Residents near one of Roswell’s oldest parks say nearby development threatens the central element of their community and may create eyesores and more traffic in their quiet neighborhood.
Within the past year, residents say they have learned the city wants to plant a 10 million-gallon water tank somewhere in Waller Park and eventually build a road that would allow through-traffic from Ga. 9 to pass near playgrounds and walking trails.
They also note the Roswell Housing Authority just bought the historic VFW Service Center, nestled in a wooded area to the park’s west, to make way for a site for mixed-price housing.
“The estimated cost of all these projects is more than $20 million and it seems there’s been more consideration given to these individual projects than to the value of the park as a whole to the community,” said Seth Freedman, who is working with about 100 other property owners to preserve the area.
The green space, totalling about 50 acres, encompasses three adjoining parks: Waller, Waller Park Extension and Grimes Bridge Park.
Neighbors are more upset about the communication process with the city than the actual projects, Freedman said.
It was by happenstance that residents learned the water tank was going to be placed in the middle of a baseball field, in plain view of surrounding homes, he said. After neighbors raised objections, the city reworked the plans and in December hired a new engineering firm to develop alternatives.
Those plans will be discussed at a City Council work session at 5 p.m. on Monday in City Hall.
The water tank is part of a $16 million upgrade to the municipal water system, which includes a new treatment plant on the park’s southwest corner.
“Not everybody’s going to be happy ultimately, but we’re taking a new look,” said Alice Champagne, Roswell Water Resource manager.
Residents say the city has become more responsive since they raised a fuss.
“Much of my wariness comes from the lack of communication about the project a year ago, when it first came to our attention,” neighborhood resident Kendra Cox said.
Councilman Kent Igleheart admits the city dropped the ball during the planning process.
“We weren’t as successful at getting the word out as we’d like to have been,” he said. “But I think we’ve made up for any drops in communication.”
Igleheart also said the through-road planned for the park is nowhere near winning council approval. It’s proposed on a master plan and little more at this point, he said.
But residents say minutes from public works committee meetings attest to the city’s intent to make the road a reality. The road would improve access to the Adult Recreation Center, where the city is adding a $2.5 million therapeutic pool addition.
Neighbors also worry about plans for the VFW property. Currently the Housing Authority has it zoned “neighborhood residential” as part of the Grove Way Neighborhood redevelopment district approved by the city.
Post Commander William Mitiu said he is not happy with the sale.
He said the post was pressured into taking $330,000 for a property that was appraised for close to $500,000. Enormous water bills, totaling nearly $12,000, were too much to keep up with, he said. The bills, he added, were the result of water line leaks caused by being so close to the water plant.
Laura Wells, who lives on nearby Meadowood Drive, said she wants to see the city commit to listening to residents during all phases of development around the park.
“I hope they’ll do it in a way that will preserve the park,” she said. “It would’ve been nice if that would have happened sooner.”
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