Funeral Home Feeling Threat of Eminent Domain by Planned Mixed-Use Luxury Apartment Project

Brooks Cowles won a small victory last September when City Council approved rezoning for Community Funeral Service, which he manages inside a former church building at 4579 Roswell Road. 

At the time neighbors opposed to the rezoning said the funeral home would ower their property values. 

The funeral home or Popeyes restaurant would likely be razed as a result of the large mixed-use development project planned across the street. In order for the project to happen, the City of Sandy Springs is required by Georgia Regional Transportation Authority to reconstruct the intersection at Roswell Road and Windsor Parkway. Lanes would run through the funeral home or Popeyes. 

“There’s going to be taking of a lot of private property either by agreement or eminent domain, to make this happen," Cowles told the Planning Commission, Wednesday. "Bear in mind that’s one of about six or seven intersections where they will be taking private property to allow the road lanes. In my meeting with Sandy Springs they made it very clear that none of this would happen unless this project is approved.”

The Planning Commission approved rezoning for the project that will bring luxury apartment units where Chastain and Versailles apartments now stand, and 125,000 square feet of retail and office space. City Council will vote on the project at its July 16 meeting.

“We’ve heard developers are waiting with baited breath to see if this massive proposal gets approved,” said Jane Kelly to Planning Commission members. She represents High Point Civic Association, Windsor Park Place HOA, and residents on Hedden Street.

“In fact a developer has already contacted the business owners immediately opposite this to see if they are willing to sell,” she added. 

Nearby residents are concerned about the density of the project and say it directly abuts some neighborhoods. 

See also: Roswell Road Neighbors Hope to Control Density of Looming Mixed-Use Development