Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Call to Order–7:30pm.
President’s Introduction: Call for 2023 GPNA Officer Nominations – The nomination form has been open since the last meeting and will close at the end of tonight’s (10/18) meeting. We will vote during the November GPNA meeting for the 2023 GPNA Steering Committee. All positions are available.
Vice President’s Welcome: Neighborhood Filming Updates – Grant Park had four films in the neighborhood over the last two weeks. For the year, we’re at almost $13,000 in film impact fees for the neighborhood.
Treasurer’s Update: Monthly Financial Report in the Google folder.Shared the September Income Statement.
Public Official Update: Chuck Meadows with ANCS – The school is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will be forwarding an invitation about a celebration on Saturday, November 5 at 11:30am. It will be at the elementary campus on Grant Street.
Special Orders
Item One – Public Safety: Zone 6 & Fire Department Update. One resident raised a concern regarding Georgia State Patrol campus police speeding on United Ave up to Boulevard. Lt. Carroll recommends reaching out or emailing that team directly, as it will be more impactful. One resident raised a concern about police response time regarding accidents. Lt. Carroll stated that we can call 911 multiple times in the case of a true emergency or safety issue. Station 10 Call Volume – Engine 10 has run 251 calls for service in the last 30 days. Truck 10 has run 106 calls for service in the last 30 days. National Fire Prevention Month Tips from Station 10. Maintain your heating source – Whether an HVAC or other heater, you want to be mindful of the items around the heating source. Make sure your furnace is serviced and in good working condition. Don’t store items near your heating source – If you’re using a space heater, make sure items aren’t located too close. Don’t leave burners or grills unattended – You want to keep grills or burners at least 10 feet away from your home for safety. Never leave a burning candle unattended – If you have a candle in a jar, have a coaster or other item below so the hot candle isn’t coming into direct contact with wood or other combustible material. Get a fire extinguisher for each floor of the house – Keep one on each floor and one in your bedroom. The kitchen extinguisher needs to be kept away from the stove and should be class K. Prepare an escape plan – It’s best to have two plans in case an emergency warrants it. Also have a place outside the home so you can locate all your family members easily if a crisis hits. Regularly clean your dryer lint trap – This can be critical when lint builds up in the system or in the dryer. When the time changes to Standard Time, it’s recommended to check your smoke alarms to ensure they’re working properly. Be sure you’re up to date on your Cry Wolf City of Atlanta registration to avoid false alarms. Captain Sullivan, Fire Station 10 C-Shift, can be reached at dksullivan@atlantaga.gov. PAD Updates – Call 311 as an option to 911 for an individual in distress. If we have recurring problems in the park, the morning watch will make a patrol through the park and offer individuals assistance to move out of the park. The park is closed from 11:00pm-6:00m, so individuals should not be sleeping there. According to one resident, there seems to be a consistent number of people experiencing homelessness setting up tents or makeshift shelters on Hill Street. around Logan Street, near the I-20 overpass. If anything blocks the sidewalk, you can contact PAD. NPU-W neighborhood safety meeting is 11/7 at 6:30pm.
Item Two – Land Use & Zoning: Z-22-66: 337 Georgia Ave, R-5 to R-LC, Applicant is Grant Park Coffeehouse LLC – GPNA & NPU-W LUZ all fully recommend approval. GPNA polled the body and received unanimous support.
Kasey Sturm (Weisman Lawfirm) attended on behalf of Grant Park Coffeehouse. The rezoning seeks to return the building back to its original usage, a community merchant building. Through discussions with the City of Atlanta, it’s been in commercial use. In order to move forward and allow Grant Park Coffeehouse to participate, City is requiring a rezoning to Residential Limited Commercial, which requires a CDP amendment (low density residential to low density commercial). Because no land development is planned, they are seeking concurrent variance to accommodate the footprint of the building on the site as they come into new zoning. Asking for rezoning, CDP amendment, and concurrent variance. Rahel Tafari (Grant Park Coffeehouse) also attended to ask for approval. The goal for her team is to be back in business in the neighborhood by the end of the year. The space will be partially dedicated to space for family functions, neighborhood meetings, as well as office space for services like a therapy office (leased out). The rest of the area will be for the coffeehouse, with room to sit and work. Next LUZ meeting will be on 11/1 at 7:00pm. Zoning 2.0 rewrite ad hoc committee meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Anyone interested in participating, join these meetings and contact luz@gpna.org for more information.
Item Three – Homes & History: AUDC Comments from September 2022 – AUDC items have been very light lately. Most items are repetitive of previous updates. Design Regulations Reading Group Update – The neighborhood reading group is finalizing its work. Paul will be in touch soon to determine a date for an in-person meeting to discuss. The rest of the neighborhood will see the design regulations for further input and questions after the reading group process is finalized. Reminder that some work is exempt from a permit. More details can be found on the Department of City Planning. If you see any construction or work occurring in the neighborhood that you’re unsure about, you can email codebusters@atlantaga.gov to notify inspectors who will come out to review Monday-Saturday.
Stop Work Orders are available to the public here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/ATLANTA_GA/Default.aspx. The committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month and will be in-person starting next month.
Item Four – Transportation : South Boulevard Complete Streets – Because progress has stalled, stop signs have been proposed by the GPNA Transportation Committee along Boulevard to break up the traffic speed. Currently, the department of procurement needs to select and pay a contractor to get started, and we’ve been on that step since April 2021. This is a proposed interim solution until the Boulevard redesign takes place. The next step is to bring to Councilmembers Winston and Bakhtiari for review and approval. A vote to forward the request to Councilmember Winston and Bakhtiari to legislate all-way stop signs at Boulevard and Woodward, Sydney, Hansell, Rosalia, Delmar, Home, Robinson, and Mead with the consideration of the Atlanta Department of Transportation. 19 yes and 13 no votes were counted. Sign Topper & Donations Update – Currently at 77 sponsors for sign toppers and more information can be found here: www.gpna.org/transportation. We have roughly $10,000 dedicated for the new sign topper order and will move forward with the order.
Item Five – Fundraising Committee: Mothball Update – The event takes place this Friday at Upstairs Atlanta. There are 13 tickets available (for purchase here) as of 10/18 and one table. It will go from 7:30pm-11:30pm at Upstairs Atlanta, with food provided by Firepit Pizza Tavern. The theme is 1980s prom and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $55 and drink tickets are $18.
Item Six – Economic Development Committee: Call for Committee Volunteers – Anyone interested can email Nate Cook at economic@gpna.org.
Item Seven – Philanthropy: 2022 Grant Request form is live. GPNA has funding to distribute to nonprofit organizations doing positive work in the community. Submissions are due 11:59pm November 5. Grant Requests are for mini-grants to neighborhood nonprofits.
Item Eight – Community Items: Zoo Atlanta – New animal health center (veterinary hospital) presented by Eric Hall, Vice President, Facilities & Construction at Zoo Atlanta. The new clinic is 16,000 sq. ft and will be the new facility to care for the animals. All existing fence lines remain in place. There will be more plants on the site added compared to the foliage that needs to be removed during the build. This is currently with AUDC for review and all permitting will go through the City of Atlanta. The Zoo team is estimating a 15 month build, breaking ground at the end of Q1 2023 with a completion date at or around June 2024. The Zoo would like to host an informal meeting to discuss any concerns, particularly along the fenceline on Atlanta Ave, as well as the materials that will be used when the time is relevant. GPNA will work with Cary Burgess to determine a good time.
Approval of the September Minutes – GPNA approved.
Adjournment – 8:30pm.
GPNA Officers and Steering Committee – Online Directory: Visit gpna.org/calendar for committee meetings and Zoom links.
Catherine Manci – President; Laura Keen – Vice President; Lauren Watt – Secretary; Evelyn Pannell – Treasurer; Samantha McKinlay – Fundraising Committee Chair; Skyler Hassan – Land Use & Zoning Committee Chair;
Chris Newman – Public Safety Committee Chair; Paul Simo – Homes & History Committee Chair; Stephanie Taylor Warner – Technology & Communications Committee Chair; Phillip Kelly – Transportation Committee Chair; Carl Rowland – Legacy Neighbors Committee Chair; Amber Scott – Philanthropic Committee Chair; Nate Cook – Economic Development Committee Chair
