Opening remarks: The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. Voting rules and SAND membership eligibility were reviewed. One voting item on the agenda: alcohol license.
Approval of meeting notes: The April meeting notes–the first produced using AI–were approved without objection.
City/State/School/Other Elected Officials
Lt. Andrew Smith (APD, Zone 6): City-wide crime is down 16.01% YTD; Zone 6 is down 20.94%. How to report crimes after the fact / submit video evidence: Call 911 even for after-the-fact incidents (e.g., attempted break-in caught on home camera). An officer will respond to take the report, and footage can then be submitted via the Axon evidence system through a link sent to your email. Calls are prioritized; reporting a non-emergency will not displace active calls. APD investigative unit phone directory shared in chat: atlantapd.org/about-apd/phone-directory.
Shad Rembert (Council Member Jason Winston’s Office, District 1). FY2027 City budget briefings ongoing. Next interactive public hearing: Wednesday, May 20. Councilmember Winston (Finance & Executive Committee Chair) is focused on a transparent, community-centered process. Winston participated in a FIFA World Cup work session; partner organizations updated on tourism readiness, economic opportunity, and transportation planning. Newsletter:ATLDistrict1.com.
Kysha Ferguson (Fulton County Commission, District 4): Unable to join due to technical issues.
Jennifer Freeman (Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ Office, Congressional District 5): Congresswoman’s Small Business Resource Fair: Friday, May 29, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. Connects entrepreneurs with banks, community organizations, government programs, and service providers. Attendees can win a $1,500 scholarship to the Wells Fargo Learning Lab at Rice Center. New legislation introduced (links shared in chat): Negating Neighborhood Noise Act (reintroduced) – would allow federal funds to be used for noise barriers along existing federal and state highways in underserved communities. Black Maternal Health Crisis legislation (reintroduced); protects mothers and addresses racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Leadership/Committee Updates
Education (Kristen Silton): APS recognized by Harvard and Stanford in a joint case study as a “school to watch;” APS students are improving in math and reading faster than comparable districts. APS Board of Education approved the first balanced budget since 2023. Open parent survey for students with IEPs closes May 30; link shared in the chat. Open to all families with IEP students. Last day of school is May 22. APS encouraging community awareness of TADs (Tax Allocation Districts) and their impact on APS funding; resource link in chat. School updates: ANCS Elementary – New principal Nicole King (former assistant principal) starts next year. Maynard Jackson High School graduation – Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
Land Use & Zoning (Mike Snyder): 668 McDonough Boulevard parking variance was discussed but no formal vote; will be brought before SAND at the June meeting. Ormewood Park Makers Fest 2026 – October 10 (Nichole Palmietto & Noah Trepper, Co-Directors). Planning committee is underway. The kickoff session was a success. Seeking committee volunteers for: Kids Zone expansion, Dog Zone activation, and Workshop coordination. Two more social/in-person planning sessions planned (around July 4 and ~1 month before the festival). To join the committee: directors@makersfest.org.
Social (Nichole Palmietto, Chair): Town Hall Recap – Community town hall on April 28 at Halidom Eatery was well received. 25-30 SAND neighbors attended. Council Member Jason Winston and State Rep. Kim Schofield both presented. A social mixer preceded the formal program.
Transportation (Brent Huff): Reynoldstown Beltline Safety Improvements (Madison Yard entrance/exits): The Atlanta Beltline agreed to all requested improvements prior to a SAND vote; no vote needed. Improvements include repainting striping, adding warning signs, and stop bars. Woodland Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project: replacing damaged sidewalk sections and driveway aprons from Moreland Avenue to Custer Avenue via T-SPLOST Moving Atlanta Forward funds; ADA compliance standard. Completed through Eden Avenue as of this meeting. Look for white spray-paint markings (arrows or “ramp”) to see what’s already flagged. Residents can report un-flagged problem spots to Brent at transportation@sandatlanta.org. Beltline trail segments 4 and 5: are open. All access points now open except the United Avenue ramp (guardrails are nearly complete; expected within the week). The Boulevard crossing raised-table is now complete. The last two sections along Boulevard Heights are expected to open in coming weeks, completing an 18-mile southern loop. Mercer ramp accessibility: Resident raised concern about stair pitch being difficult for elderly neighbors. Brent committed to bringing the request for an accessible ramp option to the Beltline.
Technology & Website (Migal Manickaraj): Ongoing website improvements continue; notable reduction in clutter on sandatlanta.org.
Matters for Voting
Alcohol License – Moreland Liquor LLC, 1391 Moreland Avenue: Represented by Kevin Leff. Client has 20 years in the industry and two other stores; under contract to purchase the Moreland Liquor Store and the property. Located near Entrenchment Creek, adjacent to auto parts store. NPU-W Public Safety Committee approved at their meeting the night prior (confirmed by Crystal Porter at the meeting). SAND voted to recommend approval; approved without objection.
Matters for Review and Discussion
Wingate/TrestleTree Redevelopment: Informational Presentation (Grayson Sallade, John Tatum, et al.) Wingate is under contract to purchase both TrestleTree parcels (north and south) in July 2026. The south parcel is in Ormewood Park; the north parcel is in Grant Park. Both sit adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline. Three-phase development plan (preliminary/working draft, not a filed plan):
Phase 1 – South Site (Affordable, “Blue”): Two 4-5 story mid-rise buildings; all 2-bedroom units. All 188 project-based Section 8 units preserved; zero permanent displacement of current residents. Financed via 4% tax credit application (due in the September 2026 cycle; award/declination expected October). ~0.4 parking ratio. Stream buffer currently shown at 25 feet (state minimum); city standard is 75 feet; Wingate committed to following applicable requirements after full site investigation.
Phase 2 – South Site (Market Rate, “Orange”): 5+ stories of market rate housing; parking integrated into topography; at minimum, Beltline Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) affordability requirements. No unit counts committed yet. Phases 2 and 3 do not proceed without Phase 1 completion.
Phase 3 – North Site (Market Rate): At earliest, five years out. Market rate housing; preliminary only. Existing through-street and Beltline stairwell access will be maintained. No gates planned; topography provides natural buffers. North site residents will have brand new units in Phase 1 before any displacement. No rezoning requested at this time; plans work within existing zoning and account for anticipated ATL 2.0/Zoning 2.0 changes.
Community Discussion Highlights
The SAND President emphasized the importance of maintaining broad pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to the Beltline and surrounding neighborhoods; not just stairwell access, but community-wide connectivity through the site.
Paul Bolster encouraged Wingate to restore the stream/wetland area along Entrenchment Creek (former beaver dam area) and consider affordability options for market rate phases.
Design firm TSW is engaged (also working on Wingate’s City Lights South Phase 6 in the 4th Ward). Community member Clinton Tomasino recommended including topographic section drawings in future presentations.
Next steps: Wingate to share preliminary presentation (with working draft watermark) with SAND President at president@sandatlanta.org for distribution. SAND President to coordinate with Wingate and Invest Atlanta on a community comment/support letter. Letter needed by approximately July 2026. Additional presentations expected as plan develops.
Neighborhood Announcements
Red’s Farm Preserve Visioning Survey (Park Pride/Urban Farm Ormewood, Inc.): Final survey closes May 20. Community input shapes a long-term vision/master plan (framework with 4 guiding principles) for how the preserve is programmed and improved. Plans shown are diagrammatic. Survey link: parkvisioning.wixsite.com/reds-farm (also in chat). All SAND members are encouraged to participate.
Upcoming Dates
May 20, 2026, 7 p.m. – NPU-W General Body Meeting (virtual)
June 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – Next SAND Meeting (virtual)
