Residents from the Crestline-Chrysler Drive area urged the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on March 11 to cancel a planned roundabout and associated sidewalk work that would use Tier 1 SPLOST funding.

Mark Capps, who said he lives at 1842 Chrysler Drive, told commissioners he and other impacted property owners were not notified until November and said the roundabout would require taking private land beyond the county right-of-way, cut hundreds of trees and reduce property values. He said the sidewalk was funded only because it was combined with the roundabout in the SPLOST allocation and asked that the roundabout be removed so the sidewalk could be financed by other means.

Neighbor Lynn Tetley joined Capps at the podium and thanked commissioners for visiting the neighborhood, saying many residents remain strongly opposed to the current plan. Among the alternatives residents requested were modest traffic-calming measures — speed reductions, speed cushions or speed-display signs — rather than a roundabout.

Why it matters: The project is funded under Tier 1 SPLOST and would affect private property in an established neighborhood. Residents contend the county did not sufficiently engage affected landowners during project development and want lower-impact safety measures rather than the proposed roundabout.

What residents asked for
- Cancel the roundabout portion of the design and preserve trees and private-property lines.
- Consider speed reduction, low-cost speed cushions/strips and radar display signs as an alternative to large roadway redesign.
- Make SPLOST-funded sidewalk improvements available in a way that does not require a roundabout on private land.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners Michelle Long Spears and Ted Terry visited the neighborhood, according to public remarks; the transcript records the residents
ppeal but does not show a formal vote or staff response that same day to change the project. Residents asked the clerk to confirm available grant options and alternative funding; commissioners signaled they had heard the concerns and will continue to engage with staff and constituents.

Ending: Neighbors asked the county to redirect Tier 1 funds to projects with clearer need and to consult property owners earlier in design. The matter may return to staff for redesign or to a future committee for further consideration.