Welcome– 2 minutes.
Opening remarks: The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm. Additional opening comments were presented by the SAND President.
Approval of January Meeting Notes: The meeting notes were approved without objection.
City Department and Elected Official Updates
Atlanta Police Department – Lt. Andrew Smith:
- A 28.4% decrease in overall crime in Zone 6 was reported.
- Lt. Smith encouraged residents to participate in neighborhood watch training.
- How to best handle non-emergency 911 calls was discussed. Lt. Smith recommended using the 911 email to report concerns, or to email him directly at awsmith@atlantaga.gov.
Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department: No update was provided.
Council Member District 1 (Jason Winston) – Shad Embert:
- South Boulevard Complete Streets is underway.
- Southside BeltLine is almost complete.
- City of Atlanta released audit of last year’s finances, and no material items were identified..
- Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Commission will meet next on March 20.
- Solid Waste Services continue to be an area for improvement and attention.
Council Member District 5 (Liliana Bakhtiari): No update was provided.
Fulton County Commissioner District 4 – Keisha Ferguson: Homestead exemptions deadline is April 1; especially important for seniors over the age of 65. The various exemptions are cumulative (up to eight different exemptions can be used simultaneously) and can significantly reduce Fulton County property taxes.
U.S. Representative (Nikema Williams): No update was provided.
SAND Committee Updates
Education: Kristen Silton provided an update on proposed school realignments for the 2027-2028 School year and encouraged community engagement in the process.
Land Use and Zoning (Applications can be reviewed on the NPU-W website):
- Applications for Voting
- No SAND Land Use and Zoning items for voting
- Items for Review and Comment: RoW Abandonment / 50x50ft Portion of Portland Avenue / Ormewood Park. Applicant: Lindsey Castagnacci – Applicant seeks abandonment of the public right-of-way between 1038 Portland Avenue and 564 Warwick Street. This portion is unimproved and part of a “paper street.”
Makers Festival: The official date for the 2026 Makers Festival is October 10.
Social: Planning is underway for a “Town Hall” event at Halidom in April/May.
Transportation: Brent Huff provided updates on the following improvements occurring along Moreland Avenue – APD traffic enforcement, I-20/Moreland Avenue interchange improvements, sidewalk improvements along Moreland Avenue between I-20 and United Avenue, installation of improved pedestrian crossing points along Moreland Avenue, realignment of the Skyhaven and United Avenue intersection at Moreland Avenue, and progress on utilizing the HUD grant related to the Moreland Avenue/Intrenchment Creek bridge.
Update on Memorial Drive Greenway – Nathan Clubb: The Memorial Drive Greenway continues to move forward with a focus on developing a parcel that will contain a community skatepark. Meetings for community input are ongoing. The next meeting will occur at the Oakland Cemetery Community Center on March 17.
Matters for Voting: None.
Neighborhood Announcements
Reds Farm Preserve Community Survey: Rachel Ezzo (UFO, Inc.) – The Park Pride visioning process is underway. Community input continues to be encouraged.
Upcoming Community Meeting Reminders
- NPU-W General Body Meeting – February 18 at 7:00pm.
- SAND Community Meeting – March 12 at 7:30pm.
Closing Remarks
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:42pm.
