EACA Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2016

EACA Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2016
EACA President, Lewis Cartee called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm and welcomed all new and returning attendees.
Stephanie Cherry-Farmer, National Register and Survey Program Manager for the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, gave a presentation about the options and opportunities of East Atlanta being listed in the “The National Register of Historic Places.” Currently, the Zuber-Jarrell House on Flat Shoals Road is East Atlanta’s sole National Register-listed property but the National Register recognizes both individual properties and groups of properties. There are many benefits for properties listed in the National Register including tax credits, property tax abatements, grants for planning and rehabilitation and eligibility to donate preservation easements to nonprofit organizations. In addition, being listed in the National Register often has intangible benefits such as an increased interest in high end developments and being an attractive location for new residents and businesses that hold historic preservation high on their location criteria. Not all properties will qualify or be eligible for listing in the National Register; a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Being listed in the National Register does not impose any regulations or restrictions of property rights. The nomination process can take several months and there is much documentation that must be researched and verified. Some of the preparation may be completed by utilizing urban development focused students at Georgia State University. The first step in the process is having a sponsor (in this case EACA would be the sponsor) write the nomination. From the time the nomination is submitted to the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, it takes approximately one year of review by the Georgia National Register Review Board and the U.S. Department of the Interior before approval or denial is made. Gene Kansas of Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate spoke briefly about his experience in working with the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and the tax benefits he has been able to take advantage of. Gene summarized his feelings by stating that in order to make these projects successful [the community] needs 4 things: Political Will, Community Will, Financial Return and Teamwork. After discussion and Q & A, Andy Schneggenburger, Chairman of the Land Use and Zoning Committee asked for a motion to proceed with the exploration of the nomination process and engage the students at Georgia State to start the process. Andy reminded the attendees that this is an opt-in program but a really important tool in preserving old buildings, especially in the commercial district. The motion was passed with 28 in favor, 1 abstention. Reminder: Land Use and Zoning meeting is the 1st Tuesday of each month at Beulah Heights University at 7:00pm.
The 13th Annual Beerfest will take place on May 21 in Brownwood Park. Pre-sale tickets are $40 for regular admission at 1:00pm and $75 for VIP admission at 12:00pm. The day of the event, regular admission tickets will be $50. All proceeds of Beerfest are returned to the community by way of the East Atlanta Foundation. Volunteers for pre-Beerfest set up, day of Beerfest tasks and post-Beerfest clean up and break down are still needed. Beerfest volunteers will be on hand at the East Atlanta Farmer’s Market each Thursday prior to the May 21 event. If you would like to purchase tickets or volunteer, please go to www.eastatlantabeerfest.com.
NPU-W will be offering four movie screenings over the summer. The first screening will take place on Friday, May 13 at 9:00pm in the lot beside Argosy. The movie will be “Pan.” Burgess Peterson will be selling popcorn and there will be a hot dog vendor. Other screenings will include “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on September 9th.
The next two Public Information Meetings which will update residents on the City of Atlanta’s Zoning Ordinance Re-Write Assessment Process will be held on May 18 at 7:00pm at Passion City Church and Thursday, May 26 at 7:00pm at Atlanta Metro State College. Locations, times and more information can be found on the webpage: http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=898496759b1cba26ae184d27a&id=3d14b36149&e=c5c1bac32e. These public meetings are an opportunity for us to hear the consultant team’s findings and the strategic recommendations for changes that they think should be included in the Re-Write of the Zoning Ordinance.
Nicole Marchand Golden introduced herself and is running for Solicitor General in Dekalb in the May 24 election. Ms. Marchand Golden currently works in the D.A.’s office and was previously Chief Assistant Solicitor for approximately 7 years.
The Porch Press needs advertisers in order to stay viable. During the recession, the paper was downsized to 12 pages. Organizers have re-vamped advertising rates to attract more consistent advertisers. Advertising is what sets the size of the paper. This is a valuable community resource that needs the support of the neighborhood. Tell businesses where you frequent to advertise and ask them to call Henry Bryant for more information on advertising in The Porch Press. Rates are on line and in the paper. The deadline for advertising is around the 25th of each month.
The Old Atlanta Prison Farm was featured in Creative Loafing in April and an Urban Land Institute Study was done recently. Please join one of the tours of the Prison Farm and “like” the project on Facebook. Keep this issue in mind as you vote for City and County leaders in upcoming 2016 elections. The Old Atlanta Prison farm will host a fund raiser in July to support development of the Master Plan for the Farm. More details to come. Volunteers are needed to move this project forward. If you have an interest in becoming involved in saving The Old Atlanta Prison Farm, please see their website: www.savetheoldatlantaprisonfarm.org or send a message through their Facebook page.
From the Membership Committee: membership continues to grow as we look toward the last half of the year.
The 2016 Backyard Campout will be held during the weekend of September 10 & 11 at the Zuber-Jarrell House on Flat Shoals Road. Please mark your calendar and plan to participate.
Ali Amin Carter, representing Atlanta City Councilmember Andre Dickens Post 3 At Large, introduced himself and asked that if you have questions or concerns that Andre Dickens may be able to address, please contact him by phone or email: (cell) 404 548-6480, (office) 404 330-6041, aacarter@atlantaga.gov.
On April 24, approximately fifty volunteers from the singles group at the Buckhead Church worked on mulching, putting in a bridge and moving the trail on the south side of Brownwood Park. Visitors to the park will be able to enjoy their work as they utilize Brownwood Park this summer. EACA extends its thanks to all the volunteers.
Friends of East Atlanta Library will host a movie event on May 20, 2016 at 6:00pm with the screening of “Ghostbusters”. The library will have refreshments and the event is free.
The membership approved the April Minutes and Treasurer’s report without opposition.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32pm.