What are your impressions, thoughts, concerns or suggestions regarding the proposed site plan and uses submitted by North American Properties for the Avalon Development at the northwest corner of GA-400 and Old Milton Parkway?

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

Don't be afraid to go vertical with some of these buildings. You've got all these parking lots and spread out suburban sprawl type stuff, it looks lame and not like the future of Alpharetta. Put in more green space, a public commons, some type of park in the middle, make it attractive to people who want to WALK, not drive. If you want to have the same amount of retail and apartment space, don't be afraid to build a high rise— honestly, if we had one high rise on Haynes Bridge Road it would look better than the 30 mid-rises surrounded in a sea of parking lots that is already there. Build up, and use the space left over to make it walkable and covered in trees. You want business? Make it a destination, not another suburban shopping plaza that will be blight in 20 years.

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

I am very disappointed. It looks like typical suburban sprawl all over again. My first reaction is that it looks like a giant parking lot. It certainly doesn't look very pedestrian friendly and there is only a tiny amount of green space.

With the amount of paved space shown I get the impression it will look like the Target/Kohls complex north of Alpharetta on Hwy 9. That is certainly not at all pedestrian friendly.

Two more traffic lights on Old Milton? Really?

I would like to see:
more green space
less parking lot (put in a deck)
accomodation for bicycle traffic on Webb Bridge Road, Westside Parkway, and inside the complex
a pleasant place to walk between all the various businesses
sidewalk cafes
outdoor dining

Who wants to sit outside in the middle of a parking lot!

Terrible. Turn this space into a destination not just another parking lot!

Bob Falkenberg

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

It looks like a gigantic parking lot. It also resembles the Northpoint Mall with the roof removed. The view for Highway 400 and Old Milton Parkway needs to be addressed. A parking lot does not get it. I am having trouble finding anything that I like about it. I had envisioned something that would be more of a park like pedestrian friendly environment. Soemething more upscale than a parking lot. When I think of mixed use I think more along the lines of the proposal that was presented by Metlife. Please start over!

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

This is just another outdoor mall with some office and residential similar to that near Perimeter Mall. Very little green space and a horrendous eyesore for nearby neighborhoods. Needs to be redesigned to emphasize green space, put parking underground, several walking green streets and pedestrian/bike pathways and some real creativity.

Also it is only a short walk from the new downtown Alpharetta area and should be made easily accessible by some of the back streets that need redevelopment and tied into a comprehensive plan to make Alpharetta a warm, green inviting area so that people can walk from Wills Park, to downtown to this entire district easily, comfortably and surrounded by a park like setting without being trapped by major roadways.

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

There is a significance to a corner in architecture. Please make sure the corner of Old Milton Parkway and GA 400 is a visual delight for anyone driving on GA 400. Putting a parking structure there will not attract many to leave the highway. I am missing a 3d rendering of this development and the requirements from the developer in order to “maybe” understand what this architect was thinking.

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

Pro's - it deals with a huge uncomplete project.
There are development ideas that would be more effective near down town- (retail walking.drive)
Like is a plus for pulling growth in south Forsyth/400 (exit 13)but it is already started and and less $ for leasing.

Negatives- just a proportionally smaller Prospect Park
lots of parking area space vs use of prime land
The similar retail and commercial developments at North Point near Best Buy after 2 years is still 100% vacant
This likely only is development that just moves retailers one on site to a new one.

Just fills a big space with poor urban design. Trying to be a Atlantic Station which is poorly executed.

This space would be an awesome local/national/international Soccer/Sports complex + area for fitness centers. With a athletic centered hotel + sports physicians + sports retail + walking/bikng paths + good access from GA400 for visitors- just think of the possibilities. Develop Not just another shopping center but real community pluses.

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

1) Too many apartments, not in keeping with Alpharetta precedent.
2) I disagree with the outparcels located along Old Milton Parkway. The developer should be responsible for those parcels, and not allowed to "farm out" the development to others.
3) Do NOT add a third traffic light along Old Milton. Rework traffic flow inside the development to have more flow onto Westside Parkway, which can then find its way to Old Milton Parkway.

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

1. Eliminate all apartments, anything multi-family or any housing that is ‘for rent’.
2. Re-work the massive parking lots to include better planning of that space.
The current parking layout is lazy and highly unattractive.
3. Lower the 14-story building
4. Ask yourself…do we really NEED huge amounts of additional retail space? What will happen to the already large amount of existing vacant retail all over Alpharetta?
5. Eliminate overlap of the Downtown development & the new site. Will both spaces try to accomplish the same thing? Will they be forced to ‘compete’ with each other? If they do, that means one of the spaces will have to ‘win’ and one will be forced to ‘lose’. How can they both succeed?
6. Eliminate the movie theatre.
7. Make it pretty. Make it have a ‘village’ type feel. Make it upscale. All the things we hope Alpharetta can be.

This is okay, but I have a few suggestions or concerns.

Nice presentation last night. Of all the things you said, the two that impressed me most were 1) emphasis on green-space as an amenity and 2) potential for chef-driven/locally owned restaurants. You almost said, but did not quite say, "farm-to-table" restaurants and that would have been impressive too.

You evaded the question on parking, perhaps for good reason, I don't know, but that remains a major concern and deserved some discussion I thought. I do see this venture as a parking nightmare. It's so much happening on just 80 acres - yes, parking is an issue.

As well, the point that our weather is not the same as San Jose is a great point when it comes to the life on those green-spaces. I am all for walk-ability and green-space and gardens and such, I'm just realistic about it. This is Georgia. The people making the most money on this development will be the management company (you) and the landscape services company. But, there are ways to work in sustainable landscape design and I hope you all are doing that.

I suspect that in the end, some combination of the elements you are bringing together will be a winning combination. Will it be hotel, office, retail, rental, residential-for sale all together like that on 80 acres? Unlikely. I think you (and the other developments you mentioned - in San Jose, etc.) are throwing the whole pantry into the cake and why not? But, I do think one or more of those ingredients portends an odd flavor.