Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Karen Meinzen McEnerny on March 14 brought some bad news to her neighbors down the road in Buckhead.
She said the city of Sandy Springs supports a massive mixed-use apartment complex planned near the intersection of Roswell and Wieuca Roads. The city’s potential green light of the project could mean traffic headaches for Atlanta residents living in Buckhead.
McEnerny on March 14 spoke to the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods at their monthly meeting.
“This is a development that has been sanctioned and promoted by the economic development committee,” Meinzen McEnerny said. She said it would also require demolishing older apartment buildings on the property. “The mayor (Eva Galambos) has been quoted as saying we need to get rid of some of the older apartment complexes.”
JLB Partners and Core Property Capital are behind the project. The companies initially proposed 700 apartment units and a seven-story parking deck. If left at its current size, it would force millions of dollars worth of road improvements to accommodate the expected increase in traffic.
Among the things Sandy Springs may have to consider is realigning the intersection of Windsor Parkway with Roswell Road.
“The intersection of Windsor Parkway is problematic for the density of the development that’s being proposed,” Meinzen-McEnerny said. “The plans for this development have not been submitted in final form to our Department of Community Development.”
Realigning that intersection could cost millions but there is no official estimate. McEnerny brought documents showing that the city recently determined it could make $4.4 million available for the project.
Atlanta City Councilwoman Yolanda Adrean also attended the meeting. She said the city of Atlanta may not have any ability to influence the development for the benefit of the city’s residents.
“One of my concerns is Roswell is a state road,” Adrean said. “It’s not a city road. It’s not a Sandy Springs road. I’m not sure how we can impact the conversation. I’m open to your creative suggestions.”
McEnerny didn’t have a definite timetable for when the city could approve the plans. She said if they were submitted within the next week, they could be ready for the council’s consideration by May.