President, Lewis Cartee called the meeting to order at 7:04pm and welcomed all new and returning attendees as well as 2016 EACA Board members and Committee Chairs.
Public Safety – Lt. Floyd of APD Zone 6 Precinct reported on crime in the area on behalf of Major Timothy Peek and Captain Gourly. 2015 saw an overall 5% decrease in crime in Zone 6 after an overall 14% decrease in 2014. Zone 3, which borders Zone 6, had an 8% decrease which is encouraging. All crime categories except homicides saw a decrease. Community involvement is the top reason for the decrease in crimes within the Zone. The 28-day crime report included two robberies (one on Brownwood), vehicle break-ins, and home burglaries, all of which continue to be of concern. Lt. Floyd reminded residents to be aware of your surroundings, don’t make yourself a target by being distracted by electronics. Please lock your home doors and windows. Well-lit properties help APD have visibility around the neighborhood. Install and use a monitored home alarm system. It’s the fastest way to get APD on the scene in case of a break-in. Clean out your car and do not leave anything of value visible in your car and do not leave your car unattended to warm up in the mornings. Most vehicle thefts in the Zone occurred during the morning hours when cars were left running. Be a nosey neighbor and report anything unusual to 911. One resident expressed concern about people running traffic lights on Moreland Avenue. Lt. Floyd will ask the Zone Commander to investigate. Another resident expressed concern about an abandoned, white truck near the intersection of Braeburn and Pasley. Lt. Floyd said he would follow up on the issue.
There was one new liquor license application for Jamrock Restaurant. The application was approved by eligible EACA voting members.
LUZ – One application for rezoning was presented. Application Z-15-064 concerns two parcels of land at 1713-19 Flat Shoals Road (at the front) and 1071 Fayetteville Road (in the rear) near I-20 and Hillburn Avenue. Currently zoned RG-3-C and O-I respectively, the applicant requests that zoning be changed to PH-D to accommodate the development of a 17 single family cul-de-sac development with an entry on Flat Shoals Road across from the Flat Shoals Road I-20 exit ramp. Plans include a traffic light at that intersection. The application documentation, including the proposed site plan, can be found under “Land Use and Zoning” on www.eaca.net. Nina Jentry, representing the applicant, presented an overview of the project as well as a summary of issues raised by the NPU during the November NPU-W meeting and affected neighbors during several community conversations. Several of the impacted neighbors were in attendance. Concerns of note included density and lot size, current and potential rain water runoff, design, architecture and set-back limits of the structures, safety and maintenance of a proposed storm water detention pond and strategic landscaping to preserve privacy and reduce noise from I-20 traffic. NPU-W voted twice to deny the application and asked EACA membership to approve or deny the application. The motion to deny the application passed with 35 affirmative votes, 1 opposing vote and 4 abstentions. NPU-W will meet on January 27 (7:30 p.m. at Eastside Church) to form the community’s formal recommendation to the City’s Zoning Review Board. The public is invited to attend all NPU meetings.
Councilmember Mary Norwood is the new Zoning Committee Chair for the Atlanta City Council. She scheduled two Public Information Meetings, one on January 11 and one on January 12, to inform residents on initial findings of consultants brought in to start the process of rewriting City of Atlanta Zoning codes and solicit community input. The Land Use and Zoning committee will add future information to the newsletter and at EACA meetings.
Porch Press Board nominations of Howard Fore and Kirk Henderson were accepted by EACA membership without opposition. The final election will take place in April.
Tyler Petito from Acorn Amplifiers introduced himself and invited community members to stop by and utilize their repair and custom services coming soon to the old Gravity Pub location in EAV.
Georgia Bikes! provided bicyclist safety guides to attendees.
Beautification – There have been issues raised about “AJC Reach” literature, which is delivered in plastic bags on a weekly basis, causing a hazard in storm water run-off drains during heavy rain. Although there are avenues for residents to opt-out of receiving these advertisements, it was recommended that the Beautification Committee contact the AJC and request that delivery be stopped in all of East Atlanta. Individuals who would like to continue to receive these advertisements may contact the AJC and re-start delivery for their own address. The membership voted to ask the AJC to stop distributing this literature, 33 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention.
Burgess-Peterson Academy will host an open house on February 3 from 9:00am to 10:30am for prospective parents. For more information, please see the school’s website www.burgesspeterson.com.
Alex Beasley of Trees Atlanta presented information on two projects in the East Atlanta area. The first involves the ongoing invasive species eradication project. The other is a tree planting project on January 23 in the right of way in front of several residences on Brownwood Avenue and Stokeswood Avenue. Affected residents have been invited to decline to have Trees Atlanta add trees to their right of way or have input into what kinds of trees they would like to have. Community participation in the January 23 planting is welcomed and encouraged. Volunteers should meet at the tennis courts in Brownwood Park at 9:00am.
The 2015 Review of EACA accomplishments was presented. For a copy of the accomplishments, please see the EACA website at www.eaca.net.
Membership – Paid membership is up by 70 new and renewing members from this time last year. Membership is $10 per household per calendar year. For more information, please email membership@eaca.net.
The December 2015 Minutes and January Treasurer’s report were both approved without opposition.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48pm after a round of thanks to Armando Celentano for agreeing to chair the newly redeveloped Economic Development Committee for 2016.
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