“Part of the reasons for these meeting is to get that public input,” said Councilman Chris Burnett. “Are we hearing concerns and evaluating, ‘Is this the best possible design that we can put together? Is it going to have the deisired result.’”

If designs are developed according to the current plan, Hammond Drive between Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive will bear no resemblance to what it is today. Changes would impact nine side streets. The concept widens Hammond adding a lane in each direction. In addition, there will be more turn lanes at Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive, and sidewalks and greenspace will be installed.

The most controversial topics at the open house were planned roundabouts at Hilderbrand Drive and Lorell Terrace; and a pedestrian underpass with multi-use paths at Kayron Drive.

“The roundabouts are intended to slow traffic,” said Johnson.

The designs are based on residents’ comments at neighborhood meetings and open houses.

Ellen Collins disagrees with the city’s decision to add roundabouts. She and other attendees are certain traffic will simply overflow onto the side streets.

“A roundabout funnels traffic onto roads that might not be used today,” said Collins, a 25-year resident. “I don’t want it coming on Lorell.

Residents on Kayron would be impacted in other ways. Motorists would no longer have access to Hammond due to the new multi-use path. Ben Hendry lives near the corner of the Hammond intersection. Current plans indicate Sandy Springs would want to buy his property to make way for the pedestrian pathway. The city plans to purchase a total of 80 parcels along Hammond and other side streets before construction starts.

“My wife and I bought there 16 years ago,” said Hendry, a local teacher. “We’re raising our kids there. I walk and bike to work and she works from home. So, we’re concerned that if we need to move, can we get enough value for our property for a comparable home in Sandy Springs?”