Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Location: Zoo Atlanta ARC Building, Coca-Cola World Theater
Officers/Chairs Present: Dr. Michelle Kirby, President; Michelle Botwinick, Treasurer; Eliza Adams, Secretary; Chris Newman, Public Safety; Steve Powner, Economic Development; Laura Keen, Fundraising; Heidi Reis, Philanthropic; Rick Hudson, Land Use and Zoning; Paul Simo, Homes and History.
Welcome! Housekeeping and Meeting Conduct
Officer Reports
President – Dr. Michelle Kirby (president@gpna.org):Welcome, housekeeping rules, and thanks to Zoo Atlanta for use of the theater for the meeting. Reminder: The purpose of the monthly general GPNA meeting is for GPNA officers/committee chairs, local organizations, elected officials, etc. to provide brief updates to the community. In-depth discussion occurs at the committee level.
GPPN update: Winter Wonderland: 12/8/2018. Pre-K and Kindergarten Forums: January 2019 TBD. GPPN playgroups.
2019 GPNA Officers and Chairs election – No further nominations provided. Hence, all seats are unopposed, which means there is no need for elections in December. The following officers and chairs for 2019 will be: President: Michelle Kirby; Vice President is open; Treasury: Michelle Botwinick; Secretary is open; Philanthropic: Eliza Adams; Public Safety: Chris Newman; Economic Development: Samantha McKinlay; Technology: Stephanie Warner; Fundraising: Laura Keen; Land Use and Zoning: Rick Hudson; Homes and History: Paul Simo.
Vice President – Ron Hatch (vicepresident@gpna.org) – Presented by Dr. Michelle Kirby: Please check in. Please sign in if you’re a new member. Committee sign-up sheet.
Treasurer – Michelle Botwinick (treasurer@gpna.org): Report: $34,124 currently in the treasury. $15,000 earmarked for projects. The GPNA is a IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible!
Secretary – Eliza Adams (secretary@gpna.org):October Minutes (approval vote toward the end of the meeting).
Committee Reports
Public Safety – Chris Newman (publicsafety@gpna.org): Zone 6 Community Prosecutor: Keith Lamar, (404) 612-7012. Problems last month with kids breaking into cars. They were all arrested and the rate of auto break ins have dropped. Keep your cars clean. LRB: Hill Street Texaco change of agent – Motion approved. Traffic disturbances on 11/22 for the marathon/half marathon and 5K.
Economic Development- Stephen Powner (economic@GPNA.org):Welcome to new businesses in Grant Park – None. Order your Sunburst today and have it by Friday! Next gathering TBD 2019.
Fundraising – Laura Keen (fundraising@gpna.org):2018 Annual Sponsors updates – Welcome to Jim Paisley, personal injury attorney, and Williams Teusink, LLC. Please alert Laura to any filming in the neighborhood. Moth Ball was a hit and lots of fun. Don’t forget to sign up for Kroger Rewards and Amazon Smile. Each of your purchases provide a donation in your name back to GPNA at no cost to you.
Philanthropic –Heidi Reis philanthropic@gpna.org.Nicholas House – “Make a Meal” Grant Park volunteers needed for December 28. Contact philanthropic@gpna.orgto volunteer. 2018 GPNA giving donations to the neighborhood. Motion made. *$500 to each of the GP Schools PTAs- Approved (5 total schools). *$100 to Zone 6 kids holiday Party-Approved. *$200 to APC as a motion from Homes and History-Approved. *$1,500 to Farmer’s Market as the annual donation-Approved.
Technology – Stephanie Warner (technology@gpna.org):If you are not receiving contact information from GPNA, please contact technology@gpna.org.
Homes & History – Paul Simo (historic@gpna.org):North GP annex update to the historic status is awaiting an update from the state historic commission. Corner of Confederate and Ormewood is now on the National Historic Registry. Working on the rewrite of the design regulations. A number of meetings coming up and TBA. Preservation tips of the month: Given the cold weather coming, drip your spigots to avoid freezing. Notify Paul if you see privacy fences going up in the neighborhood. Many folks are ignoring our design regulations on what a fence should be.
Land Use and Zoning – Rick Hudson (luz@gpna.org):Stadium Neighborhood Community Trust Fund (SNCTF) update: $5 million set aside for 5 neighborhoods. Working on establishing bylaws. First distribution of funds to be limited to $5,000. Beltline Rail Now update: GPNA is in support of the funding to go to the right improvements that Marta is planning. 375 Grant Circle rezoning update: in attendance from Providence group (the Developer) was Alex Brock. LUZ committee has been holding immediate neighbors’ meetings regarding the proposed Phase 1 plan by the Providence group. Last meeting was on 11/19 which approved the plan with conditions by a vote of 3 to 2. Prior meeting was on 11/15. Many members voiced concern that the meeting was an insufficient representation by the neighbors affected by the development and many were not informed that it occurred. This also raised issues over what is the definition of what an immediate neighbor is. President noted that this should be an issue that should go into the next revision of the GPNA bylaws. Much discussion amongst the body over the impact of this development on residents, given that it is on a dead-end street, effectively. Concerns of traffic volume, ingress and egress, and lack of communication on the details of the development and approval process of the 169-unit (with 186 podium parking spots) project. After much discussion by all, the agreed upon process for GPNAs support or non-support of the development would be the following: The providence Group will present their plan to the GPNA LUZ meeting on 12/6 for a vote. This outcome would then go to the monthly GPNA general meeting on 12/18 for a vote for recommendations to take to NPU-W general meeting on 12/19.
Minutes Approval Vote- October minutes approved.
Adjourn – 9:00pm.
