Meeting discussionsStart with a topic.

Now, to our very important item of business, we need to introduce formerly our honorary mayor of the day. This is Elelliana Marie Fance. She's five years old and is preparing to start kindergarten at St. Ben St. Ben St. Benedict's Episcopal School. In addition to participating at tonight's council meeting, she has had a big day. We met at city hall with she and her parents, Mike and Ally, and their sister, Belle, who are right over here. Belle is is uh taking residence on this first pew right here. Uh we had a good meet. We had a tour of city hall. Uh we went and had lunch. Talked about all things Smyrna and got some good spaghetti, didn't we? And we they toured uh they got a police escort over to the uh police station and toured that and the fire department and you got to go up on the fire engine today and now has is helping me run the meeting. So, we're very thrilled to have you here. What I found out at lunch was she's very sweet and polite and was one of the best colorers I've ever seen. All in the lines. Mayor, if you don't mind, I like to keep discourse between PD and the fire department. Yes. Would you ask her which one she most? Yeah. Which if you if you if you had to say which one did you like more, the the police station or the fire? Um, both. This is the honorary mayor for the day and maybe a future mayor. You never know. That was a great answer. All right. So, what we're going to do now is come down and get a photo. Okay. Come on down with me. Where do you want us? Right here. Is this a good spot? Come on over. Come up. Come get. You don't want to be in it?

Oh man. Thank you. And you got to come back up with me and help me. I told everybody my daughter is almost 11, but this is her about six years ago. You know, it's it's pretty crazy how fast it goes. So, next and and we've had the pleasure of having several uh groups here who have excelled in both academics and athletics. And tonight is tonight is just another one. Uh but we are so proud of the Whitfield Academy boys soccer team who were the state champions [applause] [applause] and they've been they've been good each of the last four years. I think they finished number three, number four, number two last year and then number one this year. Is that right? So, all all the way been awesome. And coach, if you wanna um if you want to come up and I'll I'll have you introduce your your players. But this is just a little bit about this team. They were the GS GHSA class AAA private state champions. Man of the match was Jack Rymer. Where's Jack? There we go. Awesome. [applause] The region 5A champions ranked number one for class A, ranked number four in the state of Georgia, all classification. Ranked number 12 in the nation for spring soccer. I can't imagine how many teams are out there. We got the number 12 team right here in Smyrna. Their season record was 21-1. They went through region not losing a match. 66 wins uh no losses. They scored 88 goals and only gave up 11. Um pretty awesome. So here's uh your first team 5A all region players. Ruben Clarson, player of the year. Where's Ruben? [applause] Bo Bradford. Bo here. No, Bo's not here. Okay. Well, we'll do a special recognition for Bo at another meeting. Camilo Hana, is that right? [applause] All right. Roman Lindsay. [applause] Titus Mesner. Titus. [applause] All right.

Cole Rabble. [applause] No. And Parker Shim. [applause] Ruben Clarson was also first team all Cobb County along with Cole Roblet and Parker Shim. And then Ruben, Jack Rymer, and Roman Lindsay were first team all state. They had four final four appearances, two state final appearances, one state championship, and I already mentioned their rankings over the last couple years. So, Coach Peterson, Coach Whitaker, y'all want to come up and say a little bit about this team and and kind of the road to it and what y'all have accomplished? We are so so excited you brought a state championship. [applause] Just speak right into the just speak right in the microphone. That way the thousands of people watching at home will be able to hear you too. Yeah, of course. Well, thank you for having us here. Really appreciate it. Just wanted to introduce the guys that are here today. Ethan Whitaker, defender. Mikey Callaway, defender. Parker Shim, striker, Jack Rymer, winger. Cash Peterson, also my younger brother, midfielder. Jack Holton, defender. Jackson Mahaltra, defender. Lewis Register, defender. Ruben Clarkson, goalkeeper, going to play at Cornell in the fall. Roman Lindsay, midfielder, defender, attacker, played all over the place. Michael Johnson, midfielder. Camilo Hanal, defender. Liam O'halerin, midfielder, and Ryan Holton, defender. So, thank you for having us. These guys had a great season. Um, Coach Helier, our head coach, is not here today, but just a few words about the team. They played with a lot of heart, a lot of passion. I thought they represented the Whitfield community really well. It was an honor to coach them, and I thought they represented the greater community of Smyrna and Cop County really well. So really proud to coach you guys this year. If you had anything to say as well. Um again equally as proud of these boys. Proud of the support we got from Smyrna as well.

I'll say um the inspiration belief comes before ability. Uh these boys did not have the ability to win state when I started working with them four years ago. We we over time we built the uh the ability but they never lost belief. uh they kept the belief and um by the time we played Atlanta International School this senior year this year we were the better team, weren't we boys? Yeah. And then that was tantamount to us beating the uh the Soviet Union on in Lake Placid on 1980 is after after that we weren't we weren't going to lose the final match. So um now these these boys are awesome. They have great parents, great schooling uh and we're all very blessed. So thank you. Uh Mayor come down and get a photo. [snorts] our our honorary mayor of the day would like to say something to you boys. Congratulations. [applause] We'll get we'll get right here kind of and we would like to present to you something very very special to us county. I I think it should go right above that's right there. I thought you were giving me that. Oh, you get to keep that. This should go right there. That goes right there. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yo, y'all come here. Let's get Let's get a picture. We'll do We'll do like that. Yeah, y'all. All right. Does this look okay? Carson, what do we need to do? Tell them you direct traffic here. If you can see the camera, it can see you. Awesome, guys. Congratulations. [applause] Let's do that again. feel better. Thank you. Awesome. Congratulations, Cornell. This is the part where y'all came to be recognized and and we're very proud of you. And if you're looking to catch up on your sleep, you can pay for the rest of the meeting, but you don't have to. So, we're This is This is your chance. Take it. Go. Great job, guys. Congratulations. [applause] Next is item seven. Item seven is community development items and we have a public hearing. This is zoning request Z26-00004.

Allow reszoning from GC to TD conditional for the development of six single family attached dwelling units at a density of 5.71 units per acre 1.05 acres land lot 606 4691 Camp Highland Road. Melissa Mario and Joey you going to handle the presentation for us? Yes sir. This is reszoning case C26-00004. Um, prior to the May 11th planning and zoning commission meeting, the applicant met with the community. Um, the recommendation from the planning board on the May meeting was to deny five to zero. The applicant had another meeting with the community between that and the next hearing which was July 13th and the planning and board recon commission recommended approval 3 to one. This shows the location of the property. It's at the intersection of Camp Island and Argo Road, specifically 4691 Camp Island Road. It's 1.05 acres. um is currently vacant and they're proposing six town home units. The existing zoning is general commercial. Uh most this area used to be zone general commercial and some of it's been reszoned for residential. The future land use is medium density residential which is up to six units per acre. So it is under that uh six units per acre cap. This is the original site plan that uh the first planning and zoning commission saw. It had the open space dog park area at the intersection. It had the detention area adjacent to Woodland Brook. um they heard a lot of comments about relocating the detention pond and the proposed um open space and that is shown on the next uh revision. So uh originally they did need a a side setback reduction between this town home unit number one and Woodenbrook. So they have shifted it to meet that setback. They've pulled it up to Camp Highland uh 10 feet from the property line and the front setback on Argo is 20 ft. They meet the side setback um requirement of 25 ft and the rear set back of 30 feet.

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.

We're recommending approval from the reszoning to GC to TV conditional with the standard conditions and special conditions regarding the setbacks. They're responsible for fire, water, and sewer and storm water improvements. They will install the five- foot sidewalk and two foot grass strip along the road frontage. They will have a minimum of seven parking guest parking spaces. They'll have a maximum of six town homes with two car garages. Uh rightway dedication on Argo Road. They will provide the raised crosswalk with the flashing beacon along Camp Highland. and this condition to the submitted site plan elevations provided with the application. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Can you say any questions? Any questions of council? Yeah. Okay. Mr. Yeah, just a few. Uh thank you Joey for your uh presentation. Are are the developers here today? Yes, they are. Will they be able to answer some questions? Yes. Okay. Uh, I'll hold my questions for question. Mr. Gold, uh, Joey, we few years ago put a lot of work into town home standards. Yes. And it's a kind of more updated modern look, but does it meet all the town home standards? It does. So, architectural dimensions and all the things that require maintain high quality. Yes, they are compliant with that. Mr. Mr. Mayor, I do have one question for Joey. Currently, it's uh zone GC. Correct. Correct. Uh can you let our audience who may not be well verssed in that what GC means to us currently as a city? General commercial is the most um allows the most uses in our zoning ordinance. Um it is mostly audio auto oriented uses, retail, um landscape contractors. There's about a hundred over a hundred different uses that are allowed in GC. All right. Quick trip racetrack. Yep. Okay. What happens if uh say a cry trip wants to move into that space tomorrow?

I mean it would depend on their site plan. They may need variances, but it would be an allowable use under the zoning ordinance. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions of Joey? Okay. I'd like to invite the applicant up now. Hello. Hi. You need to swear her in. Okay. Hi. Good evening. You'll just state your name for the rest. Yes. My name is Melissa Marilla. Um, thank you everyone for your time here. Uh, the soccer team is a hard act to follow. [laughter] Um, as Joey explained to everyone, uh, since our project was submitted the first time, we've made several, uh, significant changes. And I won't go through everything in in detail. Joey's covered a lot of things. Um, here on our first slide, we basically show the first uh, site plan that was submitted and our final site plan. All of the changes that we made are represented by the um the green check marks here. This is the final site plan that shows the uh dog park that was moved to the uh western side of the um of the development and the detention pond moved to the lower southern side. Uh we led the corner of um Argo Road and Camp Highland um an empty space so that there's plenty of visibility there um since traffic was a big concern of everyone. This is uh our fire truck um turn exhibit just showing how the um the southern entrance on Argo Road allows for the fire truck to have um plenty of room to go in and turn around and come out. Um, following the discussions with the city staff and and also considering public input, we re we relocated the playground and the dog park, as I mentioned, to the um to the western side of the development and the detention pond to the southern side.

These changes create a safer amenity area and they improve storm water management and they better integrate uh the features into the development while maintaining the enhanced landscape buffers. [clears throat] As I mentioned, safety has been a big concern of everyone's. Uh with that in mind, we preserve the visibility triangle at the intersection of Camp Highland and Argo Road by limiting landscaping to low height plantings and maintaining un unobstructed sight lines. In addition, we are proposing with the city's recommendation a raised pedestrian crossing with the flash and beaking signage to improve pedestrian safety and increase driver awareness. Another change to the uh project was the enhancement of the landscape buffers. We increased the side buffer from 25 ft to from 20t to 25 ft and the rear buffer from 25 ft to 30 feet to provide greater privacy and visual visual visual separation for neighbor neighboring properties. We also eliminated the requested side uh setback variance on the western side. The landscape plan includes green giants along with the with complimentary landscaping and we'll continue to work closely with city staff during the final landscape review to ensure that the selected plants meet the city standards and provide an attractive long-term buffer. We also refined the architectural design throughout the process since the original design that was proposed uh met a little bit of push back. It was a little bit too modern. Uh brick was added to the facade. Uh the monument sign was relocated to improve visibility at the corner and the overall design was refined to better complement the surrounding neighborhood while maintaining the character of the project. Another big topic has been parking. Um, each town home provides four dedicated off- streetet parking spaces. Two inside the garage, two in the driveway, and then the development also provides seven visitor parking spaces, which gives a total of 31 spaces or just over five parking spaces per home.

While we understand that holidays or special gatherings can temporar temporarily increase parking demand, these situations occur in every residential neighborhood. We believe that the parking supply appropriately serves the day-to-day needs of this community. [clears throat] One concern raised during planning and zoning meeting was the was that the original rendering appeared to show the site as completely flat, making the buildings appear taller than they will actually be. We appreciated the feedback and prepared the updated renderings to more accurately reflect the site's natural topography. As shown here, the buildings are carefully integrated into the site through grading and retaining walls, allowing them to step into the into the terrain and reducing their apparent height. This rendering provides a much more realistic representation of how the completed project will appear. We also wanted to provide some context regarding building height. While these town homes contain four occupied levels, the flat roof design results in an overall building height that is comparable to and in many many cases lower than a traditional large single family home with a steep pitched roof. Looking only at the number of stories doesn't accurately represent the building's overall height or visual impact. As Joey mentioned, we also hired a traffic engineer to conduct conduct a traffic study to evaluate the project's impact using using nationally recognized IT standards. The study concluded that this six-unit development will generate minimal traffic and that all surrounding intersections will continue to operate at acceptable levels of service. At our request, the engineer also compared this project to a four home single family development. The analysis showed that the single family scenario would generate a essentially the same traffic and even slightly more daily trips, meaning the choice between town homes or detached homes would not materially change traffic conditions.

The recommendations uh from the traffic study was just to make sure that we have one entering lane and one exiting lane, the stop controlled um driveway approach on Argu Road and provide and confirm adequate sight distance. Again, this is an updated rendering that shows from the Camp Highland side. it will appear more as a three-story building. And from the rear view, you can see where we have retaining walls and the building is um cut more into the grading. And this is an aerial view where you can appreciate the buffers. Um thank you for everyone's time and we're available to answer any questions. Any questions of the applicant? Yes. Hey, Mr. Oglesby. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, thank you for coming today and presenting. Uh, there were some uh additional uh uh promises during the last zoning meeting that was brought to my attention. So, I just want to be sure that we we don't gloss over those. Want to be sure those were taken care of. Sure. Uh and documented. Uh because I don't know the details, uh I won't go too deep into it, but you mentioned changes to the garage or there was a request for that. Can you speak on that a little more clearly so we understand exactly what that change was and why? I'm not the engineer, but that involved um the grading where the garage is basically lowered down using grading so that the the building is not sitting on top of the property on top of the the existing soil and that rendition did show that. Correct. That's what we are trying to show. Yes. Right. Okay. On the elevation and that's why retaining walls would be used. So speaking of retaining walls, uh can you go a little more in depth on the retaining walls and how those retaining walls will be uh or if they will be naturally?

It looks like you got some support coming up. Yeah, I was going to say I can see my engineer coming over my shoulder and he is really He needs to be sworn into Thank you. Thank you for being here. Do you have any more questions for me or do you want me to just turn it over to him? Oh, sure. Who whomever? Okay. Yeah. Hey, thanks. And your name? Jamal Raglin. Jamal Raglin, you can't hear me. Wow. [laughter] Oh, the rain. Yeah, I'm sorry. I do apologize. So, my first question uh and I'll repeat that was in reference to elevation in the garage. And I think you you actually did answer that question, but did you have more input on that? That was a concern at the last zoning and commission meeting. Correct. Correct. Yeah, she answered on it. So, basically with the elevations on the first level, the main level, uh, you got two stories going up and then on the back side, the garage is one level down. So, on the rendering that we had best to shown, you're basically going down one floor to help with the retaining walls and everything like that to address that situation from last meeting. Okay. So speaking on retaining walls, that also was a topic of conversation. So uh first can you go a little more in depth on retaining wall and how that natural barrier will be set up with the retaining wall or if there will be one? So depending if we go with the garage being the lower level, then we'll probably need like a one maybe two foot retaining wall. If we were to be all four stories, then four feet would be the natural the regular height. But with the retaining walls, there are different retaining wall mechanism depending on appearance and everything like that.