Coweta County commissioners continue Freedom Land Holdings rezoning hearing to Oct. 21 after residents raise traffic and buffer concerns

Chairman (unnamed) reopened the continued public hearing on Sept. 16 for rezoning Petition REZ25-05, filed by Freedom Land Holdings LLC for property fronting Mary Freeman Road, Lower Fayetteville Road and Covey Trail in Newnan (District 1). The applicant presented a revised plan that removed townhomes and reduced the proposed lot count from 329 to 291 single-family lots.

Steven Jones, attorney for Freedom Land Holdings, told the Board the updated concept adds a voluntary 50-foot perimeter buffer around most of the site (one 25-foot pinch point where road fit requires it), reconfigures internal walking trails away from the buffer, makes the Covey Trail connection a cul-de-sac with a Knox-box emergency access, and proposes a fence to prevent pedestrian access through the Knox-box gate. Jones said the plan ties the amenity package to the development, includes a roundabout at the Mary Freeman entrance, and proffers contributions toward intersection improvements and right-of-way dedication to support future road widening.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the revised plan did not resolve core concerns about traffic, emergency response times, school capacity and preservation of mature buffer trees. Multiple residents urged the board to require stronger, enforceable protections for mature trees in the buffer, to accelerate infrastructure improvements, and to consider cumulative growth in the corridor.

Residents’ concerns: Ruby Smith, a 36-year resident of Louisville Road, said additional houses would make it ‘‘very difficult to get in and out of my driveway’’ and stressed safety for local children. Brian Heise said the submission did not account for the expected increase in vehicle traffic, emergency response delays and infrastructure strain. Sean Miller, a nearby resident and landscape architect, described potential light and noise impacts from the planned amenity and expressed concern that added traffic and vehicle movements around the proposed roundabout could slow emergency vehicles and worsen pedestrian safety near schools. Jim Schwartz, whose backyard backs the site, urged that if the county approves the project the 50-foot buffer be enforced as a minimum and that mature trees be preserved rather than removed and replanted.

Applicant response: Jones emphasized the reduced density and the net density calculation—which he said excludes floodplains and wetlands—reporting a net density of 3.1 units per acre and noting that nearby developments have comparable or higher densities. He also said the developer met with adjacent neighborhoods and revised conditions in response to resident concerns.

Board action and next steps: Commissioners discussed whether staff had adequate time to review the applicant’s newly submitted site plan and revised proffered conditions. Staff said some departments (building, fire, environmental health) had not completed their reviews and that a typical interdepartmental review requires roughly two weeks after full submission. Commissioner discussion resulted in a motion to reopen the public hearing and continue consideration to Oct. 21, 2025, to allow staff review and for the updated site plan and proffered conditions to be posted on the county website before the next meeting. The Board voted to continue the matter; no final rezoning decision was taken on Sept. 16.

What’s next: The county will post the updated site plan and proffered conditions online prior to the Oct. 21 meeting for public review. The public hearing will resume on Oct. 21, when the Board may vote on the rezoning if staff reviews are complete.