AJC > NorthSide > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January
January 2007
New Ga. 400 lanes: nightmare or nice move?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some folks just don’t care much for the new extended entrance/exit ramp on Ga. 400 southbound between Windward Parkway and Holcomb Bridge Road.
Take the wag who wrote this in the Northside Vent:
“To the traffic geniuses who designed the Georgia 400 southbound nightmare: You blew it. Get rid of the “exit only” lanes before you kill someone.”
Now, is it really as bad as all that? And if so, is it the road, or do we just need a better breed of driver?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Sandy Springs
Final hurdle for Milton County could be a doozy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A cross-post from the Political Insider blog. If you want to add a comment, or join the discussion, click here for Political Insider blog.
Last week, we filed a post about the back-door tactic available for creating a Milton County.
Briefly, a constitutional amendment would be required if a 160th county were created, which requires two-thirds passage by the Legislature and a statewide referendum.
But if two counties in south Georgia could be persuaded (through financial incentives or otherwise) to merge, then Milton County could be created (or recreated) by a majority legislative vote.
We received two near-identical responses. One from a Republican, the other from a Democrat. Both with lawyerly connections, and both pointed out the same passage in the state constitution: Article IX, Section I, Paragraph II.
It reads: “But no such consolidation, division, or merger shall become effective unless approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon in each of the counties proposed to be consolidated, divided, or merged.”
In other words, regardless of whether two-thirds of the Legislature is necessary, or whether it’s done by majority vote, Fulton County can’t be split unless a majority of Fulton County residents decide it should be split.
Does anybody need to be reminded of the pretty substantial vote that Democrat John Eaves got in the November race for the chairmanship of the Fulton County Commission?
Permalink | | Categories: Milton
Is Abernathy Road Park a good idea?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Right now it’s a busy two-lane road connecting Roswell Road with traffic going to and from the Chattahoochee River and East Cobb. And it’s lined with houses.
But DOT and Sandy Springs have plans to turn a stretch of Abernathy Road into a linear park. (If you’ve ever seen the parks alongside Ponce de Leon Avenue in Druid Hills, those are linear parks.
On a recent weekday, more than 40 people filled a small auditorium at City Hall to meet members of the engineering firm chosen to create a park in Sandy Springs, which officials hope will become the first section of a citywide greenway system.
“Right now, we have a blank slate,” John Boudreau, a planning and landscape architect for PBS&J, told the crowd. “We really see the community helping us shape this park. We’re here to hear from you.”
From passive parks with trails to a dog park for four-legged friends, the residents voiced some of their visions for the green space they’ve been promised for so long.
“It’s interesting to see how this evolved since 1992 or 1993,” said Barbara Prebble, a 25-year resident of Sandy Springs. “The worry with the road was always that it would split the neighborhoods, so anything that will enhance the mobility of people from all neighborhoods is key.”
Residents wanting to provide input can fill out a survey on the city’s Web site (www.sandyspringsga.org). PBS&J will take all public input and return in February with conceptual park designs.
The council is expected to make a decision on the park’s conceptual design in April.
What would you like the park to include or NOT include. Is this a good idea?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Sandy Springs
Secrecy in Lynn Turner trial may be a first
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Forsyth County judge may be setting a precedent in Georgia by ordering that the location of Lynn Turner’s second murder trial be kept secret until one business day before jury selection.
Other high profile cases — including the Fred Tokars murder trial and the murder conspiracy trial of former DeKalb County Sheriff Sidney Dorsey — were moved for pretrial publicity, but had no such restrictions.
Jury selection in the Lynn Turner case is now set for Feb. 26. The judge has barred the barred the release of information on the trial’s location until Feb. 23.
Several prosecutors said Friday they thought the order in Turner’s case is a first.
“I have never heard of that,” said Pete Skandalakis, district attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit.
Turner, who has already been convicted of killing her husband in 1995, was to stand trial this month in Forsyth Superior Court in the 2001 antifreeze poisoning death of Randy Thompson, a Forsyth County firefighter and the father of her two children.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot topics
Johns Creek holds budget hearings Monday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Johns Creek is working on a proposed fiscal year 2007 budget, and public hearings are set for Monday, Jan. 29.
The $31.87 million budget sets aside $16.5 million for CH2M Hill-OMI, the company hired to provide most day-to-day services, $8.7 million to Fulton County for police and fire protection, and about $6 million for public works projects.
The budget year is retroactive to Dec. 1, and for the first year it will just run 10 months, ending on Sept. 30. The first 12-month fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The property tax rate remains unchanged at 4.731 mills.
uns from Dec. 1, 2006 through Sept. 30, 2007. Going forward, the city’s fiscal year will run from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 unless otherwise determined by Mayor and Council.
The public can weigh in on the budget and learn more during two public hearings, the first one Jan. 29, and the second one Feb. 12.
Council expects to adopt the final budget on Feb. 26.
The hearings will be held at 7 p.m. in the temporary City Council Meeting room at 11555 Medlock Bridge Road, Suite 107, Duluth, GA 30097.
On the web: www.cityofjohnscreekga.org
More JOHNS CREEK News from AJC: www.ajc.com/johnscreek
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Johns Creek
New city gets first City Hall (photo)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Photo courtesy city of Johns Creek
In the spring, Johns Creek’s first City Hall will be located in Technology Park/Johns Creek at 12000 Findley Road just off Medlock Bridge Road, officials said Thursday.
Mayor Mike Bodker has signed an five-year lease for 33,000 square feet on third and fourth floor of the building which will house city council chambers as well as offices for administration and nuts and bolts government services. City leaders are hoping that after five years a permanent new city will be built.
Since becoming a city on Dec. 1, Johns Creek has been seated in office space donated by Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter, who represents the community and sponsored legislation incorporating the city last year.
“We’re very happy to have a place to call home,” Bodker said. “Although we are viewing this as a temporary location, it really is an ideal space with enoughroom to address the city’s needs while we look down the road for a more central and permanent City Hall.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Johns Creek
Milton to hold planning retreat Feb. 1-2
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Milton City Council and staff members will hold a planning retreat Feb. 1-2 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4025 Windward Plaza Drive, according to an announcement from the city. The release notes that the city officials will NOT be staying at the hotel overnight. So no sleepover, just planning.
On the agenda are setting goals for the year and exercise that looks at “What are the “legacy projects” that fit and exemplify the tentative mission and values statements developed by the City Council “
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Milton
Are cyclists out of control near the Hooch?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cyclists beware!
Cobb County officials are considering setting up some legal roadblocks on one of the most popular places to ride in metro Atlanta, setting up fines up to $500.
With its flat surface, wide shoulders and lack of parked cars, Columns Drive near Marietta draws dozens of cyclists on a nice day, including many who use the somewhat remote road as their training track, riding lap after lap up and down the 2 1/2 mile street.
But angry residents who live along the road in upwards of million-dollar homes say the cyclists whip along the street three or more abreast, cutting off cars, robbing the roadway and scaring people even as they step out to check their mailbox.
This week, the county Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed “cruising” ordinance that would crack down on those who go back and forth along the road. The ordinance would fine anyone who rides past a given point twice in an hour. The law would not apply to cars and other motor vehicles, but would affect skateboarders and roller skaters.
Your turn: Is the government right to crack down on cyclists, or are the neighbors the ones who are out of line here?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Hot topics
Deal signed to build Alpharetta amphitheater
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Still years away from opening a long-planned new concert hall in Midtown, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday signed a deal to build Encore Park for the Arts, a $35 million amphitheater in Alpharetta.
The 12,000-seat venue, planned for 45 wooded acres across Ga. 400 from North Point Mall, is expected to open in May 2008. The park would host a variety of events, from big-name pop acts and touring Broadway shows to community affairs such as high school band shows and graduation ceremonies, as well as a few summertime ASO performances.
The North Fulton County amphitheater, which will be financed by a bond issue, will be owned and operated by the ASO and, officials hope, become “a major revenue stream” for the symphony.
“Encore Park extends our footprint northward of [Atlanta], following growth where it leads us,” said the Atlanta Symphony’s chief financial officer, Don Fox, who has overseen planning for the project for the past three years. Fox termed the new venue “part of the solution to [the ASO’s] larger financial health.”
Although the ASO expects to have architectural plans drawn up by March, and hopes to break ground soon after, the basics have already been decided. The amphitheater will be located on a natural, bowl-shaped hillside. Stage facilities will be modern, with a fan-shaped roof covering 7,000 seats and space for another 5,000 patrons on the lawn.
Talk about it: Would you attend concerts at the Encore Park for the Arts?
Permalink | | Categories: Hot topics
Milton Says No to Noise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At the behest of noise-weary residents, the city of Milton is planning to adopt an ordinance to put a lid on sound. Residents near the Milton High School stadium have been especially vocal in their plea for relief.
The ordinance, patterned after one in Lilburn, differs from many others in that it doesn’t set specific scientific limits for noise. Instead, it basically it says if a reasonable person with reasonable hearing can hear the noise inside his home, then it’s too loud.
“Only chronic violators who refuse to respect the rights of others are issued citations,” said Lilburn Public Safety Director John Davidson. “Usually, if you ask people to turn it down, they will.”
He said even though the ordinance is based on such vague terms as “unreasonable noise” and “abnormally high,” the ordinance hasn’t been challenged in court yet. Mark Scott, the city’s attorney, noted that laws based on noise meters can be challenged, too.
“It’s difficult to keep decibel meters calibrated, and they are easily challenged on this basis,” he said in an e-mail. “It is based on what a reasonable person would objectively perceive to be offensive. That is the standard that a court must apply.”
The council is debating what exceptions should be allowed in order to accommodate things like celebrations, public gatherings and construction projects. The issue is scheduled to be heard on Feb. 1.
Should Milton have a noise ordinance? What should the standard be?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Milton
Another city’s answer on tree-protection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Sandy Springs continues to squabble over how best to protect the city’s trees without being overbearing to property owners, here’s news of what Atlanta is thinking about in terms of tree law.
The next meeting on the Sandy Springs ordinance is tonight, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at City Hall at 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500.
The AJC’s David Pendered reports the Atlanta City Council is again considering letting property owners cut one tree a year without paying a fee to the city.
Atlanta’s tree ordinance is designed to protect the city’s tree cover. But some residents who can’t afford the cutting fees live in fear of trees falling on their homes, because of storms or sickness.
A majority of council members signed the legislation when it was introduced in February 2006. But the city’s planning department convinced the council to hold the bill while administrators developed their own recommendations.
Councilman C.T. Martin, who represents a portion of southwest Atlanta, moved it to the front burner at the Jan. 16 council meeting.
The Atlanta proposal is to come up for a vote at the council’s Feb. 5 meeting.
More news from Horizon’s “Ahead of the Curve” column, posted Jan. 22.
Read another view from the Around Sandy Springs blog, in a post called “Out on a limb over Sandy Springs tree ordinance.”
Read more about the ordinance, including a link to download the latest draft.
Permalink | | Categories: Sandy Springs
New lanes open on Ga. 400
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s another milestone for Ga. 400, the road that northside commuters love to hate.
Georgia DOT has opened new southbound lanes along a 6 mile stretch of Ga. 400. They were set to open today, but they actually opened a little bit early, on Saturday. Today marked the first rush-hour test.
The new lanes extend southbound from Windward Parkway to Holcomb Bridge Road, giving drivers three through-lanes on the southbound side.
There’s also a lane the road folks call an extended merge lane on the right side of the road.
But you’ll have to pay attention. The right lane only serves drivers going from one entrance to the next exit.
It is designed to serve motorists entering Ga. 400 southbound at Windward Parkway, as well as those entering or exiting at Old Milton Parkway, Haynes Bridge Road and Mansell Road. It also serves drivers who exit southbound at Holcomb Bridge Road.
Here’s the catch: The lane extends only from each southbound entrance ramp to the next exit ramp. If your driving takes you past the next exit, you’ll want to merge into one of the other lanes.
DOT officials said the transit bus lanes northbound and southbound will remain closed for now, pending more construction.
The Ga. 400 widening was constructed for the DOT by Archer Western Contractors at a cost of $47.6 million.
One additional lane northbound and one extra lane southbound, between Windward and McFarland Road, are expected to open by the end of February. The project also includes the installation of sound barrier walls at several locations, which is expected to be completed later this year.
For updates and more info: Check the Georgia Navigator Web site, www.georgia-navigator.com, or call 404-635-6800 or *DOT (star symbol, plus DOT) from a Verizon or Cingular cellphone to reach a Transportation Management Center operator.
If you’ve been on Ga. 400 southbound today, how was the drive, and what do you think of the new lanes?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Milton, Sandy Springs
Fulton Commission opposes Milton County bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Fulton County Commission this week approved a resolution making the county’s official position in opposition to a proposal to recreate Milton County from the suburbs north of Atlanta.
The vote was 5-2, with Commissioners Tom Lowe and Lynne Riley dissenting
The vote means Fulton County lobbyists will oppose House Resolution 12 and any other effort to divide the county.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Hot topics
What’s your Valentine story?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did you get engaged on Feb. 14? Did you get dumped? Do you boycott the day altogether? We want to hear your best Valentine’s Day story, and we may use in an upcoming article for Northside Weekend (print and online). To tell us your story, send an e-mail to northside@ajc.com.
Permalink | | Categories: Hot topics
Should Fulton give taxpayers a refund?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Should Fulton County give back some of its surplus in the form of refunds to taxpayers?
Staff writer D.L. Bennett says the commission is talking about doing just that. But they want some time to think about it first.
The county is expecting a a record $141 million budget surplus.
Rather than just roll back the property tax rate, Commission Chairman John Eaves suggested Wednesday that the board consider refunding $23 million.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to shine — to reward the citizens of Fulton County,” said Eaves, who took over the chairman’s post on Jan. 1.
The idea, floated as the board made last-minute changes to, and eventually adopted, a $660 million general fund budget for 2007, drew everything from excited support to jeers as commissioners struggled with whether they should make such an unusual gesture and, if so, how.
Eventually, the board unanimously agreed to study the idea. They turned it over to the county manager, finance director and tax commissioner to report back within 60 days.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Hot topics
Liquor license tempest in Johns Creek
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the face of criticism of restaurant and bar owners, Johns Creek city officials have backed off some requirements that had to be met before being issued an alcohol license.
The city initially had required that applicants seeking alcohol licenses obtain a property survey to ensure they weren’t too close to schools, churches or other protected places; a background check to ensure no felons were providing alcohol; and to pay for advertising their license applications.
Owners protested that the new city, which just became fully functional on Dec. 1, had imposed unnecessary and expensive rules on them.
After those objections, the city has decided to rely on previously submitted Fulton County surveys for existing businesses. New businesses must provide property surveys. Advertising fees have also been reduced.
The background checks remain.
“While I realize this is an issue for some businesses, we have significant concerns about the prior [Fulton] county process in this area and have a unique one-time opportunity as a new city to start with a clean, accurate record,” said Mayor Mike Bodker.
Your turn: What do you think of the city’s handling of alcohol licenses?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Johns Creek
Sandy Springs backs new Ga. 400 exit at Hammond Drive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NorthSiders could see construction begin on an additional exit/entrance on Ga. 400 as soon as September to serve the busy Perimeter Mall area.
The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday approved a project management agreement with the Perimeter Community Improvement District for the creation of a half-diamond ramp at Ga. 400 and Hammond Drive.
It will allow traffic to exit onto Hammond Drive from Ga. 400 southbound, and it will allow for northbound entrance onto Ga. 400 from Hammond Drive. Plans also include a new five-lane bridge across Ga. 400 and one north and one south auxiliary lane on Ga. 400, from Hammond Drive to Abernathy Road.
PCID officials say the additional entrance and exit would relieve the daily gridlock at Abernathy and Ashford Dunwoody roads.
City officials hope the project, which they will not pay for, will help the congestion on Roswell Road and I-285. Some residents, however, worry the plan won’t do anything but add more traffic to Hammond Drive.
On the web: Perimeter Community Improvement Districts
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Sandy Springs
Johns Creek buys park land
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The city of Johns Creek has officially ls purchased Newtown Park, Ocee Park and Shakerag Park from Fulton County, bringing 110 acres of parkland and green space officially into the city.
Read more on the city web site.
Permalink | | Categories: Johns Creek
1987 Forsyth march: Were you there?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Were you living in Forsyth County or metro Atlanta 20 years ago when civil rights activist Hosea Williams and others marched into downtown Cumming?
Staff writer Nancy Badertscher is interested in interviewing people who participated in the march or lived in the county at the time and have vivid memories or strong opinions about the event.
Please email her at nbadertscher@ajc.com today, if possible.
Please include your name, age, occupation and a telephone number where you can be contacted.
From the AJC archives: Read a selection of stories from the 1987 march.
Permalink | | Categories: Hot topics
Effort to re-create Milton County begins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The move to break up Fulton County began in earnest this week.
Legislation that would allow all of Fulton north of Atlanta to break off into a separate county was introduced by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) on the first day of the General Assembly.
Milton wold encompass about 300,000 people, making it the fifth largest in the state — and dropping Fulton from No. 1 in population to No. 4.
Jones says the people of Fulton are over-taxed and under-served, and they deserve a government that is closer to them and more responsive.
But if her bill succeeds, it will raise serious long-term questions about the funding of Grady Memorial Hospital and MARTA, both of which lean heavily on Fulton for support.
The bill calls for a statewide vote on amending the Georgia constitution to allow previously existing counties to be re-created.
Georgia is at its constitutionally-mandated limit of 159 counties, but Jones’ bill would allow an exemption that applies only to Milton in north Fulton and Campbell in south Fulton. Both counties were merged into Fulton during the Great Depression because they couldn’t fund their operations.
Jones’ bill, like the bill to create Sandy Springs in 2005, is strongly supported by Northside Republicans and opposed by Southside Democrats.
Because the bill calls for a constitutional amendment, it requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate. The Republicans don’t have two-thirds of either chamber, but they expect broad-based support for freedom of choice, as Sandy Springs got.
Under Jones bill, Milton’s superior court would remain in the Fulton judicial circuit, but Milton would create its own school system.
The bill is expected to be debated in the 2007 Legislature and voted on in 2008. If it passes the General Assembly, a statewide referendum would be held on the Nov. 2008 ballot.
On the web: See copies of the bill in PDF format.
Which new city has the best logo?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Northside’s three new cities have distinct logos, two of them with water themes.
For Milton, it’s a free-form minimalist sketch of a running horse, for a city that is home to horse farms, golf courses and mansions. They chose wavy blue lines to suggest flowing water for Johns Creek, known for its brick and stacked stone shops and landscaped neighborhoods. Sandy Springs also has a logo with a water theme, suggestive of the Chattahoochee River, which forms the city’s border with Roswell.
The Johns Creek and Milton logos were drawn by a graphics designer with CH2M Hill-OMI, the company hired to provide the day-to-day municpal services for the two new cities. Milton Interim City Manager Aaron Bovos and two other staff members picked the logo they liked best, and Mayor Mike Bodker approved the Johns Creek emblem.
The Johns Creek logo will be on letterhead, uniforms, vehicles and other official items. The Milton horse will be seen on letterhead and other unofficial city paraphernalia, although official documents will sport the city seal, which depicts a circular, less abstract rendering of a running horse.
The Sandy Springs logo, unveiled in June, was designed by Atlanta-based JP Design+Communications, which was hired to step in where the residents failed. Readers may recall the city held a logo contest for residents, but the mayor and City Council didn’tt see an entry that they liked enough to adopt it.
So, there you have it, three cities, three logos. Which one do you think does the best job of capturing its city? (To see them, click on the links below the poll)
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Milton, Sandy Springs
Should Forsyth County stop its development?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Looks like you’ll have to hold off on building that new home in Forsyth County.
Forsyth County Commissioners voted on Thursday night to put the brakes on residential rezonings for 90 days.
Slow-growth advocates asked for a better plan of managing rapid growth and home builders pleaded that the moratorium could translate into layoffs and bad blood between the county and businesses.
Still, the Commission decided they wanted 90 days to make changes to assess how much more growth the county’s facilities can bare and examine its rules governing residential development, including lot sizes and densities.
Do you agree with the moratorium? And even if you don’t, what changes would you like to see in the county’s new zoning laws?
Read more on the moratorium.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Hot topics
Donne Bland, Sandy Springs activist, dies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Donne Bland, active in Sandy Springs civic affairs, has died at the age of 71.
Bland, who died Dec. 30, is a former chairman of the Board of Sandy Springs Revitalization and the Sandy Springs Design Review Board.
Memorial services are to be held on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 2pm at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs 404-851-9900.
Read the full article from the AJC family-placed notices.
Permalink | | Categories: Sandy Springs
