Residents urge bike and pedestrian improvements, raise annexation and homelessness concerns at Cobb County meeting

Residents used the meeting’s public comment period to press the Board of Commissioners on pedestrian and bicycle safety, neighborhood annexation and development stipulations, trash and encampments, and local recycling services.

Sam Foster, a resident who said he has spoken at the last two meetings, asked the board to adopt elements of Cobb County’s 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan. Foster recommended three policy actions: add bike lanes when roads are resurfaced, require pedestrian connectivity between new developments, and add bike-parking requirements to the county zoning code so long-term and short-term bicycle parking is provided at new developments and public buildings.

Rosser Sutherland described persistent trash and shopping carts outside the old Defects building on Fairgrounds Street and said he believed homeless people frequently congregate there. Sutherland asked county leaders to coordinate with Marietta police and local businesses to address trespassing and safety near commercial corridors, particularly with large events such as the All-Star Game and the World Cup drawing visitors.

Donald Barth, representing a volunteer group tied to Marietta First Baptist Church, urged enforcement of deed stipulations he said prohibit certain uses on county-owned property near Scuffle Grit and Sandy Plains. Chair comments during the public comment section noted that county authority to object to annexations is limited by state law and encouraged residents to meet with the community development director for details.

Resident Christine Rosman described a specific development near Scuffle Grit and Sandy Plains, saying she opposed a proposed gas station that she said conflicts with earlier stipulations limiting uses near new housing. She also warned that hundreds of additional homes planned for the area will increase traffic and create safety concerns at intersections near Whitaker Park.

Other commenters raised related neighborhood and transit concerns. JT Jackson asked the county to assess ground-level crossings at Windy Ridge and Cobb Parkway and noted the pedestrian bridge between Cumberland Mall and the Galleria would close briefly; he asked for better timing during baseball season. He also said route spacing for local rapid bus service sometimes results in buses running close together and suggested adjustments to improve efficiency.

Craig Harfoot criticized costly road projects and contrasted local infrastructure work with alternative funding approaches such as LOST (local option sales tax) versus SPLOST. He questioned whether street design and bridge solutions were cost-effective and warned about broader economic risks, though his remarks were largely rhetorical.

Several speakers also asked the county to maintain or resume recycling and hazardous-waste drop-off events. Commissioner remarks later in the meeting noted the county would host recycling pop-ups and a community recycling event on April 12 at Jim Miller Park; staff also announced a medication disposal event on April 26.

No formal board action was taken on the subjects raised by speakers during public comment; commissioners and staff directed residents to follow up with the community development director or relevant departments for specifics on annexation law, project timelines and cleanup or recycling programs.