Isakson Living Announces Intent to Donate 9.5 Acres to East Cobb Park and Invest in Improvements.
Donation would increase park by 50 percent, create connection to Fuller’s Park.
(Released January 22, 2014) – Cobb County developer Isakson Living today announced that, contingent upon zoning approval and acceptance by the county, the company will donate 9.5 acres of contiguous land to expand East Cobb Park, increasing the park’s size by nearly 50 percent and connecting it to Fuller’s Park.
Isakson Living also intends to invest in improvements to the park, with the approval and under the supervision of the county and the park governing board.
In November, Isakson Living filed a revised application to rezone 53.7 acres in East Cobb County to build a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). In addition to reducing the height and number of homes within the proposed development, Isakson Living’s revised application increased the amount of undisturbed green space to 43 percent of the site, or approximately 23 acres. Isakson Living plans to donate 9.5 acres of this green space to increase the size of East Cobb Park.
The 9.5 acre tract is strategically located between Fuller Park and East Cobb Park, which will better connect and protect the two popular parks. The proposed donation would also preserve and provide better access to Sewell Mill Creek, a popular playground for East Cobb children. The land donation to East Cobb Park is contingent upon approval of the rezoning request and finalization of Isakson Living’s purchase of the Tritt Property.
“The county has made it clear that it cannot afford to invest in additional park space in East Cobb, and I can say from personal experience how difficult it is to raise money for park land,” said Sunny Walker, the park’s first board president and a member of the group that raised funds to purchase land for the existing park. “This is a rare potential gift which will allow many more residents to enjoy both parks by connecting Fuller’s and East Cobb Parks.”
“Having been involved in the development of this park since its inception, and having raised funds for improvements since, I view this offer as an excellent opportunity to enhance and increase the size of the park that might otherwise never be available,” said David London, long-time East Cobb Park supporter and volunteer. “A fifty percent increase in the size of the park is a generous and legacy gift for East Cobb.”
“We continue to listen to the community and respond with positive changes to our plan for this state-of-the-art retirement community,” said Kevin Isakson, director of sales and marketing for Isakson Living. “Our plans were to leave this portion of the property as green space, but its best use is to expand East Cobb Park and provide a connection with Fuller’s Park for the enjoyment of Cobb County residents.”
The proposed community will be licensed to accept only residents over the age of 62 but will not qualify for the senior citizen school property tax exemption. “The project will generate $1.4 million annually in property tax revenues for the county, $900,000 of which will go directly to the school system, while adding no additional students to schools,” Isakson added. “It will provide jobs and economic benefits, and support the growing demand for senior housing in Cobb County.”
Since Isakson Living filed for rezoning in May 2013, and withdrew in October 2013, it has conducted numerous meetings with homeowner associations, civic and community groups and qualified prospective residents.
The new plan for Isakson Living’s proposed East Cobb development reduces building heights to two and three stories along Roswell Road and Hidden Hollow, decreases the number of units by 17 percent, increases undisturbed nature areas by 16 percent and increases total green space by 17 percent. Most parking has been placed below grade level.
The new plan provides significant green space between the proposed buildings, existing neighborhoods, and East Cobb Park. Buildings, driveways and parking will occupy approximately 25 percent of the 53.7 acre property, which means about 70 percent will remain green space. More than 43 percent of the site will remain in an undisturbed state, including preservation of 1,600 trees, twice as many as required and not including those required to remain in flood plain.
Since 2000, Cobb County’s 65-plus population has increased 67 percent, and currently one-third of Cobb County’s population is over the age of 50. While East Cobb has several assisted living communities, it does not currently have a CCRC and only one exists in all of Cobb County.
“The proven benefits of this type of senior community include attracting independent living seniors who enjoy on-site amenities for many years, as well as robust healthcare options on campus that provide for a full continuum of care,” Isakson said.
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Isakson Living is a local company with offices in Atlanta and Stone Mountain. Partners Andy and Kevin Isakson successfully developed Park Springs in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Andy Isakson and his wife live in Roswell, GA where they have raised their family. Kevin Isakson grew up in East Cobb where he currently resides with his wife and three children.