NPU-C Meeting

February 2, 2010

 

 

Meeting called to order by Chair Paul Melvin, who made the following announcements:

 

1.     Morris Brandon’s annual Fun Run is scheduled in the Castlewood neighborhood on April 17.  (Rain date:  April 24).  Paul introduced Cynthia Czabala, who offered to answer any questions.

2.     Applications for grants under the City’s Trees for Atlanta’s Sustainability tree planting grants program can be found on the following website:  http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/newarborist 012706.aspx.  Grant application workshop will be held February 6, 2010, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at City Hall.  All applications for grants must be submitted NLT 5:00 pm on February 22, 2010.

3.     Park Pride’s 9^th annual Parks and Greenspace Conference will be held on March 22, 2010 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Informational brochures available.

4.     At its January 14, 2010 meeting, the Zoning Review Board approved the Moores Mill rezoning that came before NPU-C at is December meeting.  The rezoning now goes forward to City Council.

 

Reports:

 

Pat Katz from the Parks Department announced that tours of Oakland Cemetery would be held in connection with Black History Month, on February 5, 13 and 24 at 1:00 pm.  The exhibit currently at Chastain Park will continue through February 27.  Vandalism at the Washington Park natatorium prevents the pool from reopening until extensive repairs are made. 

 

Chico Jones provided information on the pipe bursting project on Northside Drive between Peachtree Battle and Woodward Way.  AT&T had to relocate its lines that were located on top of the sewer line, delaying the start of the work.   The pipe bursting has now begun and will last for four weeks.   The last two weeks of the project will involve restoration of grass, sidewalks and curbs.

 

Captain Hall of Fire Station #26 on Moores Mill Road made a presentation.   He stated that (1) no outdoor burning is allowed in the City of Atlanta, (2) those living in condominium buildings consisting of concrete from top to bottom may use outdoor grills on their patios, (3) the City is enforcing the fire alarm ordinance, so contractors doing sanding or painting that may activate fire alarm systems should put them in bypass mode while work is being done to avoid violation of the ordinance, and (4) the Safe Spots (“Safe Place Off the Streets”) program was established to provide a safe haven at first stations in cases of child abandonment or domestic violence.  Capt. Hall’s phone number is 404-546-7160.

 

Andrew Walter from Department of Watershed Management is the local coordinator of the Adopt-A-Stream and Rivers Alive programs.  He advised that the City is conducting a chemical monitoring workshop on Saturday, March 6, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at First Iconium Baptist Church, 542 Moreland Avenue, S.E., for residents who would like to volunteer to monitor water quality in creeks in their neighborhoods.  He provided the Project Points sheet containing information about the pipe bursting project briefed by Chico Jones.  Mr. Walter was asked if he had any information in response to an inquiry that had been made regarding sewer work at Westover Plantation, and he said he did not. 

 

Kenneth Woodfin introduced himself as a City Public Information Officer who is involved in Department of Watershed Management outreach involving the ongoing sewer projects.  He said he could be reached at 404-849-1255 to answer any questions.

 

Shelly Peart of the Bureau of Planning reported on the City of Atlanta Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Short-Term Work Program (STWP).  State law requires the city to develop and adopt the CIP for the construction, maintenance and renovation of public facilities over the next 5 years and the STWP non-capital and capital projects over a 15-year period.  NPUs may submit projects for inclusion in each plan by April 30, 2010 at 5:00 pm.  Draft documents on these plans will be posted on the Bureau of Planning’s web site by June 1 and the first public hearing on them will be in Council Chambers on June 14 at 6:00 pm.

      

Atlanta Police Lieutenant Cotter reported that crime is down 15% in Zone 2 since January 1.  He said all categories of crime are down except auto thefts, which are up by 50%.  He said auto thefts were occurring at or near closing time for restaurants when valets are busy, giving organized groups of perpetrators the opportunity to grab keys and steal several cars at once.   He said the police are working closely with restaurants to watch for this activity and are setting up roadblocks to catch the perpetrators. Lt. Cotter gave his contact information:  cell phone 404-617-8030, e-mail mcotter@atlantaga.gov.  Later in the meeting, Lt. Cotter introduced Ernest Finley, Deputy Chief of Field Operations, who spoke briefly and offered his contact information:  404-538-4650, e-mail efinley@atlantaga.gov.

 

Marlena Middlebrooks, from Councilmember Lamar Willis’ office, was present and gave contact information for his office: 404-330-6041.

 

Christina Garcia, from Councilmember Michael Julian Bond’s office, announced that the City Council had authorized the development of a police zone redesign plan.  She also announced that City Council passed a paper authorizing a Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST) to seek a 1 cent sale tax to fund $750 million in needed capital infrastructure for which the city has no funds.  This is the first step in a process that will lead to a referendum on the sales tax.

 

Harold Harbert of the State Department of Natural Resources Environmental Outreach Unit gave a presentation on Georgia’s Adopt a Stream (AAS) water quality monitoring program and the Rivers Alive annual cleanup event.  Working with local governments, the state offers various workshops on topics including chemical monitoring, biological monitoring, bacteria monitoring and watershed monitoring.  He recognized Andrew Walter of the Department of Watershed Management as the City contact for these programs, and provided written information on the programs.

  

Minutes from the January 5, 2009 NPU meeting were approved.

 

V-09-215 — 344 Whitmore Drive.  Variance application to reduce east side yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet for an addition.  Approval recommended, 14-0.

 

V-10-006 –1370 Hanover West Drive.  Variance application to allow existing non-conforming structure to be elevated for flood purposes.  Elevated structure to remain in existing footprint.  Approval recommended, 15-0.

 

V-09-225 – 2482 Dellwood Drive.  Variance to reduce north side yard setback from 10 feet to 5.8 feet to allow for side entry porch enclosure and to allow for attic finish for third story.  Approval recommended, on condition that north facing windows on third story have translucent glass, 15-0.

           

V-09-228 – 2464 Hanover West Ct. (aka 4 Hanover West Ct.).  Variance application to allow existing non-conforming structure to be elevated for flood purposes.  Elevated structure to remain in existing footprint.  Approval recommended, 12-0.

 

V-09-210 – 814 Wellesley Drive.  Variance to reduce west side yard setback from 10 feet to 2.8  feet to add a detached garage to an existing single-family house.  Approval recommended, with following two conditions, 13-0.  Conditions:  (1) No runoff from this property to 822 Wellesley, underground piping to collect storm water from front and back of garage and divert to street, roof gutters to tie into storm water system; and (2) detached garage to be used as a garage only with storage above, with no human occupancy.

 

Meeting adjourned.