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Acworth to deed portion of Ross Road to developer; HOA seeks relief from costly lift station
Summary
The board considered Resolution RS 2026-17 to abandon a degraded segment of Ross Road and deed it to adjoining owner 2 78 Partners; the developer and Magnolia Cottages HOA described plans to remove a failing lift station and connect to gravity sewer, subject to federal easements and approvals.
At a public hearing on July 16, the Acworth Board of Aldermen considered Resolution RS 2026‑17 to abandon a section of Ross Road (near the former Kmart site) and deed the right-of-way to adjoining owner 2 78 Partners.
City Manager Albright explained the background: the segment is degraded and no longer serves a substantial public purpose, and the adjoining developer (2 78 Partners) has applied to acquire its half of the right-of-way. He said the developer is pursuing an easement through U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property to connect nearby Magnolia Cottages to a gravity sanitary sewer line, which would allow the removal of the community’s costly private lift station.
City Attorney Haney said the city has complied with Georgia statutory requirements for abandoning public property — notices were sent to adjoining owners, the road was posted, and a legal advertisement ran in the Marietta Daily Journal on June 26. Haney told the board that if they choose to close the road tonight, the statutory process would be satisfied.
Fred Snell, representing 2 78 Partners, said the developer “stands by” a prior commitment to take Magnolia Cottages off the failing lift station once federal approvals are secured, but cautioned the easement and Corps approvals could take six to 12 months. Magnolia Cottages’ community association manager, Jeff Hoke, described maintenance challenges — including an electrical panel for the lift station that parts can no longer be obtained for — and asked the city to help expedite permits. Hoke told the board the HOA consents to the city closing the road.
Board members praised the public-private partnership and directed staff to place the resolution on the consent agenda; the consent agenda, including RS 2026‑17, was approved unanimously later in the meeting.
City staff said the abandonment and dedication would allow the developer to proceed with sewer connections that the HOA expects will lower ongoing operation and maintenance costs for homeowners, but the timeline remains contingent on federal easements and other permitting.
