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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
Currently, the plan is to relocate the Chick-fil-A from one location to another to alleviate the traffic from spilling out onto South Cobb Drive. And this is speculation that the uh new location that the traffic will not spill out onto South Cobb Drive. It is just merely speculation. And so if speculation is an acceptable basis for making a decision that will permanently alter our neighborhood, then I ask this, who is better to make those speculations than the residents who actually live here and understand the realities of the area? the information about the area that is not included in any of the information provided by the developers and presented to planning, to council or to the mayor that uh about uh that is that Oakdale Road is a very small one lane in each direction completely residential street that intersects with South Cobb Drive at a very dangerous and complex five-point intersection. so dangerous and complex that it is a no right turn on red area. Many residents call this area uh Smyrna's very own Spaghetti Junction. The information is seemingly conveniently left out of all visual and written considerations for approval or disapproval of this plan. leading me to believe that this council and mayor just simply do not have enough information about the adjacent streets, neighborhoods, and intersections and traffic patterns to make an informed decision that has very heavy consequences and outcomes for the residents of this area. We could speculate whether this plan will solve the traffic issues or create far worse ones. No one can say for sure, but what is certain is that it will it it will be the residents who permanently bear the consequences of the decisions made here today, right now. high-tra double drive-thru restaurants will introduce impacts that completely residential street infrastructures simply cannot support. And once those impacts once those impacts exist, they cannot be undone.
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Meeting minutes · summary
Committee of the Whole Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL, HR TRAINING ROOM
Summary in the published minutes, not a verbatim quotation.
3. Staff M&C Agenda Items to Review Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained that Item A. Z25-014 is going to be withdrawn. ORD21025-012: This is a code amendment to add a distillery license to Smyrna’s alcoholic beverage ordinance. This would allow for a distillery wherever there is a brewery. LIC2025-049: This is for an existing restaurant, Siracusa’s NY Pizzeria, that has beer and wine and are adding liquor. LIC2025-051: This is for Taste of China adding beer and wine pouring. LIC2025-053: This is for StillFire Brewing to add manufacturing for a brewery, winery, and distillery. Keith Zgonc, Police Chief, spoke about the following: ATH2025-196: There are currently two separate contracts with Axon, one part for body cameras and in-car cameras and associated software, another part for body cameras and in-car cameras. This allows the city to consolidate existing contracts and receive a discount for the next five years. Carol Sicard, Human Resources Director, spoke about the following: ATH2025-113: The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ending September 30 are in, and the ECI, which has been used for the past five years was 3.6, and the City budgeted 3% for COLA. Merit increases based on performance as of June 30 of this year are set at an increase of between 2.5-2.5% depending on rating. ATH2025-208: This is a renewal with GIRMA for Georgia Firefighters’ Cancer Benefit Program.
So as part of their um vote, the board that represents the town homes voted no on our development, but we didn't get a chance to actually speak to the residents and um candidly not not sure, but but the board is not in agreement. The board of the Highlands View Town Homes is not in agreement. Okay. And it it is worth pointing out that this traffic signal will directly benefit that property. to know that I understand about the traffic signal for that purpose of the town homes, but you're adding in that area is already zoned and somebody who knows a lot better, somebody like a Corki or whatever with all the industrial or whatever, it's already zone for office industrial. You've said that the office um partners around there are are okay with it, but they leave at like 5 o'lock. They leave. their their business is done. And so we have to be very careful, at least in my thought process, especially seeing about what we've already heard from some people who have who are living in an area that is heavily industrial around that area and and have issues with the noise and everything else um there. So, it's kind of concerning that people who live around it and the town homes who are there are not in agreement with this coming there. And then to clarify. And one other thing just because this is the part that I I your developments are fantastic. Um the the developments are fantastic. It would be great to see this development maybe in an in a different area. Um I understand what you're trying to accomplish, but if we approve it and and and this is where you you help me. I don't know. If we approve it, it becomes an island in a sense because the rest of the area is still zone and oi.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
That same report also states that in the past three years, more apartments have been built in Cobb County than single family residences. Cobb County is one of the fastest growing counties by percentage. And the Atlanta Regional Commission or ARC states that Cobb's population will hit 1 million by 2050. The Cobb County School Board adjusted that projection down by 86,000. Yet their own report states that the ARC is a very reliable agency and that this adjusted projection serves as an indicator that Cobb's population will quote continue to grow. I reached out to the principal of Nicac for her thoughts. I've not heard back from her yet. However, in fairness to her, I called her earlier today and she's not had much time to return my call. A new bus stop would likely need to be added, but the question is where? I've seen a handful of bus stops in front of apartment complexes on major roads like South Cobb Drive. Adding a bus stop onto Highlands Parkway would surely present a safety concern, especially with the amount of freight traffic that that road currently receives and the amount of stoppage time and rush hour. Regarding safety, one of the development's entrances is across the street from a pizzeria and a cigar bar, both of which close at 2 am, seven days a week. Pedestrians will cross Highlands Parkway at 2 am. The developer has proposed paying for a traffic signal at Lake Ridge Drive. It is highly unlikely that a patron leaving an establishment at 2 am will walk 2,000 ft west to Lake Ridge Drive or 1,000 ft east to the Oakdale Drive crossing just to reach the crosswalk. They'll simply walk the 80 ft across Highlands Parkway at 2 a.m. The developer acknowledged that the speed on Highland Parkway is excessive and the speed on the road at 2 a.m. and pedestrians simply don't mix.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
Um, and and we will not get a permit without all of those entities approving of the plans. But I can tell you that to my knowledge, this site does meet the minimum DOT standards um for intersection spacing. Um the standard requirements are based on a couple of standards and one of which is the type of roadway and then the other is the speed limit. So based on those items um our initial research has indicated that what you see on the plan does meet the minimum requirements. Okay. I know Miss Hines had a question. Mr. Welch has a question. Mr. Oglesby has a question. But Miss Hines is first. Okay, I have several questions and it may be that Rusty might need to and and I want to make sure we come back. I want to get this traffic thing figured out first. This is about the traffic. So, that's might might be able to come back up. Um I understand that the traffic study is is not um it's not cheap. Mhm. Um but we leave and go home and we're not being impacted by this development that's coming up and um being a good neighbor for the people that you're proposing to have your development in. Um it would be nice if maybe that could be a consideration. But I want to go back to Rusty because I have a a couple quick questions. Um because I want some clarification for myself. I'm trying to look on Google maps so I can understand a little bit better because it feels like there's several jurisdictions that are going on here definitely Cobb and then we have uh we have uh the state with DOT Misty Lane is that within the city of Smyrna? No, that's unincorporated Cobb. Okay. All right. So pretty much the area between the convenience store and country and suites and Oakdale estates that's unincorporated Cobb County.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
um athlet athletics. We hope that they're they do as good as the spring did. We had a lot of great spring sports. Um I want to I want to shift gears. I want to make a comment about the flock if that's okay. I'm really really torn on flock. I'm obviously I'm I'm a big proponent proponent of privacy and protecting privacy and I really think everyone up here believes that too. But FA does do good things and I'm going to share a personal story that I haven't shared. I'm willing to share it now because we've gotten some progress in my situation and it was because of flock. So December 23rd I was coming home, got out of my car and I was robbed, assaulted and left for dead. I've had five surgeries reconstruction on my ear and it was flock flock cameras that helped us identify those asylons which was at least three and that happened this past month in July and it was the flock cameras that confirmed it. So, I'm torrent. I think if we use it the right way, which is what we do as a city, we'll be fine. If we do it the wrong way, then trust me, this council, we're going to make sure those who violate your privacy, they're going to be held accountable. I'm sure of that. And with that, I yield back. Mr. My my goal is to put the safeguards in place and we already have that prevent those types of actions, those types of things. So, more more on that to come. Um, we're getting more and more information every day and putting more and more safeguards in every day. Um, I I truly believe we have made our community safer and that your your personal story is compelling and uh there's a lot of stories like that from our law enforcement professionals. Mr. Jones, Mr. Cochran, Miss Heather, anything? Where's our early voting going to be in November? I thank that I thank that congregation for allowing us to do that again. Miss Jill. All right. If there's nothing else to be brought before this body, we will say good night and adjourn from the Jonal City at 7:27.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
Um I wish the public could see the presentations that we have all seen. It's impressive and it absolutely is a force multiple other cities around metro Atlanta that have this capability. Dunwy has I think 80 cameras, Brook Haven. Um it's it's just going to be a great thing for our city uh keeping us safer. Um is there any discussion or commentary from council? No, I just want to say I'm very happy about this. Oh, Miss Hines, say that again. I just want to say I'm very happy about this as a person who's been a prosecutor for something years. So with that make a motion to approve. Well, did you have something you wanted to say first, Mr. Gar? She's kind of stole your thunder. No, I mean just in support of what Miss Hines said, right? You said Mr. just helps us use our public safety personnel smarter, more effectively protect our residents, and uh keep keep our uh keep our community safe. All right, we got a motion on the floor from Miss Hines uh to approve. Do we have a second? Second by Mr. Lindley. Everyone, please vote. I think he was about to make a motion and then Miss Hines got in there before he did. That's That's pass 6. So glad. All right, we're now on to the consent agenda. Jones, please read the consent agenda for council approval. You want to you want to take a breath before you get started here? This is the first time I've seen a a consent agenda that has double letters at the end. So, y'all kick back and relax a minute while Mr. Jones does his thing here. If this was a football, this is where we would do the halftime show. Uh, so there are 28 items on the longest consent agenda I've ever seen. Uh, the first three items of these are council meeting notes.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
So, um, this will only exacerbate, particularly because it's so close to east west, how those cars are going to get out in this little half block, not even a half a block area onto Cooper Lake in order to get on East Lake, East West is not is not practical in our minds because it truly is only a distance as from here to your police guy out front. It's very short. So that means that there's going to have to be some way for those cars to come and turn left to get on east west. So that's one big issue is traffic in general and that particular issue is is going to make it difficult. Um there are um concerns about the daycare center being so this being so close to the daycare center with the traffic and so on. Uh there are concerns about the fire fire department having uh the ability to get out easily. It's already difficult enough for them. I've been here for 22 years in this same home and have seen of course Smyrna's growing. We love that. Uh and particularly in that area. So um there's you know the fire department's right there and some and when they have to get out to east west it's it's difficult. And and finally, um there are at least 750 homes within a quarter mile of this intersection where this development will be. At least 750. Almost all are against this development. No, they're not here unfortunately. But um it may seems like seem like a small development because it's only 13 town homes, but it will have a very large impact we we believe on the um quality of our life and living in in this area of Smyrna that we moved to. Our safety as far as traffic, the accidents, I have pictures of the accidents at north at Cooper Lake and East West.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
Um we just had a trafficcoming meeting earlier tonight which is a uh important committee for the city and as of course was one of the main topics of discussion at our recent ward meeting and you know our our we passed a vision and mission statement which essentially says you know we want to as part of the mayor and council's uh goal is to ensure we have safe uh safe streets, safe sidewalks and uh and uh keep our ne neighborhoods very livable. So that essentially is really the high level mission of the of the traffic company committee and and uh pleased to be a part of it and I think staff is doing fantastic work uh moving forward with these projects. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Jeffrey, thanks for filling in for Mr. Cochran tonight. Anything you have? No report, Mr. Mayor. Miss Heather, I have Mr. Oglesby's board report. He would like to mention the town hall meeting he is hosting tomorrow evening which is the 13th at the public safety training center and it begins at 7 pm. He also would like to invite the community to his new restaurant, The Indigo Room, to listen to local jazz vocalist Mary Katherine on Wednesday during the Wednesday. And live music will start at 700 p.m. And he wants also to mention that they are now open for lunch starting at 11:30 and Sunday breakfast and brunch starting at 9:00 a.m. Very good. Um if there is no other business to be brought before this body, we are adjourned from the Jonquil city at 7:32.
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Meeting minutes · summary
Committee of the Whole Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL, HR TRAINING ROOM
Summary in the published minutes, not a verbatim quotation.
We have determined the most cost-effective solution is to treat the surfaces with a tinted coating, though this product has a higher unit cost because coverage is not as broad per gallon as the clear coat. The net increase in unit cost is $0.59/gallon. He stated that because of the cold weather, asphalt plants are not open. Realistically, this project will be substantially complete (finish work still being completed but open to traffic) by summer. CHOR2025-002: Mr. Randall also explained that after the pedestrian speed table was installed on the eastbound lanes at the westerly bridge of the Windy Hill Road project and the lane reopened to traffic, there was an apparent and obvious concern that the approach to the speed table was too steep and created a hazardous condition for drivers. City staff reviewed the conditions and design drawings and found that while both are consistent and within guidelines provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation, drivers have become accustomed to traveling faster than the design speed. This has created a potential safety hazard and liability. Working with the contractor we have developed a proposed solution to lengthen the approach ramp from 6’ to 10’, reducing the slope by 4% from 8.33% to 5.00%. Further, to reduce the time for which the lane will be closed to through traffic, the contractor proposes temporarily opening the right-hand eastbound through lane and closing the eastbound local lane from Friday, January 17, 2025 at 8 pm and reopening the local lane by 5 am on Monday, January 20, 2025. Council expressed skepticism that this needed to be done because the construction is not complete, and drivers are not adhering to the reduced speed limit and damaging their vehicles. Mr. Randall explained that if there is an unsafe condition in the roadway, the city could be held liable. Asst. City Attorney Jeffrey Tucker stated that the ambiguity of the Milton case makes this issue a little more complicated. The ideas of more signage, rumble strips, and Georgia State Patrol were mentioned. It was suggested that this be tabled indefinitely. AGR2025-001: Mr. Randall explained that with AGR2023-015, the City entered into a Framework Agreement with Cobb County DOT to administer the plan development process for the South Cobb Improvement project until such time as Smyrna attains its Locally Administered Project certification. The City has now attained that certification, and will start administering the project directly with the commencement of the Preliminary Design Phase of the GDOT Plan Development Process. This agreement is to complete the tasks that have not been started under the Cobb County DOT oversight phase. The funds are part of the 2022 SPLOST project list.
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Mayor and Council Meeting
Speaker not identified in source
The previous maintenance prevented invasive growth, protected neighboring properties, and helped ensure that the drainage system functioned as intended. I believe this is a reasonable request and one that reflects responsible stewardship of public property. I would appreciate the council reviewing this decision and directing the appropriate department to restore routine maintenance of this drainage gully before the problem becomes worse. Thank you for your time, your service to our community, and your consideration on this matter. Thank you for being here. I'm familiar with where you are. Um, Mr. Jones, can you please get in touch with Mr. Young and see if there's a solution that we can work with him on? Uh, I don't know the particulars of that situation, but I'll we'll figure it out. And, uh, I appreciate you being here. Sorry you had to come on an evening away from your family to to be here, but we we'll we'll figure it out. Um, on the on the flot cameras, I want everybody This was a very deep consideration for the city council, right? This was something that we did to keep our residents safe. If you're not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to worry about. And I've seen the same stories that others have seen where even in Georgia there was a uh law enforcement couple of couple of bad apples law enforcement folks who were using that uh system for for the wrong purposes. We have internal controls in our city where we prevent that from happening. We have our chief's full endorsement of this system. Uh the term that he uses is force multiplier. right, keeping our citizens safer. Um, I'm not a law enforcement professional, but I can lean on their expertise to help make our community safer. So, we made a significant investment. We're not the first ones done what he did this and done what he's been through so we don't have to we're not creating a wheel, right?
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Mayor and Council Meeting (Millage Rate Public Hearing #3)
Speaker not identified in source
So that's the location of the town home building. um twocar garages on each unit with two parking spaces in front of the garages and seven guest parking spaces. The access drive will be on Argo as south of the property as they can make it away from the intersection. The storm water detention area has been moved further away from Woodenbrook and there's sanitary sewer line. um mail kiosk and the open space has been moved to the northwest part of the site or southwest. There will be installing a 5ft sidewalk and two foot grass strip on Camp Highland and Argo. They're proposing well they're committed to uh [snorts] putting in a raised crosswalk and flashing beacon to cross over Camp Highland and to act as a traffic calming measure. Um so the two um variances are the front setback along Camp Highland from 25 ft to 10 ft and the front setback reduction on Argo from 25 ft to 20 ft. between um the meeting on the 13th with the planning and zoning commission and uh they have revised the renderings to have three stories facing Camp Highland and four levels on the back of the property where the garages will be accessed. The top portion of the rear will be um deck area so it's not heated floor area. These were the original elevations. Um, the community had a lot of opinions about the appearance, so they tried to make them more traditional looking. They did do a traffic study. Um the traffic study estimated that they would have 3 am peak hour trips and 3 pm peak hour trips with 42 2-way 24-hour trips. Um along with the level of service analysis, uh this development is not proposed to make any um change to the level of service for the intersections that were studied. These are examples of the finishes they're proposing um the subject property and some adjacent properties.
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