The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. SAND’s geographic boundaries, speaking protocols, and voting eligibility rules were reviewed.
Approval of Meeting Notes: June 2026 and July 2026 meeting notes were approved without objection.
APD Zone 6 Update – Lt. Andrew Smith
Crime Statistics: Citywide crime is down 14.92% year-over-year. Zone 6 crime is down 14.72% year-over-year. Lt. Smith noted that post-FIFA World Cup operations contributed to strong public safety outcomes across the city.
New Zone Commander: Major Fred Watson was appointed as the new Zone 6 Commander last Thursday. He is currently visiting neighborhood meetings throughout the zone. Lt. Smith will communicate a confirmed date for Major Watson to attend a future SAND meeting.
911 vs. 311 Guidance: Lt. Smith presented an APD E911 Center graphic explaining when to use each resource. The graphic will be posted on the SAND website, including a QR code for non-emergency crime reporting. Call 911 for: emergencies, situations requiring police investigation, missing persons, car break-ins, drug activity, and any situation where you are unsure. A 911 call creates a CAD case number that carries through to investigation or arrest. Communications can redirect non-emergency calls as appropriate. Use 311/ATL311 for: non-emergency service requests. ATL311 is available 24 hours a day online. Text-to-911 is also available. Calling 911 does not limit diversion options. Officers will determine on-scene whether social services diversion is appropriate, regardless of whether the initial call was to 911 or 311.
Q&A Highlights: Predictive policing: APD previously used a program called PredPoll approximately 10 years ago. It was discontinued; the algorithm told officers where crime would occur – information they already knew – and was not worth the cost. APD no longer uses predictive policing. Dirt bikes and ATVs: Operating dirt bikes or ATVs on city streets without license plates or turn signals is illegal under City Ordinance Section 150-71. Call 911, especially for repeated nuisance activity. Officers can follow up at a known residence to educate if the individual is not found on the street.
City/State/School/Other Elected Officials
No elected official representatives attended. Most elected offices are on summer recess.
Committee Updates
Education – Kristen Silton: Atlanta Public Schools is back in session; the new school year began last week. APS Academic Performance – APS is ranked #1 in Metro Atlanta for year-over-year gains in math, science, and social studies on the 2026 Georgia Milestones Assessment. Math proficiency now exceeds pre-pandemic levels across all grade bands.
Land Use & Zoning – Mike Snyder: No land use or zoning applications this month.
Ormewood Park Makers Festival – Nichole Palmietto & Noah Trepper: Festival date: Saturday, October 10. Application deadline: September 19 for artist vendors, food vendors, and workshop hosts. Visit makersfest.org to apply. Sponsor applications are open now. Sponsors wishing to have their logo on the festival T-shirt must apply by the end of August. Sponsor guide available at makersfest.org/2026-sponsor-guide. Volunteers are needed the Thursday and Friday before the festival, on the day of the event (Saturday), and Sunday/Monday for cleanup. Sign up at makersfest.org.
Social – Nichole Palmietto: Movies in the Park (Atlanta Parks & Recreation) – Atlanta Parks & Rec is hosting movie nights in parks across the city. SAND Movie Night – Saturday, August 22 at Benteen Park. Feature film: Zootopia 2.
Transportation – Brent Huff: Moreland Avenue Sidewalk & Curb Raising Project (disappointing news) – ATLDOT is investing $2 million to bring sidewalks on both sides of Moreland Avenue (I-20 to United Avenue) into full ADA compliance. Sidewalks will be a minimum of 4 feet wide (most will be 5 feet); curbs will be raised to 6 inches to address chronic roadway departure incidents. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to take up to 2 years, pushing construction start to 2028.
I-20/Moreland Interchange – On schedule. Currently constructing the new wall for the I-20 eastbound entrance ramp. Once complete, work will shift to the westbound exit ramp, which will be converted from the existing looping design to a straight exit. Project completion projected mid-2027.
Pedestrian Crosswalks on Moreland – Two crosswalks are fully functional: Thomasville Heights/Starlight Drive-In area, and Aldi/Moreland Drive. Two additional crosswalks (in front of Bank of America and Halidom) are fully installed and will be activated within approximately 30 days once programming is complete.
United Avenue/Skyhaven Alignment – This project will align United Avenue and Skyhaven Drive and add left-turn lanes on Moreland; construction is expected to begin this winter.
Southeast Atlanta Beltline Connector Trail & HUD Grant – SMAWG was awarded a $500,000 HUD grant (through Representative Nikema Williams’ office) to fund studies for improvements to the Moreland Avenue Entrenchment Creek Bridge. The Southeast Atlanta Beltline Connector Trail is becoming a reality. The trail is planned to run from United Avenue along Entrenchment Creek, past Halidom, cross Moreland, and connect to Custer Avenue, ultimately linking to the South River Trail Network in DeKalb County. DeKalb County just received approval for the Bonsai Trail this past week. Active partners: PATH Foundation, Atlanta Beltline, DeKalb County, and SMAWG. A multi-entity meeting is scheduled for September 23.
Bill Kennedy Way/Southside Beltline (Q&A, Nina Gentry) – The Atlanta Beltline plans to eliminate most or all on-street parking on Bill Kennedy Way, install an elevated protected trail (replacing the current planter-separated path), add trees between the trail and the road, and build a new bike-pedestrian bridge over I-20. No firm start date; the Beltline is prioritizing completion of the full loop. Updated plans are available at the Atlanta Beltline website under “Southside Trail Updates.”
Matters for Voting
Special Event Applications & Alcohol License Applications – None this month. Election of Communications Chair Matt Gray: Gray was approved without objection.
Neighborhood Announcements
TrestleTree Village/Wingate Properties – LOU & Invest Atlanta Update (AJ Hill):
Following the July meeting, the SAND President worked with the Tapestry representatives and Mike Snyder to draft a conditional letter of supportaddressed to Invest Atlanta. The letter went out in late July.
The Letter of Understanding (LOU) between SAND and Wingate is on approximately the 6th iteration. Four of the five areas of concern are in a strong position. The outstanding issue remains fully integrated mixed-income development across all buildings.
Wingate’s latest proposal: expand the replacement building (Phase 1) from 188 to 208 units, with 10 units at 80% AMI and 10 at market rate – a modest level of income integration within the affordable component.
The Invest Atlanta Board will meet in September to decide whether to approve the development. SAND’s conditional letter of support is before the board.
LOU Process (Nathan Clubb): The LOU is between SAND and Wingate. All conditions in the LOU were included in the letter to Invest Atlanta.
NPU Process Clarification (Allison Glass & Mike Snyder): A separate letter to Invest Atlanta is being drafted at the NPU-W level, incorporating key points from the SAND LOU and the TrestleTree Tenant Association letter where the two documents do not conflict. Neither letter will be physically altered; both will be included as exhibits, with the SAND letter taking precedence in the event of any conflict. Parallel tracks: SAND LOU (in negotiation with Wingate), GPNA letter (opposition to the development), and an NPU-level letter currently being drafted. Multiple community voices are being assembled to inform Invest Atlanta’s decision.
Upcoming Events & Reminders
NPUW General Body Meeting: Wednesday, August 19 at 7 p.m.
Next SAND Meeting: Wednesday, September 10 at 7 p.m.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn approved without objection.
