that Tyrone Elementary School is experiencing serious septic tank problems seems disingenuous. This problem is obscure and has not been addressed in a public forum.

Is this a tactic to garner sympathy for the imagined plight of our children or is this the course selected by the developers and the Tyrone manager to move the current sewer system approximately two miles closer to the proposed development site?

The majority of people responding to the comprehensive study do not want further development. Tyrone’s ordinances and zoning regulations do not allow it, no method of sewage was discussed, no mention of police or fire services that may be required, and no traffic studies were conducted. Nothing!

Only the desire to bend to the whims of another developer who will maximize his profits, donate his excess property for the town to maintain and then leave to repeat undesired development at another town, city or county.

We are asking that every citizen of Tyrone to attend the planning meeting on Feb. 22, 2007, at 7 p.m. and let your desires be known. The citizens of Tyrone must come together and inform our elected officials that this is our town.

Don Rehwaldt
for The Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance
Tyrone, Ga.