Residents Prepare To Fight Intrusive Development

JOHNS CREEK, GA — For more than a quarter of a century, homeowners in one Johns Creek neighborhood could wake up each morning, grab a cup of coffee, and relax on their back porch to enjoy the sights and sounds of a lush, natural woods sitting directly behind their homes. But this peaceful setting, which originally drew many to move to Johns Creek in the first place, could soon be replaced by a new, not-so-welcome view.

Specifically, 12 brand-new, three-story McMansion development, slapped down within a shockingly close proximity. If the developer of the proposed project has his way these homes would sit within 10 feet of existing homes in the Long Indian Creek neighborhood. But Johns Creek residents are not sitting silently by as overdevelopment hits close to home.

More than 420 Johns Creek residents have signed on to a petition asking the city to reject the proposed housing development. And its located along State Bridge Road, a roadway already known for its peak hour traffic congestion.

• View the petition asking the city to stop the project.

The proposal for land at 11085 State Bridge Road would put 12 large, three-story homes directly adjacent to existing homes, some of the city's original residences. It would also result in the removal of what is currently a forested lot, sheltering homeowner's from the growing traffic and noise along State Bridge Road.

The developer's request would reduce the current 40-foot perimeter buffer between developments to a mere 5 feet from existing homeowner's property lines. Residents fear this is going to have an adverse effect on the neighborhood both aesthetically and in its appeal to potential new homeowners.

As part of the proposal, the developer is asking that the land, currently zoned for small businesses, to be rezoned to residential. Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker has previously spoken out about balancing the city's financial outlook by doing the exact opposite of that, "I have fought against and continue to fight raising taxes and feel that the best way to avoid that outcome is to focus on economic development with an eye toward bringing more non-residential uses to Johns Creek."

You can view the Petition by going to: https://www.change.org/p/city-...

The city's planning commission will hear public input on the plan at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. The meeting will be held at the city government complex located at 11445 Johns Creek Parkway.