Opening Remarks: The meeting was called to order at 7:33pm. Voting rules and SAND membership eligibility were reviewed. Lighter attendance was noted due to the APS spring break.
Approval of Meeting Notes from the March meeting: The meeting notes were approved without objection.
City/State/School/Other Elected Officials
Lt. Andrew Smith (APD, Zone 6): City-wide crime is down 18.24% YTD; Zone 6 is down 23.45%. Theft from autos remains the most challenging crime. Residents are reminded to remove all valuables from vehicles (Clean Car Campaign). A homicide occurred at 1401 Moreland Avenue (BP station) – a targeted incident stemming from a robbery; the Homicide Unit is actively investigating.
Shad R (Council Member Jason Winston’s Office, District 1): FIFA World Cup preparations are underway. A full City Council briefing on public safety, traffic, and community impact is expected at the April 20th council meeting. City Council is on legislative recess until April 17; no legislation or committee meetings until then. Beltline Segments 4 & 5 ribbon cutting: April 16 at 3:30pm at 905 Glenwood Avenue. The section runs from Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue. Mayor, Councilmember Winston, and elected officials expected. All neighbors are welcome. District 1 newsletter: ATLDistrict1.com.
Kysha Ferguson (Fulton County Commission, District 4 – Director of Constituent Services & Strategic Partnerships): Commissioner Mo Ivory vacated the District 4 seat per Fulton County ordinance upon qualifying to run for County Chair. District 4 is now under Chairman Pitts’ purview in the interim. Kysha Ferguson remains the primary constituent services contact for District 4. Contact: kysha.ferguson@fultoncountyga.gov | 404.612.8259. Qualifying for the vacant District 4 seat begins April 29 (two-week window); the special election will be held on November 3rd (standard Election Day). Fulton County Chair primary: May 19 (both parties selecting their candidate; general election in November). Two Georgia Supreme Court seats also on the May 19 ballot. Voting locations have shifted away from schools for safety reasons. Residents are urged to verify their polling location before Election Day.
Jennifer Freeman (Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ Office, Congressional District 5): Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the district; the deadline was extended to April 17. Approximately 10 pieces received; more submissions are welcome. Link and flyer shared in the chat. The office is available to assist with all federal agency inquiries: VA services, IRS, Social Security, passports, visas, and more. Brent Huff noted that sample ballots are now available (as of Friday, April 4). Residents are encouraged to review early given the ballot’s length. Link: mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Leadership / Committee Updates
Education (Kristen Silton): APS is conducting a budget prioritization survey open to all community members (not just parents or students). Link shared in the chat. Georgia Milestones testing – April 27 – May 13. Last day of school – May 22. Next APS School Board meeting – May 4. ANCS Run with the Wolves 5K fundraiser – Saturday, May 2; registration open (link in chat). The ANCS Executive Director holds office hours Wednesdays 8:00am-10:00am at Grant Park Coffee House. Genesis Innovation Academy (Woodland Avenue at Custer Avenue) campus tour April 22. Upcoming school events: Benteen Elementary: Principal’s chat, April 15 at 8:00am. King Middle School: Dance showcase (April 15); PTSA meeting & elections (April 21); Spring Arts Showcase (April 23). Maynard Jackson High School – Spring Band/Orchestra concert (April 15); Mayor Jackson Prom (April 18); PTSA (April 22 at 6:00pm); Commencement, May 22. Parkside Elementary – GoTeam meeting (April 15); Garden workday (April 19, 9:00am-11:00am, community welcome); Night of the Arts (April 22); PTA elections & principal chat (April 24, 7:45am); Family Dance (May 1). Suggestion raised by Paul Bolster to share monthly education updates on the SAND website and/or in The Porch Press. Kristen will coordinate with Brent and the web team as website development continues.
Ormewood Park Makers Fest 2026: October 10 (Nichole Palmietto & Noah Trepper, Co-Directors) – Planning committee officially launched. Nichole and Noah returning as co-directors. Volunteers needed: graphic designer, social media lead, and Dog Zone coordinator (a dog park within the festival grounds). Social media/graphic design roles may be offered as student internships. To join the committee, contact: opmakersfestival@sandatlanta.org.
Neighborhood Town Hall – April 28 (Nichole Palmietto): SAND is hosting an in-person town hall at the Hallidom Eatery featuring Council Member Jason Winston and State Rep. Kim Schofield. Schedule: 5:45pm – community mixer (SAND sponsoring gift card/coupon for the first 50 attendees); 6:45pm – presentations and Q&A from elected officials; the goal is to wrap by 8:00pm. Open to all community members; bring neighbors, spouses, and children. Event details – sandatlanta.org/events/2026/4/28/neighborhood-town-hall.
Transportation (Brent Huff): SMAWG activity paused until June while GDOT focuses on completing FIFA World Cup infrastructure commitments. Work on the Entrenchment Creek Bridge grant continues in the interim. Boulevard Complete Streets project ongoing. Sidewalk work and the Beltline crossing at Boulevard are currently underway; reduced to one lane each direction; motorists advised to avoid if possible. Beltline Segments 4 & 5 ribbon cutting – April 16 at 3:30pm, 905 Glenwood Avenue. The section from Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue reopens after ~2 years of construction. All are welcome.
Technology & Website (Migal Manickaraj): SAND is transitioning to a new email provider; regular communications will resume shortly. Ongoing website improvements include easier Zoom meeting registration. Exploring addition of school/education content per Paul Bolster’s suggestion. Questions or suggestions: webchair@sandatlanta.org.
Matters for Voting
V-26-43 – 668 McDonough Boulevard – New Apartment Complex (Parking Variance): Applicant seeks to reduce required parking from 31 spaces to 4 spaces. Applicant was absent from both the NPU-W LUZ Committee meeting and tonight’s meeting. Material deficiencies identified: inconsistent unit/parking counts across the application (24 vs. 31 spaces referenced in different sections). LUZ Committee recommendation: Defer or Deny. SAND voted to recommend Defer/Deny – approved without objection.
Text Amendment – Self-Storage Prohibition within the Beltline Overlay District (Citywide): Proposed amendment would prohibit self-storage facilities throughout the Beltline Overlay District (currently only prohibited within 500 feet of the Beltline itself). Issues raised at LUZ Committee: ambiguous language regarding mixed-use facilities (e.g., storage floors above parking garages); no grandfathering provisions for existing facilities within the overlay. Nina Gentry clarified: existing facilities within the overlay would become legal non-conforming uses if the ordinance passes. Member discussion raised questions about the equity and logic of the boundary, e.g., whether self-storage is acceptable within 500 feet of the Beltline but not further into the overlay. The SAND President will forward member comments to the NPU-W Chair for inclusion with LUZ Committee’s submission to City Council. No formal vote taken; matter pending further city review.
Alcohol License – 4 West ATL, 381 Moreland Avenue: Applicants – Troy Berry (owner/proposed agent) and Elizabeth Mahoney (Sard & Leff LLC). Southern-fried cuisine restaurant; LGBTQ-inclusive safe space. Previously applied in 2024; application timed out due to contractor issues (60% complete at expiration). Certificate of occupancy and food service permit are now in place. Neighbor concern raised regarding patron parking on Florida Ave (mailbox/garbage can incidents). Troy committed to enhanced exterior security and active patron reminders. Residents with concerns regarding parking may submit an assessment request through ATLDOT at atldot.atlantaga.gov. NPU-W Neighborhood Safety Committee recommended approval. SAND voted to recommend approval – approved without objection. Next step: NPU-W General Body Meeting, April 15 at 7:00pm (virtual). Action: The President will follow up with 4 West ATL for contact information to include in published meeting notes.
Alcohol License – Texaco Food Mart, 808 McDonough Boulevard: Convenience store within Texaco station complex; located near the Benteen Park/Custer McDonough Guice neighborhood boundary. Applicant not present. Standard application; no special variances requested. NPU-W Neighborhood Safety Committee recommended approval. SAND voted to recommend approval – approved without objection. Next step: NPU-W General Body Meeting, April 15 at 7:00pm (virtual).
Neighborhood Announcements
Voting reminder: Residents are encouraged to verify voter registration and confirm polling locations at mvp.sos.ga.gov (link in the chat). Voting locations have shifted away from schools. Residents who have recently moved should update their registration promptly.
Paul Bolster shared “ElectionATL26,” his YouTube channel featuring candidate interviews for the upcoming primary (Fulton County Chair race, House District race in Grant Park, Georgia Attorney General race) produced with neighbor Wes Wingo. Paul has not endorsed any candidates he has interviewed.
SAND reminder: SAND does not endorse candidates and does not permit campaign activity at official SAND events.
SE Beltline Connector Trail update (raised via chat by first-time attendee Christopher Doherty, HOA Board President, The Swift Townhomes): Phase 1 of the SE Beltline Connector (ATLDOT Project #4042) from United Avenue through the Garrison townhomes to The Swift is nearing completion (expected end of May). The trail has existed at The Swift since 2018 but the next segment remains unfunded and undesigned. Brent recommended connecting with Walter Brown (co-designer of Glenwood Park with Greenstreet Properties) for guidance on next steps. More info: atldot.atlantaga.gov/projects/path-se-beltline-connector.
Upcoming Dates
April 15, 7:00pm – NPU-W General Body Meeting (virtual)
April 16, 3:30pm – Beltline Segments 4 & 5 Ribbon Cutting, 905 Glenwood Avenue
April 28, 5:45pm – SAND Neighborhood Town Hall, Halidom Eatery (in person; open to all)
May 14, 7:30pm – Next SAND Meeting at (virtual)
NPU-W LUZ, 7:00pm – 1st Tuesday at (virtual)
NPU-W, 7:00pm – 3rd Wednesday at (virtual)
Conclusions and Closing Remarks: A motion to adjourn was approved without objection.
