It was not on the meeting agenda, but public comment during the Henry County Board of Commissioners meeting February 21 was dominated by a single topic: the county’s proposed new aquatic center and its possible impact on an adjacent residential neighborhood.

Three residents of the Fairways at Cottonfields subdivision in McDonough addressed the board with serious concerns about the design of the aquatic center, specifically the plan to build a parking lot that the community’s HOA president said will be located 50 feet from some people’s homes.

“We bought our homes on the golf course for the purpose of the view that we have, and the peace and tranquility,” said Reiginald Jackson. “There is no plan for fencing or buffers between our property line and the parking lot.”

Jackson went on to say that he and his neighbors bought their homes for a great view, one that does not include the traffic that would be going to and from the aquatic center. He said no one in the subdivision got a heads-up on these plans.

“Also, all of the commissioners that we emailed and tried to contact, some of them never replied,” he said. “I never had one kind word from any commissioner at all about our situation. Nothing.”

Other residents who addressed the board had similar concerns.

“The Cottonfields community represents a community of retirees, families and hard-working, taxpaying people,” said Banasha Shine. “Many of us selected our homes, which is the largest investment some of us have ever made, because of the small, quiet nature of the community as well as the landscape and tranquility of peace that it offers.”

Shine said she was elated when it was announced that the county is developing an aquatic center, but the county’s current plans are problematic.

“As with any public center or building, there is a concern regarding our safety and disturbances and changes that might negatively affect the community, our property values and standard of living,” she said. “A lot of the concerns could be alleviated if changes were made regarding the placement of parking near our homes and if we were informed of the plan for building, details regarding the aquatic center, traffic and most importantly our safety, property maintenance and security.”

There were no comments from the commissioners regarding the residents’ statements, which is customary during public comment time at meetings.

Jackson was asked February 27 by the Times about any new developments, and he said he received email correspondence from both Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell and McDonough Mayor Sandra Vincent suggesting that the parties could discuss possible “remediation” for their concerns, as Vincent put it.

Jackson said he responded twice to those initial email messages but no meeting or further conversation had been scheduled.