Acworth approves 55-acre annexation, rezoning

The cleanliness of Lake Allatoona’s drinking water is a concern of many Acworth residents who expressed opposition to the now-approved annexation and rezoning of 55.5 acres from Cobb County into Acworth. A mixed-use development is proposed by Green Worx. AJC file photo

The cleanliness of Lake Allatoona’s drinking water is a concern of many Acworth residents who expressed opposition to the now-approved annexation and rezoning of 55.5 acres from Cobb County into Acworth. A mixed-use development is proposed by Green Worx. AJC file photo

In spite of many concerns voiced by Acworth residents, the Acworth Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 Nov. 1 to annex and rezone 55.5 acres for Lakeside at Cedarcrest, a mixed-use development by Green Worx.

Darrell Adams of Cartersville is the registered agent for Green Worx of Kennesaw.

The site is bordered by Old Acworth-Dallas Road, Old Grogan Road, Mayson Road and Cobb Parkway.

Former Cobb Commissioner Helen Goreham of Marietta presented a letter of objection to the aldermen.

Also, Goreham spoke against the annexation to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 11, noting this development calls for two lift stations that are in violation of a Cobb agreement with Paulding County.

Goreham told the Cobb commissioners this development will lead to an increase in nonsource-point pollutants, such as dog waste, into Lake Allatoona.

Also in opposition before the aldermen, Teresa Stendahl of Acworth previously told the Cobb commissioners that “unfair capacity” would be introduced into the Lake Allatoona Corridor, where she resides, with this development.

Another in opposition during the aldermen’s meeting was Tom Foster of Acworth who will reside next to the proposed subdivision. As he told the Cobb commissioners, Foster said this decision “would be a catastrophic event for the flow of raw sewage into Lake Allatoona” and “idiotic” to be “next to a drinking water reservoir.”

On change.org at “NO Sewage Pump Stations on Lake Allatoona,” 924 had signed the petition by Lou Miller as of Nov. 8.

On the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property line feet away from Lake Allatoona, the city of Acworth wants to install two sewage pumping stations directly across the lake from Proctor Landing, around the corner from Dallas Acworth Beach and Old Highway 41 Day Use and less than a mile from the drinking water intake valve at the Block House, according to the petition.

These sewer pump stations - expected to last about 15 years - can overflow frequently due to stoppages from improper usage and lightning strikes, being “disastrous” when sewage enters a drinking water source or a recreational area, Miller added.

Lake Allatoona is a major source of drinking water for the greater Atlanta metropolitan area and a popular recreational lake for boating, fishing and swimming.

Information: Georgia-register.com/16050094-green-worx-llc