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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Questions Fly Regarding Proposed Birmingham High

Citizens: We have recieved the following information from a source who has requested to remain anonymous. As always, we are more than open to provide the same opportunity for a differing view point.

- The Accessmilton.com staff.

June 27, 2007

The following information is from the Department of Environment and Community Development Recommendation for the subject site on Freemanville Road, (for the proposed private Kings Ridge Christian School), zoned AG-1, an undeveloped tract of land surrounded with scattered single family residential development.

The following information facts are direct quotes from the recommendation of the Site Plan Considerations for the Kings Ridge Christian School from the Staff of the Department of Environment and Community Development in the year 2000.

When Kings Ridge applied for its Use Permit in the year 2000, the Department of Environment and Community Development issued a denial. They specifically stated in the section of “Other considerations” that they “are concerned with the potential noise and light impacts from the recreation fields on adjoining property owners.” They also stated that, “while there is little that can be done to minimize the sound and light impact from these types of facilities their location on the subject site can be modified so as to minimize any negative impact on neighboring property owners. Limiting the hours for use for the lighted outdoor facilities might also help mitigate the impact on neighboring property owners. The Staff recommended the outdoor lighted facilities be complete by 8 pm on weekdays and by 9 pm on weekends. Setback of all lighted recreation facilities and parking areas from adjoining residentially developed property to 400 feet, which was reflected in the Recommended Conditions section.

In questioning whether the proposed use is consistent with the Land Use or Economic Development plans adopted by the Board of Commissioners: The proposed school at the requested size with the numerous high impact accessory uses is inconsistent with the long range development plans adopted by the Board of Commissioners which seek to maintain the rural agricultural character of the northwestern section of Fulton County.

On the effect of proposed activity on traffic flow from this (Kings Ridge) school, on adjoining streets: Staff anticipates a significant impact on the traffic flow in the surrounding area. Staff anticipates a maximum of 3,849 vehicle trips per day to the site and 978 peak hour vehicle trips. (This was for a school that would have at capacity 1400 maximum students attending and a stadium for 3000 students). (For Katie Reeves to state one minute that the school will not have any new students and their will be no more traffic impact then there already is incorrect to say the least. In the Milton Herald on page 6, (6/27) she states that “100’s of students will enroll over the next several years”. On page 25 of the same issue she states,” As far as traffic concerns, Reeves notes the new school will not be bringing in new students, it will serve students already in the system who now travel down the road to Milton High School”)

The space (Kings Ridge) encompassed 84.08 acres and noted that of its total acreage there is a large amount of open space dedicated to outdoor athletics. They were required to provide a 75 foot wide natural undisturbed buffer along all interior property lines and a 10 foot improvement setback interior to each of the required buffers. A 10 foot wide landscape strip is required along Freemanville Road.

In the staffs opinion the proposed private school at the requested size will have a definite impact on the low density residential and rural agricultural character of the surrounding area. They further noted the Board’s recent efforts (year 2000) to maintain the character of this segment of Fulton County throughout the adoption of the Northwest Fulton Overlay District and recent Board denials of high impact uses in the area. Staff does not view a school campus of this magnitude as compatible with the surrounding land uses.

Their conclusion was, “Given the size of the proposed school, the extent of the proposed facilities, the impact of the hours of operation, the impact of the lighting and the parking and recreation areas and the impact of the tremendous increase in traffic in the area combined with the Board’s policy to maintain a rural agricultural character in the area through the adoption of an overlay district and their recent denials of other high impact uses, Staff recommends the petition for Land Use Permit to be DENIED.

Now I ask the community how the Department of Environment and Community Development can make the recommendations above regarding a private school requesting to build on this same exact site several years ago, but it is okay for the BOE to come in and build a much larger impacting public school on the same piece of property with no accountability to the community, the City, and the County, the DNR, the EPA, the environment, and the Watershed, on the recommendations from Fulton County as stated above regarding the Kings Ridge proposed private school. If the environmental issues and problems for building a smaller private school on this exact site existed warranting denial, then the BOE must be held accountable for not placing a school on this site for the very same reasons.
Please sign the petition against this proposed school location!!!

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