NPU-F Report
February 15, 2021
Atlanta City Council: The will hold work sessions on the three following topics: Short-Term Rentals, Revisions to the Tree Ordinance, and Atlanta BeltLine challenges.
Atlanta Police Department (APD): Captain Theocy Williams has replaced Captain Singh as the assistant commander for APD Zone 2, which covers Lindridge-Martin Manor. Capt. Singh has been promoted to major and is in charge of the Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS).
APD Licensing and Permits Division (LP&D): The officers in charge of license and permit enforcement are putting together the second “due cause” case against Girls Galore, LLC, D/B/A Allure Gentleman’s Club at 2284 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE. The citation is based on the club being open on New Years Eve (Dec. 31, 2020 - Jan. 1, 2021 ) after being served with an order to close for seven days. L&PD also stated it is conducting an investigation of The Man Cave Lounge, 2139 Liddell Drive.
Policing Alternatives and Diversion (PAD) Initiative: Moki Mocias is executive director of the PAD Initiative in the City of Atlanta to intervene with people experiencing mental health challenges who may also be experiencing homelessness and who are not presenting a public safety issue for police or emergency officials. It was recently featured in the AJC. Once notified through a call to 311, a two-person team can be assigned to a case and arrive on the scene within 30 minutes to work with the individual experiencing a challenge. Transport, case management, and shelter may be offered. This initiative focuses on APD Zone 5 and 6 first, and then may move into the other parts of the city; a call to 311 will spark a response. (NOTE: Lindridge-Martin Manor is in APD Zone 2 - not currently in the PAD coverage area.)
Atlanta Fire Department (AFD): There is a new commander, Chief Roderick Smith. Also, they’re training personnel to administer COVID vaccine.
Department of Public Works (DPW): Amended and updated sanitation pick-up schedule implemented as of February 15 for 90 days; garbage (green can) will be picked up weekly; recycling (blue can) and lawn trimmings on alternate weeks, so Feb. 15 blue can, Feb. 22 lawn trimmings, March 1 blue can, March 8 lawn trimmings, etc.
Council Member Michael Bond: Alcohol Technical Advisory Group (ATAG) being formed to address the liquor licensing process. Each at-large council post may select four representatives. Contact Bond’s office if you are interested in serving.
Stacy Evans (State District 57 Representative): S.B.10 introduced to address street racing issue:
The bill imposes increased penalties for racing, elevating laying drag and street racing a "high and aggravated misdemeanor." A first offense would impose a mandatory $1,000 fine and six points on the offender’s drivers license (15 points within two years leads to a suspended driver's license). The highest penalty is a $2,500 fine and impounding the car at the driver’s expense until the legal case is resolved. It would also make it a misdemeanor to promote, advertise, or attend a drag race or street race. Additionally, high-performance vehicles, with or modified to have 650 horsepower or more, would require special license plates.
From Rep.Evans: “We certainly have a street racing problem in our neighborhoods, but I am not sure creating yet another crime on our books is the best way to deal with the situation. I've been working with other legislators and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council to make better use of existing laws to address street racing. Stay tuned.”
Legislation that passed in 2018 providing seniors with an additional $20,000 homestead exemption and limiting the annual tax assessment in Fulton County and the city of Atlanta continues indefinitely. If you turn 65 this year, make sure that you sign up with the county for the special exemption.
Office of Housing and Community Development; Carline Rodriquez; Report on Atlanta City Design Housing; go to bit.ly/acdhousing or send an email to housing@atlantaga.gov for more information
Department of Watershed Management (DWM); presentation about the North Fork Peachtree Creek Wastewater Diversion Project; part of the Clean Water Atlanta Program in compliance with several consent decrees issued in the early 2000s; will provide a wastewater collection system to prevent overflows of wastewater during heavy rain events; captures stormwater so it does not get into and overtax the sewer system; main facility will be located on GDOT triangle (I-85, SR400, Sidney Marcus Boulevard); secondary, diversion structure will be built on GDOT land, Cheshire Farm Trail (CFT); DWM has been consulting with the South Fork Conservancy about this project; the trail will be closed for approximately 2 years (2022-2024) but many trail improvements will incorporated into the design of the facility
Check out this link for a more detailed discussion.
Zoning/Legislation affecting Lindridge - Martin Manor:
V-20-139: At 2459 Elizabeth Ann Lane; this application had been deferred several times, applicant withdrawing the application; will proceed with improvements within existing setbacks; will require a building permit; NPU-F voted to “deny without prejudice” an action taken when an application is withdrawn
Proposed Ordinance 20-O-1656; addresses the regulation and taxation of Short-Term Rentals within the the city of Atlanta; there will be a work session by the Community Development/Human Services Committee of the Council on March 1, 2021 from 1pm to 3pm; NPU-F regarded this amended ordinance as a great improvement over the original legislation introduced in the summer of 2020; however NPU-F noted the need for neighborhood notice of certified STRs; and the need of adequate resources within the APD and the Department of City Planning to administer and enforce the provisions of the ordinance.
