Although the

Planning and Zoning Committee has recommended approval of the plan submitted

with the added responses by Twin Lakes Partnership, I strongly believe

more changes and greater commitment on the part of Twin Lakes Partnership

are needed.

First of all,

terms need to be defined. Twin Lakes is sometimes used to refer to the

entire 800 plus acres. Sometimes, Twin Lakes means the original platted

Phase I. Other times "Phase I" refers to the section under present

consideration. T win Lakes is also used as a synonym for Twin Lakes

Partnership. "Homeowners" is another confusing word.

Does homeowners

mean the present residents? the new Phase I residents? any present or

future owners and or renters on the entire 800 acres? To avoid confusion

and even legal problems now and for many years to come, language must

be clear.

Second, Twin

Lakes Partnership must do more than commit to asking the railroad for

permission for a road to cross the tracks. Just as Council insisted that

a letter of commitment be received from the county assuring that water

could be tapped from the county line running along Pylant Street, Council

needs to insist that an alternate exit onto the future Fayette-Coweta

Connector be guaranteed in writing before the subdivision is approved.

This would alleviate traffic on Rockaway. It would also provide an alternate

exit route in case of emergency. In the past, Rockaway has been impassable

at both bridges simultaneously due to flooding. An evacuation route in

the event of a future disaster is imperative.

Third, although

I am pleased the green space between the homes on Teal Court and Rockaway

Avenue is to be donated to the city, I am against it being used for housing

public buildings such as a fire station, library, or police station. Yes,

it will directly impact the privacy and quiet of my home and neighborhood.

Yes, it could adversely affect the value of my property.

There are other

reasons, which will affect all who travel Rockaway Road:

There is limited

visibility along this stretch of Rockaway. Increasing the number of exits

and entrances along the road is unsafe.

This is a poor

place for more impervious surfaces required for parking. Already increased

runoff due to road construction causes the pavement at the base of the

hill to be in perpetual need of repair.

More rain

water carrying pollutants from vehicles will rush down the road from paved

surfaces and into the water we drink. The health of all those who drink

the water is at increased risk. Green space in this section is important

for safeguarding water quality.

Rockaway is

part of an official state bike route. For the safety of bikers, added

cross traffic should be avoided.

Fourth, the

reservoir needs to be protected. Twin Lakes Partnership is assuring that

the amount of impervious surface will be under twenty five percent. However,

the quality of water significantly decreases when the amount of impervious

surface in a watershed exceeds 10 percent. Twin Lakes Partnership may

be obeying the letter of the law. The law is not doing enough to

protect our health. The cost of our water will be increased as increased

treatment of water increases. Some pollutants can still remain undetected

and untreated.

Fifth, let's not count water as green space particularly

in the watershed that supplies our dri nking

water. Maximizing green space particularly around the reservoir will do

much to naturally filter and safeguard our water. For better preservation

of wildlife, let's provide continuous belts of green space connecting

the wetland at both the north and south end of the development. Let's

have a plan with a main focus on preserving the quality of water rather

than a plan with a main goal of maximizing profits for the developer.

It's time for

Twin Lakes Partnership to present a plan conceived as if the members of

the partnership, the Mullen Company, their lawyers, landscape architect

and engineer were to make the development their home. Council will probably

be reviewing the latest proposal at the August 4 meeting. It is time for

the citizens to speak out.

Mary Provost

From one of

the first 15 homes of Twin Lakes

Senoia