MILTON, Ga. — Jim Rosenberger’s at-home “hobby” winery in the gated Boxwood Estates subdivision off Blakmaral Lane is causing a stir among many of its neighbors, specifically those who live in Providence Plantation.
The issue, Providence Plantation residents say, is Rosenberger’s intent to offer wine tastings at the location. To visit D’Rose Vintners, customers will have to drive through the hilly Providence Plantation neighborhood.
Safety is the primary concern for Sarah Moen, whose house is near the bottom of a steep slope on Providence Plantation Drive. Her 19-year-old son, with severe autism, is prone to elopement — Moen fears that Rosenberger’s business could mean heightened traffic and potential drunk driving, putting her son at risk.
“I already have to watch him with regular traffic,” Moen said. “If all of a sudden we have people who are leaving a wine tasting coming down, that just adds extra stress and a completely new level of safety concerns that I just don’t need.”
An afternoon visit to the area showed several cars and even school buses took the 25-mph speed limit as a suggestion.
History of speeding
Moen has gathered more than 30 statements from residents of Providence Plantation as well as surrounding neighborhoods. One statement comes from Amy Squires, who spoke with Appen Media alongside Moen.
Squires, the founder and CEO of Therapy and Learning Center of Georgia, referenced a study by the National Autism Association to say two in three parents of elopers reported their missing children had a “close call” with a traffic injury.
But, Squires also noted groups of kids who ride their bikes and families who walk, all in a neighborhood with no sidewalks.
“A lot of people will say, ‘Who cares?’ as they often do when something happens,” Moen said. “… But you will when this is a…
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