Neighbors cite safety and wildlife concerns; commissioners hold Trailside Equities frontage reduction to Dec. 16

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners held consideration of other business item 57 (Trailside Equities LLC) until the Dec. 16, 2025 zoning hearing after extended public comment and technical questioning on Nov. 18.

Applicant representative Jordan Deeny said the request would allow three buildable lots to be recognized and sold; he told commissioners the county mapping and tax records showed the parcels as separate lots and that a recorded plat could not be located. Multiple neighbors — including Amy Joannu, who said she lives immediately adjacent, and Melissa Hagen — urged delay. Joannu asked for a deferral, saying the short stretch of Wesley Chapel Road is a blind curve with limited sight distance, repeated vehicle losses of control and the presence of two school bus stops near the proposed shared driveway. She said, “We’re not asking for this necessary to be denied. We’re asking for a deferral and a more complete safety review before allowing 3 homes to share a driveway in a location that already has demonstrated repeated documented safety problems.”

Melissa Hagen told the board the parcels form a central wildlife corridor and raised concerns that development could displace deer and other species; she referenced sightings of great blue herons and salamanders and told the board that the impacts could implicate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state erosion laws. Stormwater staff (Andrew Heath) said the southernmost lot contains floodplain but that there is more than a half‑acre of buildable area outside the floodplain and that required measures (detention, impervious‑area limits) would apply. DOT staff said the applicant must provide sight‑distance documentation; DOT staff noted that a traffic study was not required for this application as presented.

Commissioners asked whether sewer service and fire access would be available; Cobb County Fire Marshal Jeff Berg said houses are allowed up to 1,000 feet of driveway before a turnaround is required and noted plan‑review requirements for hydrant spacing and sprinkler modifications if hydrant flow/pressure is insufficient. After discussion focused on sight distance, fire access, lot sizes and stormwater, a commissioner moved to hold the item for additional work with staff and neighbors; the board voted 5‑0 to continue the matter to the Dec. 16 zoning hearing.