President, Mary Yetter called the meeting to order at 7:08pm and welcomed all new and returning attendees.
Lt. Floyd with City of Atlanta Police Zone 6 gave an update on crime in the area. As typical for this time of year, robberies, burglaries and other instances of crime have trended upward in East Atlanta over the last 28 days. There has been an arrest in connection with a robbery that occurred on Portland Ave. A group of young males have been robbing and car-jacking in Woodland Hills, Grant Park and EAV. APD believes that the suspect apprehended was connected to these incidents in addition to the Portland Avenue robbery. APD credits an increased law enforcement presence in the area for the timely arrest. These resources allocated to high crime areas are in anticipation of the uptick in crimes. There was also an arrest in connection with a burglary incident on Ormewood Avenue. Lt. Floyd reminded residents again to please be aware of your surroundings and walk with focus to and from your car when visiting businesses in the area. Cell phones are particularly targeted because they are easy cash. The non-emergency phone number of the Zone 6 Precinct between 6:30am and 11:00pm is 404-371-5002. Residents raised the issue of homeless persons becoming more aggressive behind Grant Central, which is private property. In cases where there is a threat of a customer’s safety, 911 should be called, however the presence of homeless individuals must be initiated by the property owner, who must file a complaint.
Ted Bradford from Councilmember Natalyn Archibong’s office updated the association on two issues: the crosswalks on Flat Shoals Road after the repaving project are not quite finished but work is continuing. The East Atlanta Corner project is being decommissioned and dismantling. The planters in the Corner Project are coming down because plants were not growing and the weather is beginning to get cooler. It is still an area of concern so hopefully other groups will start a project in that location.
Nickie Thompson and Andrew Feury introduced the “Coan Splash” project, a 3-pad water feature suitable for all ages and abilities, in Coan Park, similar to the one in Old Forth Ward. Renderings of proposed designs were presented, which have been reviewed by Dekalb County Parks and Recreation. Organizers are expecting a completion target date of 2017, with a projected building cost of approximately $650,000 and they are visiting neighborhood groups on the East side of Atlanta to solidify support and sow the seeds for volunteers and fund raising efforts prior to presentation of the Master Plan. The community groups for Kirkwood and Edgewood voted to approve the concept. East Lake, Lake Claire and Candler Park have been contacted and a partnership with Park Pride has been established. Members of Coan Splash are utilizing Park Pride’s knowledge, expertise and experience in community improvement projects and the volunteer recruitment and fundraising needed for a project of this scale. Thompson and Feury asked for a motion of conceptual support from EACA membership present, 19 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. The committee is looking for volunteers outside of Kirkwood to help with organization. For more information please see www.CoanSPLASH.org.
Lauren Janis gave an update on the 3rd Annual Dogtoberfest which will be held on Sunday, October 18 from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. A fund raising effort, the event began in 2013 to teach people about responsible dog ownership and help support rescue and education endeavors. The cost to enter the event is $5 per dog, people are free and the proceeds are to be used for sanitation stations in public areas as well as fund dog-centric grants in the area. Activities, vendors and costume contests will be held in the EAV Farmer’s Market space on Flat Shoals Road. Please plan to attend or volunteer a few hours of your time. Contact dogtoberfesteav@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities or inquiries.
EAV-O-Ween will be held in East Atlanta Village on Saturday, October 31. The costume contests will begin at 5:00pm at the Farmer’s Market lot. There will be trick-or-treating around The Village businesses, vintage scary movie showings in the lot by Argosy and the dragon will be fired up for s’mores and neighborhood enjoyment. EACA would like to encourage neighbors who plan to buy candy to hand out to children on Halloween, to donate their candy (Joe’s Coffee is accepting donations on behalf of the business community) and plan to spend Halloween in The Village. Crossing guards and other volunteers will be on hand to provide a safe and fun environment for the whole family. If you are able to volunteer to help or have questions about the event, please email artsculture@eaca.net.
Ed Gilgor presented information about the proper placement of trash and recycle cans at the curb. If you need more information please email Ed at Edward.gilgor@gmail.com. If your trash can is improperly placed in the street after collection please take photos, send your name, address and the date to npuw.trashcan@gmail.com.
Ed continued with a presentation on the 911 system of the Atlanta Police Department. For questions, comments or clarification on the use of 911 please email Edward.gilgore@gmail.com.
Natalyn Archibong presented an update on the Fulton-Atlanta Library situation. Earlier in the year, Georgia Legislatures passed a bill which removed “Atlanta” from the Atlanta- Fulton County Library name and eliminated Atlanta’s representative from the Board, leaving only one non-voting member on the Board from Atlanta. A resolution to amend or repeal that bill is needed to restore representation for Atlanta’s three libraries that are in Dekalb County, not Fulton County. Leadership in the three affected libraries as well as Councilmember Archibong are developing a strategic plan to present to Georgia Legislatures to ensure that a representative will sponsor and champion the bill in the next Legislative session in January 2016. Pat Gardner is the likely person to head this effort.
Parking on narrower streets has become an issue especially during the Farmer’s Market and other neighborhood events. The councilmember will take the issue back to the Transportation committee to get feedback and possible solutions.
LUZ application V-15-314 regarding 631 Flat Shoals Avenue – currently there is a utility easement on the north side of the parcel. The applicant has requested a reduction in the side yard set-back from 7’ to 3’. NPU-W voted to deny application based on the fact that it is new construction and a home can be designed to fit the current space. It does not create a hardship for a property owner of an existing property. Members in good standing voted on recommendation to deny the application, 18 voted to deny, 1 vote to approve, 0 abstained. Addendum: After this issue was presented to the EACA membership, the application was withdrawn.
Parking survey update – The committee counted formal and informal parking spaces in the commercial district in the Village and is now gathering square footage of commercial space that depend on those spaces in an effort to determine what pressure there will be on the available parking space for future commercial development. Council Member Archibong’s office has supplied most of that information and the committee should have more information to present at next month’s EACA meeting. Email landuse@eaca.net.
Tony Crump reminded attendees that he is available to take new memberships and membership renewals. There were approximately 30 members who renewed or signed up as new members at The Strut in September.
As a reminder to the East Atlanta community, EACA will elect new officers and committee members to serve the community in 2016. If you have an interest in being a board member or getting involved in one of the many committees, please see any member of the Nomination Committee: Tony Crump, Laird Ruth or Henry Bryant. Also scheduled for the December 8th EACA meeting is the Annual Pot Luck Dinner. Please note that the December meeting will be held at Brownwood Park Recreation Center, not Branan Towers. EACA will assist a family in need from the East Atlanta Kid’s Club this year with your toy or monetary donations.
Friends of East Atlanta Library will host an art opening with refreshments and music featuring the work of artist, Mark Hodges on October 23 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Education Committee – Burgess Peterson will host an open house on October 14 from 9:00am to 10:30am for new, prospective Pre-K, Kindergarten and first graders. Neighbors and others are invited to the Burgess Peterson Fall Festival on November 7 from 12:00pn to 4:00pm. Visitors will have an opportunity to speak to the new principal, Mr. White and tour the school.
The September Minutes and October Treasurer’s Report were approved without opposition or revision.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm.
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