2025-01-06 January 06, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - FINAL
Open official source ↗ · Source page 4
January 06, 2025 5:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Human Resources Training Room Page 4 of 6 Community Development has reviewed the proposed plan against the zoning requirements of the MU zoning district (Section 720 of the Zoning Ordinance) with regards to setbacks, building height and building separations. The zoning proposal meets most of the zoning requirements of the MU zoning district. Based upon the review of the development by the Transportation Engineer, the city supports the proposed traffic signal at Davis Road and Windy Hill Road. Davis Road will be widened to meet city standards and improved with curb, gutter and sidewalk. The developer will be responsible for all traffic improvements associated with the development. Mayor Norton added that the section designated as a civic building would be a great spot for a future civic project in conjunction with this development. He also stated that this does not commit the city to purchase the land without a vote. The civic building portion is merely conceptual at this point. The apartments would rent at market rates. Councilmember Wilkinson expressed concern about pedestrian traffic from the development to the shopping center across the way. Eric Randall, Public Works Director, explained that there is a safe and easily accessible crosswalk for pedestrian traffic. Discussion took place regarding which schools this development would be districted to and the parking ratio. Community Development was assured that the schools this development could possibly feed are underpopulated and can handle more students. The ratio for parking per unit is 1.5/unit. LIC2025-003: This item is to be tabled to the January 21, 2025, council meeting because the applicant is unable to attend the meeting tonight. Discussion took place regarding “gaming” as it is part of the name of their business. Mr. Martin stated Community Development would reach out to them to get a definition and find out if there is an age- restriction. ATH2025-001: Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director, explained that the City requested proposals for an update and expansion to the Smyrna B.O.L.D. Downtown Master Plan. Fifteen (15) proposals were received on Friday, July 12, 2024, and evaluated by staff from Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Public Works, Community Relations and selected Smyrna residents. The team selected five (5) firms for presentation/interviews and the final evaluation. The recommended firm is MKSK. This will be an education process when they will hear from the community, make tweaks, attend popups, attend roundtables and city events, etc. Ultimately, the deliverable is a conceptual plan to take to the community. This will be on a one-year timeline. 2025-009: Councilmember Hines asked that there be a process that is front-facing so that dedications can follow the same path forward. Joe Bennett, City Administrator, stated that before anything can come before the council, it should be brought to their ward member. Councilmember Hines explained that there needs to be a standard policy so council is able to articulate guidelines to constituents. Councilmember Lindley mentioned that federal guidelines require someone who has passed away to have been deceased for a minimum of 10 years. Richard Garland, Community Services Administrator, said that Carson Haynie is currently working on guidelines to be presented to council. ATH2025-013, ATH2025-011: Kristin Robinson, Deputy City Administrator/CFO, stated at a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, the Finance department and Administration spoke with Council about allowing for administrative approval for purchases up to the bid thresholds in place of the City’s purchasing policy. There has been some confusion if approval was given up to both limits currently in place. These limits are currently $50,000