Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Call To Order / Start Meeting Recording. September 10, 2024, Meeting Minutes approved without dissent. September 2024 Treasurer Report approved without dissent.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Dekalb County Commissioner Race: Candidates running for Dekalb District 3 Commissioner (role formerly occupied by Larry Johnson) attended: Andrew Bell, Jakequeline “JAKE” Walls, and Tommy Travis. Nicole Massiah was unable to make it due to a previous commitment. To avoid the secretary’s implicit bias, please refer to the meeting recording for details.
Council Member Bakhtiari’s Office (Patrick Husbands): PAD has been funded through the end of the year. Brownwood Park digging work is to create ADA-compliant sidewalks. Summary from Alex Levy: Friends of the Park group was not alerted, the city arborist was not consulted, runoff was not considered, crew didn’t properly fence off its work, some of what the crew is doing will involve tearing up recent work that was done to keep mud from the newly resurfaced tennis courts. There was a complicated question about annexation rules for properties that want to join the city. Please see the meeting recording for question and answer. Reminder that early voting starts October 15 and Election Day is November 5.
Committee Reports
Public Safety: Alcohol License Request: CRU East Atlanta. 380 Flat Shoals Ave. SE (former home of Happy Donuts) (Voting Item). Additional information. This request was presented in July 2023, so there has been a good amount of discussion regarding it. It was also discussed at the most recent NPU-W Public Safety meeting. applicant offered to host a meeting with EACA to discuss any concerns in advance. That meeting was Monday, October 7 at 7:00pm. Please see key facts and data points here to help aid in your decision. There were various questions at tonight’s meeting pertaining to the info linked above. A summary follows: The restaurant/bar also will offer hookah, so an exception to the city’s smoking rules is being applied for. They are looking into parking at the State Farm lot and also at the library. There will be no live music or DJs because the city has distance requirements, and this location is too close to the library and a daycare to have live music. It will be difficult to segregate the hookah and eating areas. They plan to have onsite security to protect patrons and employees. This is a franchise, so not directly related to other Cru restaurants, particularly one in Edgewood that police representatives have complained about at past meetings. Their menu will be similar to other Cru franchises. There will be no outdoor seating. Motion to support the alcohol license passes: 17 on Zoom, 15 in the room approve; 12 on Zoom, 2 in the room do not approve; 4 on Zoom. 2 in the room abstain. Total 32 for, 14 against, 6 abstain.
Neighbor in Need – Stephanie Parker: Overview of recent projects led by our Neighbor in Need team. NIN makes repairs to homes owned by low-income seniors in the neighborhood with the goal of allowing them to age in place. This includes repairing and replacing roofs, making plumbing repairs, etc. Some vendors provide deep discounts and some free materials and installation. EACA is currently seeing a new co-lead for Neighbor in Need. You can read more about the role at our Volunteer page. The group also needs a marketing volunteer, project managers to work directly with the residents and contractors, fundraisers, sponsorships, grant writers, administrative support, small-event planners. To read more about the amazing things done by Neighbor in Need organizations, check out this recent article highlighting our sister organization, Neighbor in Need Reynoldstown: link to article. If you’d like to help, please email president@eaca.net and neighborinneed@eaca.net.
East Atlanta Parents Network – Chiara Girardi: Key upcoming events: Costume Closet will offer free costumes will be available at the EA farmers market on Oct. 10 and at Bookish on Oct. 26. EAV-o-Ween will be Saturday October 26. It starts with a costume contest at the EA farmers market lot. Festivities continue with trick-or-treating in the business district. Nov. 17 is the EAPN fall fest at the EA farmer’s market. They are always looking for donations and volunteers. Contact them via Facebook or Instagram at @EAVparents.
Outreach – Ishita Chordia: We’ve recently completed one year of our social worker program in East Atlanta, in partnership with Intown Cares. She spoke to the City Council about the program last week. Ten people have been housed and 35 are on the list for housing. Council Member Bahktiari is pushing for the former motel on Moreland to be opened as quickly as possible, with much of its space earmarked for those 35 on the list. Michael Nolan, Intown Cares case worker, reports: More than 1,000 cups of coffee shared with clients. Hygiene supplies provided – more than 2,000. Snack bags provided – more than 1,300. Six clients in the pilot year began medication-assisted treatment for addiction and are doing well as of tonight’s meeting. More than 200 ID documents obtained. More than 180 health care visits (mental and physical) completed via a team from Mercy Care. More than 160 addiction counseling sessions. Eleven people were housed by reconnecting with their families through counseling by Michael on both sides. Please see the meeting recording for many more. Did you see us in the Atlanta Journal Constitution? Our program was highlighted in the “Inside City Hall” section. Check it out.
Transportation – Zach Kosub: The committee is still pushing to meet with Georgia Department of Transportation on the Moreland/I-20 corridor plans. Other neighborhoods have joined the effort. EACA is meeting with the city of Atlanta to discuss improvements to McPherson Avenue sidewalks on October 15. This is part of our wider campaign to improve sidewalks in East Atlanta. If you’d like to be a part of our sidewalks dream team, please reach out to vicepresident@eaca.net. TrailsATL is holding an input session on Thursday, October 17, to share updates and hold discussion regarding the trails and paths we wish to see in District 5 (which includes East Atlanta). The public is invited. See flyer for meeting information.
Land Use and Zoning – Grant Dollar, Jenny Murray: Non-voting items (awareness only; no voting items; please see meeting recording for slides with details) 872 Cavanaugh Avenue – Special Administrative Permit (SAP) (Location of Eastside Swim and Social Club). Link to Folder. Application # SAP-24-174. Summary: Applicant requests for approval to construct a dumpster enclosure (behind fence), ramp to swimming pool on adjoining parcel (0 Cavanaugh) and 3 parking spaces in front of building. How to stay up to date: The SAP and any input from the community was discussed in detail during the September 30 EACA LUZ Committee meeting. A short update will be provided at Tuesday’s meeting. 1280 Portland Avenue – Special Administrative Permit (SAP) Link to Folder. Application # SAP-24-203. Summary: Applicant requests approval for an interior renovation of building including build out of 2nd level with higher ceiling – using same footprint. The SAP and any input from the community was discussed in detail during the September 30 EACA LUZ Committee meeting. There were no concerns cited at the meeting. EACA votes with no dissention to recommend approval of this SAP in our comments. Dekalb County Parcel Annexation Link to Folder. Application # SAP-24-203 (no files received, yet). Summary: Request to move 54 parcels from Dekalb County to City of Atlanta with similar zoning (MR-1, C-1, R-4). Originated by Derrick Montgomery, resident of Brighton Village.
Announcements / Community Updates: ormewoodforest@eaca.net is a new address to use if you want to get involved with the care and maintenance of this natural area.
