Jeff Craig

The Town Council Workshop focused on setting the agenda for the subsequent March meeting. Key discussion items included the approval of terms for an agreement with Pyro Technico for the annual Independence Day celebration firework display. This contract covers a three-year term with options for extensions and detailed discussions on including low-level fireworks and music choreography, with an estimated base cost of $43,000 for the first year. Another major topic involved the approval of monitoring and management services for the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) program, noting positive improvements in wastewater plant performance due to third-party inspections. Finally, the council reviewed the low bid from Barton Lawn Care for mowing non-public parks properties, including new right-of-way sections on Jefferson Pike, with extensive debate regarding the low bid amounts for specific mowing areas.

The Smyrna Mobility Plan is designed to address the long-term transportation needs for all users within the Town of Smyrna. It focuses on identifying growth impacts, proposing road improvements for congestion and connectivity, and developing comfortable and connected infrastructure for walkways and bikeways. The plan also prioritizes improving safety for all roadway users and establishing long-term transportation priorities for implementation.

The meeting included the approval of the minutes from the July meeting. Old business involved discussion regarding the site plan for a proposed Marriott Hotel, specifically addressing deferred comments on elevation materials, event space, street tree requirements (not met due to a utility easement), and sidewalk extensions. The commission recommended approval for the site plan and the required height overlay to the Town Council. New business focused on two rezoning requests. The first rezoning request was withdrawn. The second request concerned a property for a Firestone Complete Auto Care repair facility, discussing building architecture, access from Asbury Home Way, and the placement of a roof over outdoor storage for tires. The third request involved rezoning property to PRD under the Lowry Street overlay for 42 townhouse units, discussing street naming, water service, density exceeding the recommended 12 units per acre, and a request to substitute a dog park for the required playground area.

The Town Council workshop was held to set the agenda for the subsequent November meeting. Key discussions included addressing a citizen complaint regarding alleged improper vehicle repair activities at a neighbor's property where no residents live, with assurances given that Code Enforcement would follow up and potentially increase enforcement if the violations recur. Additionally, an update was provided on the progress related to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement with Town Hillwood and CUD, noting engagement with the community and expected finalization of the utility agreement by the CUD board meeting on November 18th, which is a prerequisite for the November 13th town council hearing. The council also reviewed proposed consent agenda items, including the authorization for a one-year agreement extension with Thomas and Hutton for sewer flow monitoring and the execution of a contract with Thomas and Hutton for a sewer flow model. A presentation detailed current water and wastewater plant capacities, flow data analysis, projection scenarios based on residential growth, and the impact of inflow/infiltration (INI) from stormwater events.

The meeting convened with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a confirmation that there were no citizen comments. The board reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous month. Under new business, a public hearing was opened for El Po Mexican Restaurant regarding a transfer of ownership for a beer permit. The applicant provided details on the new ownership, confirming that some employees were retained, and specified standard procedures for ID verification by servers and bartenders. The operating hours were confirmed as seven days a week, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Following discussion, the on-premise permit application for El Pablo Mexican Restaurant was approved, with instructions to pick up the permit the following day. The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the next meeting for March 2nd and adjournment.