Johns Creek city council votes "full and complete opposition" to MARTA rail expansion (Sandy Springs: sales, 2015)

[Gulch]

Johns Creek council votes ‘full and complete opposition’ to MARTA rail expansion | Political Insider blog

Our apologies for not getting this to you sooner, but it’s been a busy week.

On Monday, with little warning and no public comment, the Johns Creek City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the expansion of a MARTA rail line into north Fulton County.

While they were at it, the mayor and council members also declared themselves ticked off at state lawmakers and Gov. Nathan Deal for passage of a nearly $1 billion-a-year transportation funding package last year. But that was a side issue.

The resolution was clearly a response to an effort one week earlier, by the mayors of Roswell and Sandy Springs, to begin a countywide discussion of MARTA’s proposed expansion – and the half-penny tax that would be required to fund it.

And the text of the resolution:

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSED TAX INCREASE BY MARTA BY AN
ADDITIONAL ½% (PERCENT)

WHEREAS, it is the duty and obligation of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Johns
Creek to represent the will and desire of their residents and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the taxpayers of the City of Johns Creek have been paying a 1% sales tax dedicated to
funding MARTA with limited value to the residents of the City of Johns Creek; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has no overall transportation plan yet increased taxes by $1B per
year to fund unspecified transportation projects; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia passed this legislation without any attempt to cut spending and
reallocate resources before raising taxes; and

WHEREAS, the expansion of MARTA will provide limited benefit to the residents of the City of
Johns Creek; and

WHEREAS, the inherent design of MARTA is flawed and cannot serve as an effective commuter
rail system; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of MARTA would increase the volume of traffic at the most congested
intersections; and

WHEREAS, the expansion of MARTA would increase the volume of traffic through the City of
Johns Creek as users of MARTA; and

WHEREAS, the expansion of MARTA would increase high density housing further increasing traffic,
straining the public school system, eroding the residential character of the surrounding areas and
reducing property values; and

WHEREAS, the taxpayers in the City of Johns Creek do not wish to be further taxed and do not
support the expansion of MARTA in or around the City of Johns Creek; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Johns Creek while in
Regular Session on November 16, 2015 that:

The City Council hereby respectfully states its full and complete opposition to any
referendum vote that would provide for increased MARTA taxes in Fulton County.

[flyonpa]

I'm Not sure why MARTA is asking for a extra 1/2 cent Sales Tax for the Red Line Extension up into North Fulton County.

Seem North Fulton should get a 1/2 cent credit for the 40 years they have payed for minor bus service, after all that's the deal Clayton got 1/2c for bus service, 1/2c for Rail (in Escrow) to be used when the rail is built.

[ATLTJL]

Yeah, sounds to me like Johns Creek (among other things) is annoyed that it already pays the MARTA tax and has pretty much nothing to show for it.

You can't really argue with them there, though some of the other points I don't think make too much sense.

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

I'm Not sure why MARTA is asking for a extra 1/2 cent Sales Tax for the Red Line Extension up into North Fulton County.

Seem North Fulton should get a 1/2 cent credit for the 40 years they have payed for minor bus service, after all that's the deal Clayton got 1/2c for bus service, 1/2c for Rail (in Escrow) to be used when the rail is built.

north fulton didn't have the population to warrant any kind of rapid transit service until the last 15yrs or so, which is around the time sandy springs was just getting their extension on the north line. sandy springs and dunwoody have had the population density a lot longer than roswell, alpharetta, milton.

[jero23]

And now it starts... #thisisfunny #neophytemunicipality

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by cabasse

north fulton didn't have the population to warrant any kind of rapid transit service until the last 15yrs or so, which is around the time sandy springs was just getting their extension on the north line. sandy springs and dunwoody have had the population density a lot longer than roswell, alpharetta, milton.

Took the words out of my mouth. Not only that, but Johns Creek was mainly old farms and cow pastures in the not too distant past. Like as recently as the 90s.

[jsvh]

None of the expansion is going to John's Creek so this should not be a surprise.

Also almost none of the MARTA expansion (400N, 20E, Clifton) will be inside the CoA. But that doesn't mean it won't win at the polls.

So, put it up for vote and let the people as a whole decide.

[primaltech]

Seems to me the western parts of Johns Creek especially would benefit greatly from the 400 north corridor rail expansion. 4 out of the 5 new planned stations would serve Johns Creek as park & rides, giving people some actual commute options for a change. Not to mention just the fact that some cars will be taken off the road, maybe easing the 400 commute a little bit.

Eventually what needs to happen for Johns Creek is a MARTA dedicated lane BRT type of service along 141, that would link their planned downtown and the Peachtree Corners downtown to the Gold line rail. But, any service along that corridor would be contingent on Gwinnett joining MARTA.

[kevst7]

"NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Johns Creek while in
Regular Session on November 16, 2015 that:

The City Council hereby respectfully states its full and complete opposition to any
referendum vote that would provide for increased MARTA taxes in Fulton County."

So is this them rejecting only an increase in Marta taxes, or Marta expansion in general? The article makes it seem like they do not want any Marta expansion in their area, but the resolution seems to only dispute the raise in the Marta tax. Could someone with more knowledge on this clarify it for me? Thanks.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by kevst7

"NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Johns Creek while in
Regular Session on November 16, 2015 that:

The City Council hereby respectfully states its full and complete opposition to any
referendum vote that would provide for increased MARTA taxes in Fulton County."

So is this them rejecting only an increase in Marta taxes, or Marta expansion in general? The article makes it seem like they do not want any Marta expansion in their area, but the resolution seems to only dispute the raise in the Marta tax. Could someone with more knowledge on this clarify it for me? Thanks.

The tax. It also took a dump on HB 170.