Galloway School Withdraws Plans For Recreation Fields

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Sandy Springs, GA -- A Buckhead-based private school has withdrawn plans to build recreation fields and other needed structures on property in Sandy Springs.

The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday approved The Galloway School’s request to withdraw its petition, which involved the school obtaining a use permit to build a softball field, tennis courts, a parking lot and accessory structures such as a dugout, concession stand and restrooms.

The land in question, which consists of two parcels, totals 8.36 acres at the southern end of High Point Road that borders the city of Atlanta.

Several members in the community, including residents involved with the High Point Civic Association, Sandy Springs Conservancy and the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods, supported the school’s request to withdraw its application.

Galloway’s request was recommended for denial by city staff and the Sandy Springs Planning Commission.

Sharon Gay, attorney for the applicant, said the school recognizes there was a lot of “anxiety” in the community and a lack of support for its plans. Therefore, they will seek other opportunities elsewhere for their plans.

Council member Tibby DeJulio, who made the motion to accept the withdrawal, said the application caused “quite an upheaval” among residents who live along High Point Road.

He received 300 to 400 emails alone on this project, and DeJulio stated he believed some of the sticking points could have been hashed out before the proposal reached the City Council for final consideration.

Council member Andy Bauman, who has two children who attend the Galloway School, told the audience he thought long and hard about whether he should abstain from the discussion and vote.

The city’s code indicates Council members must recuse themselves from proposals if they are to receive any financial benefits from a decision, said City Attorney Wendell Willard.

Bauman said he recognizes that his participation in the discussions and vote could be interpreted as having a conflict of interest. However, the Council member said he has a “higher duty” to tackle tough decisions.

“I know I was elected to listen to the community and to do my duty, and I believe my duty requires me to hear the hard cases here,” Bauman added.

He told residents and his fellow Council members that he kept an open mind throughout the process, and told Galloway officials not to assume he’d be in favor of the proposal.

However, Bauman, who described himself as a ”proud” Galloway parent, stated he did support withdrawal, and addressed a couple of points made by residents who outlined their rejection of the request.

One of those points, Bauman stated, was whether an Atlanta school should expand its recreational amenities on property in Sandy Springs.

That contention, Bauman said, was “un-American,” adding the city does not check anyone’s identification before they cross over into its jurisdiction. He also said the school serves hundreds of Sandy Springs students, and that the Council does not consider whether a project would positively boost its tax rolls as part of its deliberations.

Galloway requested permits to construct a softball field with two dugouts, a roughly 2,600-square-foot indoor hitting facility, a 2,450-square-foot restroom/concessions/maintenance building, tennis courts and a surface parking lot with 55 spaces.

It also sought variances to allow curb cut access from High Point Road, and to encroach into required minimum 50-foot buffer and 10-foot improvement setback for construction of a parking lot and tennis court.

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