Debra L. Bell

The board addressed four variance requests. The request for a neighborhood transition buffer reduction at 1190 & 1194 Hope Road was denied. A variance to eliminate an upper floor setback at 135 & 145 Cliftwood Drive was approved without conditions. A request for a building setback encroachment at 1425 North Riverside Circle was approved subject to staff conditions, as was a roof encroachment variance at 5695 Cross Gate Drive. The board also held a discussion regarding a potential revision to the meeting schedule.

The City Council conducted a regular session meeting where several key items were addressed. The Council heard a public hearing and update regarding the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, and approved a River Corridor Review for a residential property. Additionally, the Council approved several alcoholic beverage license applications for local businesses. In new business, the Council approved a budget amendment and a contract for the modifications of the existing cistern at City Springs, authorized the inclusion of Big Trees Forest Preserve in the Old-Growth Forest Network, and approved a contract with Jericho Design Group for the design of a new public safety building. Furthermore, the Council authorized a design contract for the guardrail replacement program, provided additional funding for the Small Business Relief Assistance Program, approved a contract for the construction of Fire Station No. 2, and passed an ordinance prohibiting illegal street racing. The session also included financial reports for December 2020 and concluded with an executive session regarding real estate and litigation.

The City Council discussed a Housing Needs Assessment update, which highlighted market trends, demographic changes, and housing affordability challenges within the city. Key takeaways included a trend toward higher renter-occupied households, increasing home values, and a lack of naturally occurring affordable housing. Additionally, the Council reviewed an Economic Development Strategy aimed at shifting the city's approach toward more proactive support for small businesses, improving data collection, and leveraging local economic opportunities.

The council authorized an agreement with Mutation Brewing Company under the city's economic development policy and approved several alcoholic beverage license applications for local businesses. Key business items included an amendment to the fiscal year 2021 budget for updating the 2012 City Center Master Plan, an amendment to the Tyler Technologies permitting software contract, and the award of a consulting services contract to Gresham Smith for the Roswell Road Access Management Plan. Additionally, the council approved funding and contract negotiations for the Veterans Memorial Park project. The meeting concluded with a presentation on unaudited financial statements for March 2021 and an executive session held for real estate discussions.

The City Council conducted a regular session covering several agenda items, including the acceptance of property easements for various stormwater and infrastructure projects, the approval of an amended 2021 City Employee Holiday Calendar, and the consideration of a Thriving Earth Exchange Project. The Council held public hearings for the 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), an amendment to the 2020 CDBG Annual Action Plan, River Corridor Reviews for property improvements, and an alcoholic beverage license application. Additionally, the Council authorized a change order for the Peachtree Dunwoody at Telford Place Safety Improvement Project, declared city-owned property as surplus, and appointed members to the City of Sandy Springs Development Authority. The Mayor and staff provided reports regarding recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Zeta and the introduction of a new Finance Director.