Community

Aging in the Perfect Place — Peachtree Corners

Published

6 years ago

February 23, 2019

Above: When Bob and Lori Howard decided to downsize, it was important for them to remain in the Peachtree Corners community they love. They searched until they found the right house and renovated it into their retirement home. Photos by Mark McGovern

Once Lori and Bob Howard’s kids moved out, the couple decided they needed to trade in their 5,000-square-foot Peachtree Corners home for a smaller one.

But finding their perfect place wasn’t easy. The Howards had specific requirements: a master bedroom suite on the first floor and a full basement that Bob could finish. And they wanted to stay in Peachtree Corners because they’d lived in the area for decades and really liked it.

“We’ve got a lot of friends here,” Bob Howard said. “We’re involved with a lot of activities here in the city of Peachtree Corners. I particularly like that it’s a mix of residential [neighborhoods] with some more urban areas. It’s just a very nice community.”

A new home for a new phase of life

The Howards looked at houses for sale all over the place. At one point, Lori Howard said, they even dropped fliers in the mailboxes of houses that weren’t on the market but looked like likely prospects, asking that if the owners ever decided to sell, they give the Howards a call. The couple checked out more than 30 homes before they located one that fit the bill. “A first-floor master with a basement was nearly impossible to find,” Lori Howard said.

They finally settled on a house in the Forest Hills subdivision, which Lori Howard describes as “kind of an empty nester community” of cluster homes. The house wasn’t perfect, they said, but it offered nearly everything they needed. “We got this house because it was going to be our retirement home,” Bob Howard said.

Like other retirees who are long-time residents of Peachtree Corners, the Howards plan to stay put as they grow older.

The aging population

Other Peachtree Corners residents appear to be making the same decision. U.S. Census estimates show that while the population of the city has increased by 8 percent to 9 percent over the past five years, the number of residents aged 65 or older has increased by nearly half.

During the five years from 2013 to 1017, the portion of population aged 65 and older increased to about 10 percent from about 7.5 percent, and the city’s median age increased to 36.4 from 35.3, according to the Census. And the city’s Comprehensive Plan predicts that “those aged 55 and above will make up increasingly greater shares of the population” in coming years.
Some older residents say it’s easy to understand why they’ve grown attached to Peachtree Corners.

“This is my community,” said Henry Wischusen, a 66-year-old who grew up near Boston, moved to Gwinnett County in 1979 and then settled in 1993 in the area that later would become Peachtree Corners.

“I am an avid cyclist,” he said. “We have a wonderful bike lane right there on [Ga.] 141. I love the convenience of the stores and the new town center. I love the wooded walks we have, the wild animals. I really like the nature.”

Some retirement options

Wischusen liked living in Peachtree Corners so much that he brought his parents up from their retirement home in Florida when they needed looking after. His father has since died, but his 99-year-old his mother lives nearby in Village Place, one of several assisted living facilities existing or planned in the community.

She moved there when she could no longer get around in his home, he said. “She likes it that her family is available to her,” he said.

Now he and his wife are thinking of bringing her parents to the area. “I am definitely aging in place,” Wischusen said.

So is Paulette Couch. “I do plan to stay,” she said.

When her family moved in 35 years ago, their house was new and the community seemed “really far out” from the city, she said. But they settled in and raised a family there. Now her children and their families live in neighboring communities, she said, and her neighbors on her cul-de-sac haven’t changed.

“I love Peachtree Corners. I love how it’s grown,” the 68-year-old said. “It’s grown into something really wonderful. … I love where I am. This is just a wonderful, wonderful neighborhood.”

The home of their dreams

The Howards seem to agree. It took a bit of work, but they found the house they wanted and remade it to fit their dreams.

For safety, they had state-of-the-art security installed in every window and door, as well as three cameras positioned in the front and back. “The subdivision is known for its strong neighborhood watch organization,” Lori Howard said. “We took this into account when we chose our cluster home with a first-floor master on a full basement.”

Bob Howard, a retired engineer, did much of the renovation work himself. When they were done, they had an additional bathroom, a new deck, a waterfall out back, a remodeled kitchen and a finished basement that included a theater room, a workshop and a bar made with Honduran mahogany that Bob’s dad had collected during World War II, according to Lori Howard.

“We found this house that needed a total renovation,” Lori Howard said. “We’ve renovated everything in this house and it’s fabulous.”
And they plan to stay put and enjoy it. ■

Related Topics:aging in place Featured remodeling retirement

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Joe Earle

Veteran newspaperman Joe Earle has covered Georgia and Atlanta and its suburbs since the 1980s. Before that, he worked for newspapers in Kansas and South Carolina.

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

Published

7 days ago

April 9, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.