Citizens' Group Questions Isakson Plans

Residents living near a proposed large-scale senior complex say they're still in "listening mode" about a project that would include nearly 1,000 units near East Cobb Park. 

But they admit to having some serious concerns about the estimated $200 million project that would be developed by the brother and son of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. 

A Facebook page, Concerned Citizens over Isakson Living East Cobb, was created over the weekend to provide information to surrounding neighborhoods.

Isakson Living's plans call for more than 800 independent living units and 150 more "health care" units. The project would be built on less than two-thirds of the 54-acre former Tritt family property, in four-story buildings that would be buffered by existing woods. 

"We're not against what's being proposed," said Doug Rohan, a resident of the adjacent Hidden Hollow neigbhorhood. "But we want to make informed opinions once we get the information."

Rohan said the Concerned Citizens group wanted to get moving before Isakson Living makes formal presentations in the East Cobb community later this month. 

They include appearances at the Indian Hills Country Club clubhouse on July 29 and before the East Cobb Civic Association July 31. 

The Concerned Citizens group, which Rohan said currenly consists of a handful of residents in his community and the Glenside Homeowners Association, have been told by East Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott that Isakson Living's rezoning request wouldn't be heard until October.

The rezoning request from the current R-20 (residential and park) status to CCRC (continuing care retirement community) was initially scheduled for August. 

(Here are the initial documents filed with the Cobb Zoning Division.)

Jill Flamm, president of the East Cobb Civic Association, said her organization has sent a questionnaire to Isakson Living for informational purposes. 

While she expressed some of the same concerns as Concerned Citizens, she said the association hasn't taken a position and figures the July 31 presentation will attract heavy community interest.

Rohan said the genesis for his group also stemmed from legal issues involving another Isakson Living project in Buckhead. 

Another major factor is the development of WellStar's East Cobb Health Park across from the Tritt property, at the intersection of Roswell Road and Providence Road East. 

While WellStar didn't need rezoning to begin construction, the nature of the development set off alarm bells about what might come next. 

"That kind of snuck up on us, and we're trying to make sure that doesn't happen again," Rohan said. 

But the Isakson Living proposal did surprise some nearby residents. John Fabbrini, president of the Glenside HOA, said he wasn't aware of the plans until he was contacted by the media last month. 

"We understood for years that [the Tritt property] was going to be an extension of the park," said Fabbrini, who along with other residents met last week with Ott. "What they're planning on building just doesn't fit the residential feel of the area."

He said that his group also hasn't issued a position on the rezoning, despite other concerns that include traffic flow in the area: "We're focusing on information right now."

The longer-range concerns are the kinds of projects that might be introduced to the area because of what WellStar is building. 

"When you look at the size and the scope" of Isakson Living's plans, Rohan said, "It can't be much bigger. . . It would be a dramatic variation to the feel of East Cobb. 

"I'm not opposed to progress, but this is something that would profoundly change East Cobb."