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Published Thursday, November 26, 2009 in Local

Newnan refers park offer to Planning Commission

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

After much discussion back and forth about whether to accept proffered park property in the Newnan Lakes subdivision, the Newnan City Council decided Tuesday evening to refer the issue to the city Planning Commission for further study.

In 2003, Newnan Lakes was constructed off Lower Fayetteville Road and Newnan Bypass, and the developers built a park around a lake with a pavilion, walking trails and a playground. They operated with the understanding that the park would be given to the city in exchange for higher density development, according to City Manager Dick Bolin. The developers recently asked if the residents could keep the park.

"The issue I have with the park and taking it is that it's theirs," said Mayor Keith Brady. He added that the homeowners association currently owns the park and has as agreement to maintain it. "I'm not so certain we should take the park, simply because of the obligation of maintenance it creates on the city."

Councilman George Alexander pointed out that the city's recently completed parks and recreation master plan suggested Newnan build a park on the east side of town -- and Bolin added that the city has $3 million in impact fees allocated for that purpose.

"I was initially concerned about whether we should take this, but it's there, we don't have to pay for it and we can make some improvements," said Bolin. However, Brady pointed out that the park is landlocked and the undeveloped property below the dam is wet and wooded.

Councilmen Bob Coggin and Clayton Hicks both expressed concern over the limited parking capacity, and Coggin also worried about the visibility of the park -- or lack thereof -- to the community.

"I have some concerns about people realizing its available to all citizens of the city," said Coggin.

"We do need something [on the east side], I just don't think this is the space," said Brady.

"We just spent $100,000 on a park study that said we need more park space," said Bolin. "Plus, I think we can maintain it. If we don't take it, then nobody can use it but the homeowners."

Mayor Pro-tem Cynthia Jenkins didn't like the idea of requiring a developer to proffer land in exchange for higher density development only for the city to later change its mind about accepting the property.

"We still have a commitment to the east side of town," said Alexander.

"Yes, but I don't think this is the answer," said Brady. "If we accept this, I don't think we've fulfilled that obligation. There's not enough park to satisfy that."

"I think of this as an addition to the park system in the city," said Bolin. "I think it would be a good addition and add to the betterment of the citizens of the city."

Councilman Ray DuBose told council he walked through the park on Monday and found that it required some immediate maintenance. The councilman wanted to know whether the maintenance would be required of the developers if the city were to accept ownership of the park.

Hicks wanted to know whether there had been any communication from the city with Newnan Lakes' home owners association about the possibility that their park could be opened up to the whole city.

DuBose made the motion, which passed unanimously, to have the Planning Commission review the issue and make a recommendation to council at a future meeting. Brady also suggested that the city talk with the developer and figure out exactly how much acreage the property is and if there are any ways to expand or improve the park.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, the city council voted to purchase 12 acres off Pope Street from Bank of Georgia in Peachtree City for $50,000. The bank invited the city to use the property as green space for a passive park so that they could obtain a conservation easement for tax credit, according to Bolin.

The proposed McIntosh Parkway would cut into one corner of the property, and Hicks questioned whether that would pose a problem with right-of-ways. McIntosh Parkway is planned to run from the Ashley Park area to downtown Newnan, parallel to and south of Bullsboro Drive.

Bolin suggested having a deed restriction in the contract so that the corner of the property could be used for that purpose.

"I think this is a good purchase for us," said Brady.

A motion was unanimously approved to purchase the property subject to working out the deed restriction.