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Residents, dealers press Peachtree City over North Hill path tree removal and cart regulations
Summary
Multiple residents and a local dealer told council the North Hill multi‑use path construction and recent cart‑registration enforcement are harming neighborhood character, removing canopy trees and creating safety risks; city staff committed to meet HOAs and develop a replanting and safety plan.
Residents from North Cove and North Hill raised sharp concerns June 18 about large‑scale tree removal and safety along the North Hill multi‑use path project on Peachtree Parkway, saying the work has dramatically altered the corridor’s canopy and may introduce new traffic and safety hazards for cart‑path users and neighbors.
Heather Harding, president of the North Cove Community Association, said crews removed a large portion of the parkway’s tree canopy during installation of a 10‑ft path and that public‑works staff had not provided a replanting plan. "If the same clear‑cutting approach is used on the future phases, even more of the parkway's tree canopy will be lost," Harding said, and she asked the council to require a restoration plan, install a safety barrier along roughly 800 feet where the new path sits 6 feet from an unlit lane, and reconsider alignments that preserve canopy.
Nicole Barron, president of the North Hill HOA, said earlier city communications had indicated adjacent gate columns would be moved to accommodate the path; instead, she said the path now sits within 4 feet of columns and close to steep grade changes, raising the risk of cart collisions and property damage. "I have safety concerns with the new cart traffic pattern that's going to ensue," she said, and asked the council to honor earlier commitments and explore alternatives such as retaining walls.
Separately, John Rapp of BouTerreaux Carts said new enforcement measures to tighten cart registration (seating and weight limits) have effectively removed many commonly sold models from eligibility and cost his business roughly half its sales, putting 18 jobs at risk. Rapp urged the council to work with dealers to find safety‑aligned, practicable solutions.
City staff told the council the North Hill work derives from a 2017 SPLOST project and therefore must proceed; staff committed to meet with the affected HOAs, to share a planting/restoration plan and to consider safety measures — including curbing, barriers and mature tree plantings — and to explore options that avoid simply planting small saplings. Council members asked staff to return with follow‑up briefing and to include residents in design decisions.
No formal vote was taken; staff said a meeting with HOAs is scheduled and that more details on planting and safety will be developed and shared.
