Notes on Neighborhood: October 2011

NPU-W August 24, 2011 Meeting Minutes
By Sandy Lee
NPU-W Chair Edward Gilgor called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
MINUTES:

• The NPU approved an change in ownership for the alcoholic beverage license at Exxon Food Mart, 1981 Flat Shoals Rd., conditioned on EACA’s approval.
• The NPU approved an alcohol license for Octane Coffee Bar and Restaurant, a new business at 437 Memorial Dr.
• The NPU approved a special event permit for Hotoberfest, which will take place October 1 in Glenwood Park.
• The NPU approved a special event permit for the East Atlanta Strut, which will take place on September 17 in East Atlanta Village.
• The NPU approved a special event permit for the Monster Dash, a 5K race in Grant Park, scheduled for October 15.
• The NPU approved a motion to support the neighbors’ right to a hearing in appealing a tree-cutting permit issued for property at 1098 Moreland Ave.

NOTES:
Atlanta Police Department, Zone 3: Officers reported some improvement in auto thefts. Last month 21 auto thefts took place. Dodge cars are most commonly stolen. Battery locks are recommended and can be purchased at auto supply stores. Copper thefts from air conditioning unit are still occurring. Three robberies were committed, two of which were in the bar district late at night. Many burglars are being arrested due to educated citizens calling with good descriptions of the perpetrators and their vehicles.
APD, Zone 6: Officers reported that larcenies from vehicles continue to be the dominant crime. Laptops and iPhones are frequently the target of the larcenies. Officers encouraged residents to be sure to take all items from autos when exiting them.
COPS Unit: Officer Tate reported on the community-oriented policing which will handle issues such as code compliance and attendance at special events.
District Attorney’s Office: Claire Farley, the Zone 3 Community Prosecutor, reported that the burglar apprehended by a neighbor and held until police arrived was sentenced to seven years and banned from Grant Park. Another suspect charged with armed robberies in Thomasville had his case postponed. Community support for the victim is needed when this case comes to trial. Paul Camarillo, the new Zone 6 Community Prosecutor, was also introduced to the group.
Department of Public Works: Michael Ayo reported on the problems with the new solid waste program known as Three in One. All solid waste services including garbage, recycling, and yard waste were to be provided on the same day. Tuesday is the new pick-up day for all southeast Atlanta. However a number of residents reported no pick-ups, some for several weeks. Mr. Ayo reported that equipment failure was the reason for the delays. NPU Chair Ed Gilgor will schedule a meeting with city officials to resolve the issues. Street sweeping will begin in southeast Atlanta on September 7 and will focus on one city quadrant per month. A new four-way stop is going in at Woodward and Cherokee, and the bike lane on Bill Kennedy way is being extended past I-20.
Atlanta Parks: Eddie Parks, Park Operations Manager, reported. The Grant Park pool will remain open until Labor Day. Chastain Arts Center is offering a fall arts program. Call 404-252-2927 for details. No information was available in response to questions regarding the potential moving of the Cyclorama out of Grant Park.
Code Enforcement: Jason Baill provided a report on recent code enforcement cases in NPU-W. Currently there are 14 cases submitted for research and 15 notices submitted for mailing. Three extensions were requested and 11 cases transferred in rem. Voluntary compliance was gained in 111 cases and no violation found in 116 cases. Residents with code enforcement concerns may call 404-330-6190.
Chair’s Announcements: Atlanta School Board Chair Brenda Mohammad will hold a meeting Tuesday, August 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Parkside Elementary School for residents to meet the new APS superintendent Erroll Davis.
Public Safety Committee Report: Ron Lall reported on alcohol license applications and special event permits.

1. The Exxon Food Mart at 1981 Flat Shoals Rd. has requested a change of ownership to their existing business. Property ownership is not changing. The business owner has signed the good neighbor agreement. The NPU Public Safety Committee recommends approval conditioned on EACA’s approval. The application was approved without objection.
2. Octane Coffee Bar and Restaurant at 437 Memorial Dr. is a new business seeking an alcohol license. The committee recommends approval. The application was approved without objection.
3. Muslim Day is a festival planned for early October in Grant Park. No one from the festival was present to speak to the application, and it was not taken up for a vote.
4. Hotoberfest will take place October 1 in Glenwood Park. Proceeds benefit Trees Atlanta and Legacy World Missions, which provides school supplies and food for children in Uganda. The application was approved without objection.
5. The East Atlanta Strut will take place on September 17 in East Atlanta Village. Several streets will be closed. Attendees are encouraged to ride bicycles and not to drive. Bike corrals will be provided free of charge. The application was approved without objection.

The Monster Dash, a 5K race in Grant Park, is scheduled for October 15. Participants will meet at the Zoo at 8:30 am. The application was approved without objection.
Land Use and Zoning Committee Report: Ed Gilgor reported.

1. Neighbors have appealed a tree-cutting permit issued for property at 1098 Moreland Ave that would destroy a number of mature hardwoods to create parking for a pizza delivery business. The owner has asked the Tree Commission to dismiss the appeal as frivolous. This would allow it to be dismissed with no hearing. SAND recently voted to support the residents’ appeal. Issues on the danger of more curb cuts were also mentioned. Mr. Gilgor requests the NPU support the residents’ right to a hearing. The NPU approved the request without objection.
2. The Beltline Subarea 4 Master Plan was approved by City Council after NPU-W expressed specific concerns and refused to approve the plan in two separate votes. There are concerns that the NPU votes were not considered by Council. This marginalizes the NPU and the voice of neighborhood residents. Mr. Gilgor is looking into this matter and will report back at the next meeting.
3. On September 1, the Board of Zoning Adjustment will consider the appeal regarding the replatting at 731 Moreland Ave. The NPU voted at the last meeting to deny the owner’s appeal of the revocation of a previously issued replat that was approved in error. The BZA hearing will take place at City Hall on September 1 at noon.

Governmental Entities: State Rep. Ralph Long, representing District 61 which includes parts of Atlanta, East Point, and College Park, reported on the recent events of the General Assembly. Reapportionment of districts is the primary issue and will probably move Rep. Long’s district northward. He is also hosting a forum for Board of Education candidates at Atlanta Metropolitan College on October 13 at 7:00 pm in conference room A. Anyone who needs to reach Rep. Long can do so at his cell phone: 770-616-2130.
Transportation Committee Report: Bob Titus reported. The Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable, representing the Atlanta metro region, is in the process of determining projects for the T-SPLOST. The southeast sector of Atlanta will get nothing if the recommendations of the executive committee are adopted. Of the $7 billion total available, recommended projects include $3 billion for roadway improvements. Meetings with city officials are scheduled for 6:00 pm on September 15 at City Hall and September 28 in Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. Moreland bus rapid transit and the MARTA East I-20 transit initiative were projects supported by NPU-W. Neighbors attended all meetings at which project lists were developed, and letters of support from the NPU and neighborhood associations were sent to elected officials, all to no avail.
Announcements: The Grant Park Moth Ball will take place on Saturday, October 8 at ZooAtlanta.
Adjournment: With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
SEABA Updates
By Ashley McCartney
Our networking soiree at Garden Hood was a huge success! We owe a huge thanks to Garden Hood and Stone Soup Kitchen for hosting. The scenery was beautiful and Stone Soup Kitchen kept our bellies full and our thirsts quenched. We gained several new members and business deals were rampant. It was definitely one of the best events of the year!
Join us on September 15, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. for our next soiree at Six Feet Under Pub and Fish House in Grant Park for an evening of networking. We will be upstairs on the patio enjoying the view of our beautiful city and the company of other entrepreneurs in our area. Bring your business cards! This is where deals get started.
Please check out our new SEABA website at www.seabaga.org for information about our new membership guidelines, leaders, membership benefits, and tactical and strategic plans for 2011-2012. If you would like to be on our mailing list or know more about our organization just send an email to ashmccartney@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you. We are also now on Facebook.
SEABA (South East Atlanta Business Association) was created through the merger of the Reynoldstown/Cabbagetown Business Association and the Grant Park Merchants Association in 2006. Our most important goals are to strengthen and grow the business community and enhance the quality of life for all residents. SEABA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation operated by volunteers.