Call To Order / Start Meeting Recording 7:00pm.
January 9, 2024, Meeting Minutes Approved without dissent. January 2024 Treasurer Report Approved without dissent.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Representative Saira Draper, Congressional update from week 6. Session has been contentious, not unusual, but especially bad because this is an election year. Reminder that Republicans hold the majority in both houses. Bill was passed to increase number of crimes that require cash bail. She opposed that. For more info, sign up on her website to receive her newsletter. Q: Senate Bill 417 about local control on some public safety issues, including professional fireworks display. To whom can he talk about that? A: She isn’t familiar with the bill but will look into it. Bill may not have made it to the House yet. Send her an email.
Commissioner Johnson’s Office, Florence Coram , Our Soundtrack in American Music coming up. See chat for info.
Council Member Bakhtiari’s Office, Patrick Husbands, Georgia Works Update: Contract has been signed for them to be at work cleaning up the Village and they will start soon. Q: At the EA sign in front of Buddy’s, the utility area was torn up and then left for months. A. Patrick has been trying to get an update. Q: Thanks for Bakhtiari’s help working on the problem house on Gresham. A: Next to that house, there will be another entrance to the park cleared soon. Ken Zeff, new school board representative, Board is in the middle of searching for a superintendent and will be narrowing the candidates soon. Maynard Jackson was going to be rezoned but turns out that isn’t necessary. The pre-K lottery is now open and will be until March 15. Q: King, in a poor neighborhood, seems to have much lower test scores than schools in more affluent neighborhoods. What can be done to address this and how can parents help? A: Board needs to work on that when the administration brings the budget to it. Q: Those in charge of food nutrition programs are not interested in parent feedback and input. A: He’ll take that back to the admin and will is getting more engaged in the issue.
Public Safety Update – Zone 6 Representative Lt. Robert Godwin: Today is his third day in Zone 6. Q: Suspected hate crime on McPherson about three weeks ago. Any updates? A: He hasn’t heard about that but will look into it. Myron Pollster of EACA Public Safety committee has been working on 911 problems in city and county. Latest focus is on the county, but also still working on the mis-routing problems with the city when calling 911. Arrest was made in the killing last fall at Argosy. East Atlanta Security Patrol update: Officers working 20 hours a month. EACA 2024/2025 Budget , Ralph Green and Stephen Morris. Overview of our 2024/2025 budget for discussion. To be voted on during March meeting. Please pre-review! Budget is presented this month and will be voted on next month. See link on the agenda to the proposed budget. EAPN update, Carleen Hinesley EAPN prom is coming soon. It will be at Brownwood Rec Center. Watch social media and newsletters for info. The annual Easter Egg Hunt is coming soon as well. They are seeking donations for that.
Land Use and Zoning Update – Grant Dollar, Jenny Murray: Grant started with a slide presentation on R4 zoning. Please see meeting recording. 594 Gresham Avenue- Setback Variance (voting item) link to Application. Application # V-24-016. Summary: Applicant seeks to reduce rear setback from 15 to 5 feet. The property is a corner lot which backs to an unused 10-foot-wide alleyway. As a result, building 5 feet from the property line would make the ADU 10 feet from the middle of the alley and 15 feet from the abutting property’s property line as well as 17.5 feet from the adjacent street. Recommendation from LUZ Committee: Unanimously approve. EACA body approves without objection. 767 Maynard Terrace – Setback Variance (voting item) Link to Application. Application # V-24-009. Summary: Applicant seeks a variance to reduce the south side yard setback from 7 feet to 4.3 feet. The applicant seeks to build a roof covering the existing front steps. The existing home was built prior to current zoning and the setback variance is required for new construction over existing steps within the setback. Recommendation from LUZ Committee: Unanimously approved. EACA body approves without objection. 740 Moreland – BZA Appeal (voting item) Link to Application. Application # V-23-197 Summary: Applicant has appealed to Board of Zoning Adjustment to allow a Tire Shop at the corner of Moreland and Ormewood. MRC-1-C does not include tire shops as a principal permitted use or special permit and states: “Any principal use and structure not specifically listed above is prohibited in this district.” BZA Appeals are not the same as voting on other applications. Here, we are providing a position from EACA to the NPU to include as a comment to the BZA. Recommendation from LUZ Committee: Defer taking a position until clarification is received from the city on the basis of denying the applicant’s initial application; otherwise, recommend BZA deny appeal if applicant chooses to move forward at this time. EACA body votes in favor of the committee motion: 31 yes, 5 no, 6 abstain. 845 Flat Shoals Avenue – Parking Variance (voting item) Link to Application. Application # V-24-014. Summary: Applicant seeks a special exception from the zoning ordinance to reduce the minimum off-street parking from the required 32 parking spaces to 14 parking spaces. Recommendation from LUZ Committee: Unanimously approve. EACA body approves without dissent. NC-16 – Bouldercrest Triangle (voting item) Link to summary of key changes from previous version. Link to latest draft of the legislation. Summary: Zoning update for the Bouldercrest Triangle. Series of meetings with property owners and stakeholders in recent months. Feedback received and incorporated into updated NC-16 zoning. Still in the process of meeting with each owner to talk through changes and seek buy-in. EACA general body votes to approve the motion 32 yes, 3 no, 1 abstains. Proposed City of Atlanta Legislation: “Microhomes” Link to information folder. 23-O-1520 (Z-23-87) Ordinance to require a Special Use Permit (SUP) when developing a single-family dwelling with fewer than 750 sq/ft as a principle use & structure. EACA had not planned to vote on this issue, but a motion was made and seconded. EACA body votes to reject this legislation 26 yes, 1 no, 2 abstain. East Atlanta Sustainable Development Plan (update only) Initial conversations taking place to update a comprehensive development plan for East Atlanta. Last completed in 2000. Will help guide future development. Will be a long process with many points of gathering community impact. Seeking initial volunteers to help develop the plan for how the process is carried out
Announcements / Community Updates
Porch Press Board Nomination, EACA has 3 representatives on the Porch Press Board of Directors. One of these positions has become open. EACA needs to nominate a representative to fill this spot. For the past three years, Péralte Paul has filled this position; he is a member of the proofing and editing crew. He is willing to continue and serve another 3-year term. During Tuesday’s meeting, we will vote on Peralte’s nomination or hear any additional nominations. Our other two representatives are Henry Bryant and Howard Fore. Their terms will be up in the coming 1-2 years. EACA body votes without objection.
EACA Call for Volunteers – We’re excited for our role in shaping East Atlanta to be the community we envision for the future. But we won’t get there without engaged members of the community to help make it happen. Please reach out to president@eaca.net or any member of the EACA Executive Committee to find out how and where you can support. You can also find a List of Open Positions here.
Ongoing Recruitment for Committee Involvement: Arts and Culture, Communication, Community Outreach, East Atlanta Parent Network, Education, Fundraising and Grants, Land Use and Zoning, Membership, Neighbor in Need, Parks and Greenspace, Public Safety, Transportation.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment.
