Johns Creek Buys Land Near Rogers Bridge Trail

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The city of Johns Creek has moved on a bid to purchase a half-acre parcel that can be used to add a few more amenities near the Rogers Bridge multi-use trail.

The City Council at its Nov. 7 meeting voted to purchase the half-acre property owned by Jean Taylor-Miller for $75,000.

The property is roughly 1,000 feet south of the trail head, and has been the site of public safety and maintenance issues over the years.

According to the city, the trail was built by Fulton County before Johns Creek incorporated in 2006. The actual trail head starts at Bell Road and runs just under a mile to the Chattahoochee River.

To help crack down on the vandalism occurring in and around the trail, the city's Public Works Department placed bollards to the south of the resident's property, a move that didn't deter vandals.

While the Johns Creek Police Department has also increased patrols in the area, reports of vandalism still occurred around the property. In June, the city took action and installed a chain link fence and gate with a lock near the trail head to prevent vehicles from traveling down the trail.

While that has reduced vandalism and litter along the trail, Miller requested the city remove the fence so she can have unimpeded access to her property.

City Manager Warren Hutmacher said Miller offered to sell the property for the unit price of the city's Cauley Creek deal, which was $150,000 per acre. That amounts to $75,000 for her half-acre property.

The city manager added an appraisal showed the property, which is situated on the other side of the gate installed to stop automotive traffic, to be worth $85,000.

Hutmacher states the city can use the location to build 24 parking spaces and an area for picnic tables.

"So, we think it will be a lot of value for the city going forward," he said. "We would just move the gate a little bit further down so the cars will be able to access this property."

A motion was initially made by council member Lenny Zaprowski to table the proposal, as he felt he did not have enough information to make a decision. The motion, which was seconded by fellow council member Stephanie Endres, subsequently failed by a vote of 4-3.

Council members Cori Davenport, Steve Broadbent and Bob Gray were joined by Mayor Mike Bodker in their rejection of the motion while Endres and Zaprowski's motion was supported by council member Jay Lin.

"I'm just not sure if we need this piece of property, personally," Zaprowski added.

After the motion to table failed, Zaprowski went on to say it was "pretty offensive" to bring forth an item that he didn't have a chance to review ahead of time.

Lin added he felt it was imperative that the city nail down build-out costs before moving forward with a vote on the purchase.

"We need to be very clear about the total commitment for this land acquisition," he added.

Bodker, who said the city land-locked the property when it acquired the Cauley Creek land and erected a fence to keep out vandals, said he felt the land "will be useful to us in any form down the road."

The motion subsequently passed, with Broadbent, Gray, Davenport and Bodker approving while Lin, Endres and Zaprowski voted against it.

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