A heartwarming story of dedicated public servants from Alpharetta and Milton working together to save a little girl’s life. May God bless them all.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/family-thanks-firefighters-who-saved-toddler-pool/nnbgc/
Tonight the Alpharetta Planning Commission will review an application for another high density mixed use project with more than 400 apartments in the Milton High School District. It seems like just yesterday I was standing in front of the Alpharetta City Council explaining this would happen if they approved the original application.
But that was way back in 2011 when city council members supported the Comprehensive Plan’s goal of a 85% to %15 ratio of single family homes to apartments and told me there was no effort to bring heavy rail MARTA to this city. Recently a resident who remembers those discussions asked me to repost an article I wrote as a concerned resident and local blogger. So in light of this historic occasion I give you this golden oldie from distant past of February, 2011:
Below is a letter submitted by MetLife to justify the Peridot project proposed for Alpharetta. The new project would remove more than 1800 potential jobs from the site in return for building 500 condominiums. Why would the Alpharetta City Council do that? I will let Mr. Ikwut-Ukwa of MARTA’s planning office explain:
“MARTA is also working with the City of Alpharetta to initiate an LCI for the North Point Mall area as part of a proposed north line rail extension. In the past the City of Alpharetta had also inquired from MARTA on the feasibility of having the proposed rail station at a location across SR 400 from the Mall in the vicinity of the development site. MARTA has not yet made a firm decision on the station location but believes this development will add to the density in the area, making for a better transit supportive environment.”
For at least five years the City of Alpharetta has been working with MARTA to increase the density of our city so they can justify bringing trains here. Funny, I don’t remember Alpharetta voters being asked about that. It must have happened at a charade charrette.
IF an Alpharetta mayoral or city council candidate comes knocking on your door this summer to ask for your vote don’t forget to tell them how you feel about the urbanization of Alpharetta to lure MARTA. Obviously they think it is a good idea. They just don’t want you to know.
Last week I qualified to run for a second term on the Alpharetta City Council and no one registered to oppose me. So barring unforeseen circumstances I have again been granted the opportunity to serve as the elected representative of the 60,000+ people who call Alpharetta home. For that I will always be grateful.
And as I continue the work begun in 2012 I am determined to do a better job of keeping the public informed during this next term. One of the best ways I can think to do that is using this blog to update and interact with the people of Alpharetta about issues affecting our city.
A few years before I considered running for office this blog was created to let people know about current events which shape the future of this place we call home. Over time it was the insight gained from writing those articles that drove me to public service. I could no longer just stand by and report as the relentless pressure to urbanize Alpharetta threatened to destroy the quality of life that makes it so special.
Back in 2008 a recession brought urbanization to a grinding halt for a while. Three enormous mixed use developments approved during the previous real estate bubble sat dormant and the people who were pushing for Alpharetta to be just another urban core with bad schools, high crime and MARTA stations were nursing badly depreciated investments.
The biggest concern for our city council at that point was how we could breathe life back into our local economy… and we did. But our success has again fueled a determined few to rejoin their quest of turning Alpharetta into a dense urban core.
In the last four years more than 1000 new apartments have been built or approved in the City of Alpharetta. And our community development department is recommending 400+ more in an urban mixed use development already approved for Milton High School district. All of this is added to the hundreds of townhouses and single family homes on tiny lots that have also been approved. This type of urban density threatens our schools and crowds our roads. We have to be more careful or Alpharetta is going to end up just like any other concrete jungle at the end of a MARTA line.
As a community we cannot build a wall around Alpharetta and refuse to change. But as a community we need to evolve in ways consistent with the vision of the people who live and vote here. That is the only way we can assure Alpharetta will remain the greatest place to do business and raise a family in the state of Georgia.
So it is time to revive GA Jim. I have to do a better job of letting all of you know about the issues shaping our city’s future so it is once again time for me to host this forum called GA Jim.
To foster a healthy discussion commenting is encouraged but understand this is not an official City of Alpharetta website. This website belongs to me and while I hope you will use it to exchange information and views this will all be conducted at my discretion. Any disrespect shown to me, other commenters, elected officials or city employees will not be tolerated. Life is too short for that kind of crap.
So let the fun begin!
Yesterday an extraordinary example of cooperation between Fulton County and the City of Alpharetta occurred. After the City of Alpharetta had donated land for a new library downtown the Fulton County Commission returned the favor by donating the old library site back to the city. Historically our two political entities have had trouble working together so it is nice to see that in recent years we have been able to look past political differences and cooperate in ways that benefit all of our constituents.
I can honestly say that both our Fulton County Commissioners and the Library Board were helpful and gracious in meetings I attended as we looked for ways to work together rather than just score political brownie points. It is never easy for two political entities to put politics aside but I applaud Fulton County Chairman John Eaves, Vice Chairman Liz Hausmann and the entire Fulton County Commission for their efforts in this case. I would especially like to thank Commissioner Bob Ellis for taking the time to meet with me about this topic on several occasions.
Below is a press release issued by the City of Alpharetta yesterday:
In action taken this morning, the Fulton County Commission voted to deed roughly 3 acres of land and a building located at the corner of Mayfield Road and Canton Street to the City of Alpharetta. The property is the location of the former public library that was closed earlier this year.
“We are pleased that the property will remain in public hands so that it can continue to serve as an amenity to the citizens of Alpharetta,” said Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle. “We are grateful to the members of the County Commission for today’s action and for fulfilling the assurances previously made to us.”In December 2013 the City of Alpharetta donated 3 acres of land in its City Center Project to Fulton County to serve as the site for the new Alpharetta Branch Library. Shortly after making the donation the City began conversations with members of the County Commission to express their interest in gaining control of the Canton Street site.
The City plans to hold an open house at Alpharetta City Hall beginning at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 21 to begin a public conversation on the future use of the Canton Street property. The purpose of that session is to provide Alpharetta citizens with an opportunity to share their ideas for how the property should be used.
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle announced today that Primetals Technologies USA LLC, a global leader in engineering, plant-building, and lifecycle partnership for the metals industry, intends to locate its U.S. headquarters in Alpharetta. The city will gain approximately 140 new jobs as the operation moves current staff, hires additional personnel, and invests more than $2 million over the next five years.
“Alpharetta, the Technology City of the South, continues to be a leading destination for corporate headquarters and technology-focused operations,” Belle Isle said. “Primetals Technologies USA LLC adds to Alpharetta’s already sterling portfolio of industry-leading companies. Their commitment to our community is a testament to our strong workforce, high- demand office market and business-friendly climate.”
Formed in January 2015 through a joint venture of Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Primetals Technologies USA LLC offers a complete technology, product and service portfolio that includes integrated electrics, automation and environmental solutions for the metals industry.
The company has nearly 9,000 employees worldwide, with 2,300 working at engineering, manufacturing and service center locations throughout North and South America. The new 35,000 square foot headquarters facility in Alpharetta will house engineers, engineering managers and technicians, as well as personnel involved in project execution, sales and support.
“When our joint venture began operations, the first consideration regarding office space was how to support our people,” said Satoru Iijima, President and CEO of Primetals Technologies USA LLC. “They are the best in the industry, and their working environment must reflect that. Locating fewer than five miles from the Siemens offices will facilitate this transition and strengthen our own corporate identity.”
Iijima also commented that the new office will be a state-of-the art facility, fostering collaboration and enabling Primetals Technologies to support its customers in the Americas as one united team.
February 11, 2014
With the threat of falling limbs and trees causing power outages during the winter storm that moves into the area tonight, the City of Alpharetta is prepared to provide shelter for those impacted. The City will activate all of its fire stations beginning at 7:00 PM Tuesday night to receive those who have lost power and heat in their homes.
“We will be ready to assist our residents, especially the elderly and those with medical conditions, who need a warm place to wait out this event,” said Mayor David Belle Isle. “They can go to any City of Alpharetta fire station for assistance, or for those who cannot safely travel to a fire station, we will come and pick them up.”
Alpharetta will use its Engineering / Public Works facility to house the majority of those in need of shelter and will transport them to that location from the fire stations. According to Belle Isle, all of those facilities have backup generators that will ensure they remain powered and heated throughout the ice event.
Residents seeking shelter should ensure that they bring any medications they require with them.
“We will be prepared to provide them with a heated place to stay and a warm meal until power is restored to their homes,” Belle Isle said.
Alpharetta shelter locations during this winter storm event are:
Those who are unable to travel on their own to one of these stations should call the City of Alpharetta at 678-297-6000 to request assistance.
There has been a great deal of public interest in the first zoning item listed on the agenda so I suggest you get there early if you plan to attend.
Alpharetta City Council
Public Hearing & City Council Meeting
Monday, January 27, 2014 7:30 PM
Location: Alpharetta City Hall – Council Chambers
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
IV. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council Meeting Minutes (Meeting of 01/06/2014) B. Financial Management Report (Month Ending 12/31/2013) C. Alcohol License Applications
1. PH-14-AB-01 Annie’s Italian Kitchen Owner: Annie Scoles 3070 Windward Plaza – Suite X-1 Consumption: Liquor / Beer / Wine / Sunday Sales
2. PH-14-AB-02 Balance Restaurant Group, LLC d/b/a Kickshaw Grill Owner: Balance Restaurant Group 800 North Main Street – Suite 130 Consumption: Liquor / Beer / Wine / Sunday Sales
3. PH-14-AB-03 SK Empire, LLC d/b/a Kahn’s Food Mart Owner: SK Empire, LLC 3955 Old Milton Parkway Package Store: Beer / Wine
V. CITY CENTER (Bob Regus / Mike Hall) A. Workshop And Project Update
VI. PUBLIC HEARING A. Community Development (Richard McLeod / Kathi Cook)
1. MP-13-02 / CLUP-13-09 / V-13-22: Windward Pod 66 Consideration of a request to amend the Windward Masterplan in order to permit single family “for-sale” residential. A request to change the Future Land Use Plan from “Corporate Campus Office” to “Medium Density Residential” is also requested and a variance from the required 50’ undisturbed buffer required between commercial/office uses and residential property. The property is located between Edison Drive and Webb Bridge Road and legally described as being located in Land Lots 1113, 1180, 1176, 1243, 1179, 1242 2nd District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia
2. V-14-04: Top Golf Consideration of a height variance to allow 138’ poles at building grade elevation that are used to hold netting to trap golf balls. The property is located on Westside Parkway and legally described as being located in Land Lots 639, 654, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia
3. V-13-21: Peachtree Residential Consideration of a variance to reduce the minimum building setback from 20’ to 10’ for a townhome building located within Victoria Square. The property is located on Orchid Lane within Land Lot 1270, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia
4. V-14-03: Dania Drive Consideration of a variance request to remove the City’s required 75’ non-impervious buffer and 50’ undisturbed buffer in order to construct a home at 240 Dania Drive. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1177, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia
VII. BUSINESS MEETING A. Administration (Bob Regus / Sam Thomas) 1. Resolution: North Fulton Community Improvement District A resolution of the Alpharetta City Council consenting to the expansion of the North Fulton Community Improvement District
2. Resolution: Hotel / Motel Tax Rate A resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Alpharetta pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 48-13-51(b) to specify a new excise tax rate (hotel / motel tax); to identify the project for tourism development purposes; to specify the allocation of proceeds, and for other purposes
VIII. Reports
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A few weeks ago I saw a post on Twitter from a local news reporter who wrote that MARTA was planning to recommend four heavy rail stations in Alpharetta. That was the first I had heard of such a plan so I immediately contacted Mayor Belle Isle and the rest of Alpharetta’s City Council to see if any of them were aware of the recommendation. Not a single one of us had even heard of MARTA’s intentions much less been consulted on the matter.
So on August 12, 2013 I attended a meeting of MARTA’s Planning and External Relations Committee in Atlanta. At that meeting MARTA’s staff did indeed recommend extending a heavy rail line more than 11 miles along GA 400 through Sandy Springs, Roswell and Alpharetta. This plan called for putting four train stations in Alpharetta including one each at Mansell Road, Northpoint Mall, Old Milton Parkway and one on Windward Parkway which would serve as the end of line regional station.
This is not the first time a MARTA train station has been proposed for Alpharetta nor will it be the last. Traffic is consistently the number one complaint of Alpharetta residents and since we all pay a 1% sales tax to support MARTA it would be nice if we could find some way to get a better return on that money. So I welcome an open and honest discussion of how MARTA can better serve Alpharetta.
Unfortunately MARTA’s Connect 400 initiative has been woefully inadequate in seeking input from actual residents of Alpharetta. The recommendation was based solely on 30 interviews with unidentified “stakeholders” and an online survey consisting of 136 responses to an email that went out to unidentified business interests, local officials and interest groups last December.
Clearly MARTA’s staff made no effort to include Alpharetta’s mayor or city council and in fact I have yet to determine if even one Alpharetta resident was sampled in the research. And as you might expect from such a small, statistically insignificant sample the recommendation is the least practical and most unlikely to be implemented even under the best of circumstances. In an effort to raise awareness of this process I am submitting for your review the presentation which was given at MARTA’s August 12th meeting. Please click this link to review the full 12 page Powerpoint presentation: GA 400 Briefing Presentation
Transportation is a crucial issue for us all and this process could affect the future of Alpharetta forever so I ask you to please take a moment to review the information and let me know your thoughts on this matter. MARTA is also planning to host an informational meeting about this recommendation on September 26th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Alpharetta City Hall. It is imperative that the people most affected by this process speak up before a final determination is made. Please make the time to join us at that meeting.
Hiring a person capable of leading our city’s economic development effort was a key goal for Alpharetta’s new Mayor and City Council this year. So I am proud to announce that Alpharetta has now hired a talented young man to direct that crucial effort to retain and recruit businesses in the city of Alpharetta.
Today’s press release:
Alpharetta Hires Economic Development Director
Following a year-long search the City of Alpharetta has selected the person who will lead its efforts to attract and grow business and private investment. Peter Tokar will begin his new duties as Alpharetta’s Director of Economic Development on June 4.
In making the announcement during Monday night’s City Council meeting, Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle expressed enthusiasm. “This is an exciting time for Alpharetta as we launch initiative like our Technology Advisory Commission, rebrand ourselves as The Technology City of the South, and begin to implement the recommendations in our new economic development plan. Mr. Tokar is bringing new ideas to the table and the experience to help us achieve our goals in an aggressive timetable.”
Tokar will be coming to Alpharetta from South Florida where he led similar efforts for the City of Davie, building that community’s economic development program from scratch. Over a three-year period, Tokar completely restructured the program; rebranding the community, creating new business recruitment strategies, and developing the town’s first structured incentive program to spur job creation. Tokar also dedicated considerable effort to working with existing businesses in Davie to ensure that the environment encouraged their growth and success.
Prior to his time in Davie, Tokar ran economic development programs for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward Alliance, the City of Miramar, Florida, and the Miramar – Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce. Tokar also has private sector experience in sales and public relations.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Advertising from Liberty University and a Masters of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
These are exciting times for Alpharetta and the hiring of Mr. Tokar is just the latest step in positioning our community as the greatest place to live, shop and do business in the state of Georgia. Welcome to Alpharetta Mr. Tokar!
This week the City of Alpharetta unveiled the proposed $78 million budget for 2013. Monday night will be our first public discussion of next year’s budget so if you are curious about what will be discussed you can find it on the city’s website here: http://bit.ly/JIZBuC
I will be glad to hear any feedback you have to share about the budget and will do my best to answer any questions you may have but please understand that at this point I am only a few days into the process of reviewing the 428 page document.
GA Jim 