Politics & Government

Birrell Announces Canton Road Corridor Committee

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell is expected to reveal more about the committee to revitalize the Canton Road corridor at Thursday's town hall meeting.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell announced the formation of a Canton Road corridor committee during Wednesday's Northeast Cobb Business Association luncheon at Piedmont Church. The committee's mission is to revitalize the corridor through assisting in the land-use plan, zoning laws and more.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, the committee will consist of Andy Campbell of Columbia Properties; Carol Brown of Canton Road Neighbors; Chuck Martin of fragrance maker Arylessence; Clarice Spica of Bay Breeze seafood restaurant; Don Westbrook of Elon Salon; Blackwell Elementary School principal Maurine Kozol; Glen Wilkins, public affairs manager for Walmart, which is opening a Neighborhood Market grocery store at Canton and Blackwell roads; and landscaper Frank Wigington, who is also president of the Northeast Cobb Business Association.

The committee's county government representatives will be Birrell, planning division manager Dana Johnson, economic development director Michael Hughes, community development director Rob Hosack, zoning manager John Pederson and Planning Commissioner Christi Trombetti.

Commissioners passed changes to the county's development standards on Tuesday that are designed to help encourage redevelopment of dilapidated properties. The changes are expected to help in the corridor's revitalization.

Birrell said the committee will launch after the county completes its redevelopment website, which will allow potential developers to search for properties based on location, zoning designation and size.

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While national economic recovery is slow to reach Cobb County, the fight to revitalize Northeast Cobb’s Main Street is paying off. The Walmart supermarket is the biggest newcomer to the beautified Canton Road corridor, but it’s not the only one.

Topping the agenda of Birrell's town-hall meeting is a new marketing strategy to draw investment to the corridor.

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Also at the meeting, Johnson will discuss plans to promote development of vacant sites along the corridor.

Birrell’s town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Mountain View Community Center located at 3400 Sandy Plains Rd.


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