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SouthStar
Community Development Corporation
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SouthStar
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P.O. Box 17587 465-C Flat Shoals Avenue Atlanta, GA 30316 ph: 404-522-3755 |
October 15 MeetingAdvisory Committee Meeting #1 - Meeting Agenda Meeting Summary
The first Advisory Committee Meeting for the South Moreland Avenue LCI study was held on October 11, 2007. Flor Velarde, City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning, opened the meeting, welcomed the committee members and provided a brief overview of the study.
The South Moreland Avenue Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study is a six-month project that will identify needs, issues and potential solutions that will improve the quality of life for those who live, work, shop and play in the study area. This project is made possible by a grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission to the City of Atlanta. South Star Community Development Corporation (CDC) submitted the LCI application with the support of the City of Atlanta Ms. Velarde also recognized the outstanding contribution to the project made by Council member Natalyn Archibong, District 5 and Council member Carla Smith, District 1 who, in addition to supporting the grant application, carried the ball in getting the matching funds.
The Advisory Committee members introduced themselves and the area(s) they represent. Other elected officials present included State Representative Robbin Shipp, Dekalb Commissioner Kathie Gannon and Margret Britton on behalf of Dekalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson. In addition, Arthur Duncan and Sydney Douse represented Dekalb County Planning. The sign-in sheet is made a part of the record copy of these notes. Council members Natalyn Archibong and Carla Smith united in welcoming the participants and in expressing gratitude for their commitment to work together to improve the community. Councilmember Archibong stated that this is the first time this community has expanded its vision of an LCI, beyond a MARTA station and that this sends a message to the State that this area is a neighborhood, not just a pass through corridor. Council member Smith expressed her belief that this project will unify the community by bringing many neighborhoods together.
South Star Board Member Ron Lall also thanked the committee members for being there and affirmed that this is a great opportunity. He pointed out that South Star has been hard at work over the past several years trying to develop and execute a vision for the community that will require the involvement of this committee and others during the course of this study but also beyond. The work of South Star and the community will not end with this particular project. Started in 2000, South Star’s goal is to build a strong, vibrant, quality community. He listed several projects that are already under way that include pedestrian improvements, aesthetic improvements, and others. Mr. Lall urged the committee to encourage others to participate in this process and solicited their input, feedback and advice over the next few months.
Ed McKinney, Project Manager from the consulting team led by Glatting Jackson, acknowledged that community planning in a portion of the corridor had already begun. The consultant team will build on and expand that work with emphasis on identifying with the community, projects that can be implemented in the short term and mid term. Mr. McKinney led a power point presentation on the scope of the study and the process. The presentation is attached to and made a part of these notes.
Focus Areas The Advisory Committee was asked to identify areas of focus or concern during this study and they are listed as follows: Improve Confederate Ave. and Glenwood Ave.; major traffic issues and a possible realignment should be considered Address truck traffic on Moreland Ave. Redevelop all the way to Constitution Road Redevelopment should serve people Moreland Ave. used primarily to move people through; need to change function and impression and turn the corridor into a destination Make corridor easy and safe to use for alternative transportation modes such as bike, walk, transit, and wheelchair Create source of pride in corridor Safety for alternative mode of transportation Redevelop from 55 Moreland to Moreland and Constitution Evaluate health effects of truck traffic Inclusiveness – displacement: make sure current residents are not forced to leave because they can’t afford to pay the taxes on their appreciated property. Investigate creative ways to use tax policy to protect existing residents from unwanted displacement For many residents, public transit and walking are the only transportation choice they have. Make the experience safer. Improve aesthetics Dispel long term fears about what is going to happen in the corridor How was advisory board selected Protect private property; do not want to go to a high-rise Growth management; ensure equity for commercial development and housing Make corridor more a destination than a pass through Encourage businesses to take better care of their property Businesses in area should contribute financially to the community since they are benefiting from the community. Encourage all neighborhoods to participate in the process so that they will be more likely to take ownership of the recommendations. Improve coordination between unincorporated Dekalb and the City of Atlanta Provide affordable living and equitable conveniences-Like clean, inviting amenities such as YMCA, sit down restaurants, etc. South Moreland Avenue needs improved public safety; fewer liquor stores, nail salons and dry cleaners Need more appropriate zoning and restrictions versus open classifications South Star wants community represented at the planning phase of the agenda Would like advance copies of the Advisory Committee agenda Include the State DOT and City of Atlanta so that recommendations become easy to adopt Need to include people from entire corridor as part of the process- be sensitive to gentrification issues – no displacement of current residents Resolve traffic issues All segments of the community need to be represented at meetings Need to look at options for commuter traffic to be re-routed. The consultants need to look beyond the corridor itself for options. Questions, Response and Comments Throughout the meeting questions were asked regarding the study. Following is a list of questions, comments and/or ideas that were raised. Questions: Does the study area go to I-20 or Memorial Drive?Response: Just north of the interchange. Question: I do not see an attempt to manage pollution caused by truck traffic. A report shows that anyone living within certain proximity of truck traffic experiences lung issues. I know you all have started discussing this issue with Georgia Department of Transportation. Response: We will look at the truck traffic issue to determine origin and destination. [i]Question: Are you handling the NPU process differently?Response: We will need to look at how we interact with the neighborhood planning units (NPU’s). But generally speaking, NPU’s W and Z are represented on the Advisory Committee and will be actively involved in the study. We anticipate that the formal NPU process will begin at the end of the study. Comment: Business owners and managers in the corridor need to be present and participate in this process. Question: Can you send tonight’s presentation to the committee members and in the future provide in advance of the meeting?Response: Yes we will send a copy of the presentation. Question: I heard that the purpose of this study is to take property and to make the area commercial; is there any truth to this?Response: It is common for people to fear change, but they must have faith in the process. There has not been any discussion yet as to what the recommendations will be. That is the purpose for the study. Comment: I am here because there is not accessibility for cycling and the corridor seems to be taken over by trucks and I don’t like it Comment: This corridor serves a community and we do not want our community to be a corridor that serves through traffic only. We want people to come here as a destination. Question: So the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) does not have a plan to convert Moreland to all commercial?Response: No, they provide funds so communities can develop their own plans. Question: How does this improvement affect taxes so that the property remains affordable?Comment: We can consider a tax allocation district (TAD) to fund the improvement. Comment: Consider this an opportunity to advocate progressive policy to let long-term property owners stay where they are. Comment: Private property owners must be part of this process Comment: After we have a plan we can go back to ARC and get implementation funds for transportation projects such as intersection improvements Question: If we come up with a great plan, how do we keep it from going on the shelf?Response: This does not stop after 6 months. We need the long-term engagement of the community so that the recommendations of this plan as well as other recommendations can be implemented. South Star continues to work on an initiative to figure out how to move forward. Question: Where are there LCI projects that have been successfully implemented?Response: West End, Greenbriar, and other areas (see ARC’s website). ARC has infused $28 million in the City of Atlanta LCI studies since 2001 resulting in millions of dollars in residential and commercial redevelopment. Revised Public Meeting Locations The Advisory Committee proposed changing the locations of some of the public meetings so that the meetings will be more accessible and convenient to all segments of the community. As a result, the public meetings, including the Charrette will be held as reflected below. Kick Off Meeting-October 25, 2007-6:30-8:00 pm-Martha Brown United Methodist Church Design Charrette-December 11, 2007-9:am-4:00 pm. And 6:30 pm-8:00 pm-Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Design Charrette-December 12, 2007-12:00 pm-8:00 pm 12-Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church Design Charrette-December 13, 2007-9:00 am-4:00 pm and 6:30 pm-8:00 pm. First Iconium Baptist Church Draft Plan Presentation- February 7, 2008-6:30-8:00 pm-First Iconium Baptist Church Final Plan Presentation- March 20, 2008-6:30-8:00 pm-Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Citizen Participation Morris Dillard briefly discussed the citizen participation process. He reaffirmed that several strategies will be used to engage and inform the community of the study and to encourage their participation. Those strategies include: Stakeholder interviews (send names to Keri Stevens**) Direct mail Hand delivery of meeting flyers to strategic locations Email list Stakeholder Interviews The team briefly discussed the stakeholder interviews. Interviews will be held in a central location leading up to the charette. The advisory committee will be solicited for input on who to interview so that the process covers a wide range of the real issues. Advisory Committee members were encouraged to contact Keri Stevens, City of Atlanta Office of Planning with names of potential interviewees. Stakeholder interviews will include stakeholders such as large property owners, major businesses, etc. The committee felt it important to have Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) represented. It has a representative on the Advisory Committee, Mike Lobdell, who was present at the meeting. Closing Council members Natalyn Archibong and Carla Smith closed the meeting reaffirming their excitement and resolve to do everything in their power to make the study a success. They strongly encouraged the committee members to get the word out and to encourage citizens, businesses and community stakeholders to participate. The meeting was adorned. The next meeting of the Advisory Committee is November 29th (Rather than December 4) from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at MBUMC. End ****Keri Stevens Urban Planner, Senior City of Atlanta 55 Trinity Avenue Suite 3350 Atlanta GA 30303 klstevensatlantaga.gov 404-865-8554 http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/southmorelandlci.aspx |