EACA Meeting
July 11, 2017
Agenda
Welcome – Dorian DeBarr
Atlanta Police Department
Trees Atlanta – Mike McCord
BATL Commemoration Update – Stephanie Parker
Land Use & Zoning: Variance Application V-17-177, 1517 Marbut Ave SE
770 Shadowridge Development – Heritage Capitol Partners
Meeting started at 7:05 pm.
Welcomes & Announcements
Update from Atlanta Police Department – East Atlanta Update: Uptick in crime. Series of burglaries in the southern area of the beat. Same pattern in 607’s beat (right next door) as well. Currently happening during business hours. City Update – Lowering, approx. 10%. Goals – Police smarter Q&A – Q: What is beat 607? A: 612 is East Atlanta. Each beat is outlined on the APD website. Q: Where exactly is the uptick? A: 5 Residential burglaries, including Gresham. Q: there seems to be an uptick in particular of some houses on the border of CofA getting hit 2-3 times. Are you sharing information with DeKalb County? A: Yes, this is very important. Q: Do the videos people post from home security tools help APD? A: The cameras need to be placed in locations where you can get a clear shot of someone’s face. Consider something looking through a window at eye level. A view of the top of the head doesn’t help anyone. Also, the clearer the image the better so consider the quality of the equipment that you use. The VIC system and LPR reading systems work well!
Community Updates
Trees Atlanta – Mike McCord – Most trees in in Atlanta are in residential areas and at risk of being removed. New shade tree program for private property! All free! Questions? Please contact me at 678-877-9079 or Michael@treesatlanta.org. What if there isn’t room for a big tree? Offer smaller fruit trees!
State of East Atlanta – 46-48% is city average. East Atlanta is similar, 46% coverage. East Atlanta Ideas
Planting behind T-shirt Lady and Cigar Village. Lot next to Argosy. Area next to East Atlanta Animal Clinic (old fire station) Right-of-way strips on Glenwood. Community Feedback – Consider roof planting
Does Trees Atlanta call 811 to check for utilities? Not generally as holes they dig are not deep enough to generally require it. Canopy Petition. Want to support the city’s canopy needs? Get a petition at the table and sign!
BATL Commemoration Update, Stephanie Parker – 153rd commencement of the Civil War on July 22.
Ongoing photography exhibit at East Atlanta Library with a silent auction. July 20 @ 7pm – Lecture from the Artist. July 2d @ 10am – Reverence ceremony at Walker Monument. July 22 @ 10:45am – Reverence ceremony at McPherson Monument. July 22 (time TBD) – Closing reception for photography exhibit at the East Atlanta Library. BATL Update – Over 100,000 of 250,000 raised so far to restore the two monuments. Consider making a donation to help!
Land Use & Zoning
Variance Application V-17-177, 1517 Marbut Ave SE – Update: Recommendation to approve by EACA LUZ and NPU-W Land Use and Zoning committees unanimously last night. Q&A Q: What are the photos included? A: Comparable houses within 1000 feet. Q: Why 5 ft.? A: Room to attend to carport without going onto neighbor’s property. Q: Planning on a 2nd floor? A: Nope. Vote 32 for, 0 against
770 Shadowridge Development – Heritage Capitol Partners – Update: Recommendation to defer/deny Heritage Capitol Partners MR-1 application and request additional information by EACA LUZ and NPU-W Land Use and Zoning committees unanimously last night. Vote 28-0, in favor to defer/deny their MR-1 application. Design of community: Cottage style homes, approx. 800 sq. ft. Stylized homes (not cookie cutter), working with Tak Architecture Studio, O4W Architects. Private green space to be maintained by condominium association. Target price $350,000-425,000 – this is new for Heritage (…?) Land for public use. Keep ½ of the land for public use. Canopy Coverage – Cut 9 mature trees and replace with planting of 53 new trees.
Updates from LUZ meeting last night – Last night there was a request for a watershed and traffic control study that are being initiated. Considering amending the application to include the request that the Ormewood Ave. land be for public use. Amended application will be sent to EACA and NPU-W LUZ department. Q&A Q: Regarding the public land, what does “dedicated to the city of Atlanta” mean? How does this work? Does the city have to accept it? Maintaining the property is not cheap. A: We have had positive discussions with the city regarding their interest in the property If the City of Atlanta does not accept it, would look for a private foundation to maintain it. If no one will take it, the community can take care of the property. Ultimately, the space will not be able to be developed, no matter who takes the land. Q: Regarding area 10, does the count of 9 trees to be taken down, does this include the trees that are in the outparcel? A: No, those 9 trees do not include the area of lot 10. Note: followed was discussion that highlighted a discrepancy between the community and the developer’s opinions of lot 10 and whether or not it is covered in trees vs. shrubs. Community Statement: this is called cluster housing and we should consider that it may be a housing option in East Atlanta even though we have never had any in East Atlanta before. Community Statement: there is frustration with the situation that a large organization is coming into our neighborhood to build something we don’t want and then leave so that we have to deal with it. Community Statement: this would negatively impact the neighborhood’s application. Q: What is an MR1 and a PDH zoning type? A: The city suggested the MR1 because of its similarity to a townhome setup. It can allow for townhome housing and potentially commercial. Alternatively, the PDH application allows the site plan to govern the zoning and does not allow for the property to evolve outside of the intention of creating a single-family housing environment. There is no zoning type for this. Q: You said that you WILL own this as of the 26th. You have also said that if we do not accept this design, you will instead proceed with an alternative design that would chop up the stream, yes? A: That is true. Note: followed a discussion as to the intention of the builder and whether or not they have actually given the community an opportunity to take ownership of the land was suggested that the community do if they want it to go to a different use. To say the least, it got heated.
Natalyn Archibong is sponsoring a project to improve communication around boil water advisories. Comments about the 770 Shadowridge property.
Motion to approve last month’s minutes & spend approved.
Meeting ended at 8:30 pm.
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