Alpharetta approves exclusive tax district for North Point area
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The City of Alpharetta is looking forward to discussions in 2026 with Fulton County and the school district in hopes they will participate in a North Point area tax allocation district.
The City Council unanimously approved the tax district at its Nov. 17 meeting. The district will go into effect Dec. 31.
Anchored by North Point Mall, the district includes 150 parcels and almost 650 acres with a taxable digest of about $265 million, about 3 percent of the city’s total digest.
A tax allocation district, or TAD, does not institute a new tax. But it does allow a portion of future property taxes generated within its boundaries to be set aside and used for improvements like sidewalks and parks within that area.
This is the city’s second shot at creating a North Point TAD.
Back in 2019, city leaders approved a North Point TAD, but neither the county or school district signed on, and the initiative was dissolved amid the pandemic.
With participation by Fulton County and Fulton County Schools, the TAD could generate more than $950 million over 30 years, according to current estimates.
See APPROVAL, Page 16
Roswell officials celebrate veterans’ sacrifice, service
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — It was a morning of reflection and appreciation at the Roswell Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 as veterans gathered in City Hall to be honored.
Traditionally held at Roswell Area Park, the ceremony took on a different tone when it was moved inside due to inclement weather. Still, 20 veterans gathered with their families in the
council chambers.
The ceremony opened with a presentation of the flags by the color guard from the Roswell Police Department. The department has 39 veterans, some of whom were in attendance, and the Roswell Fire Department has 23 veteran members.
A slideshow of photos played throughout the ceremony, featuring veterans in attendance and those in memorial.
See VETERANS, Page 16
PHOTOS BY: HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Mayor Kurt Wilson speaks to veterans at Roswell’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at City Hall’s council chambers Nov. 11.
Police Chief James Conroy sits with fellow officers who served in the armed forces at the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at City Hall’s council chambers.
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Woman cited for battery after allegedly hurling bottle
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A Norcross woman was arrested on a felony aggravated battery charge after an incident Nov. 1 in which she allegedly threw a bottle of Bacardi 151 at a bartender’s face.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. at a Webb Bridge Road establishment.
The bartender told officers the woman grabbed the bottle from behind the bar and threw it at their face, police said. The bartender suffered a cut to their upper lip and loosened front teeth.
The report said the woman was asked to leave and made inappropriate comments on the way out.
Another employee told police she was familiar with the woman and corroborated the assault, police said. Officers confirmed the woman’s identity by checking her Instagram profile.
Officers phoned the woman, and she complied with a request to come to the police station.
The woman admitted to police she had thrown the bottle, saying an argument occurred after she knocked over napkins and straws. The woman said the bartender threw a glass dish at her, but that account was denied by the employee.
— Jon Wilcox
Roswell man charged with reckless driving
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An 18-year-old Roswell man was accused of underage drinking and reckless driving after police found his wrecked Ford Mustang Nov. 1.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to Old Roswell Road and Mansell Court East about 7:30 a.m. where a crash was reported. Officers found an
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orange Mustang with a tire detached from its axle. The air smelled of burned rubber, and the asphalt was marked with three circular tire marks and rubber flakes.
A witness provided police with a photo of the driver leaving the vehicle.
Police said they identified the vehicle’s registered owner, who appeared to match the man in the photo.
Minutes later, the driver returned to the vehicle and was arrested. Police said he smelled of alcohol.
As the driver was being taken to a hospital, he allegedly threatened police with violence, saying he wanted to decapitate one officer.
— Jon Wilcox
Bookkeeper reports fraud totaling almost $40,000
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported fraud of almost $40,000 from a bookkeeper Oct. 29.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a 65-year-old Cumming woman reported the crime. The woman, who works at home, serves as the bookkeeper for a recruiting firm with offices in Atlanta.
The woman said she discovered the fraud while reviewing the company’s business transactions.
She said she found fraudulent documentation was used to wire money from Wells Fargo accounts.
The woman said she had no suspect in who may have stolen the money.
The report was classified as a felony theft by deception.
— Jon Wilcox
Driver, passenger arrested on drug possession charges
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A driver and passenger were arrested on drug charges after a Ga. 400 traffic stop Nov. 2.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a Ford Mustang about 12:30 a.m. on southbound lanes near Shiloh Road because one of its headlights was out.
Deputies reported smelled marijuana while speaking with the driver, a 48-year-
THE PICTURE FRAMER
old Alpharetta man, and passenger, a 47-year-old Johns Creek woman. The vehicle was searched, and marijuana, a grinder, pipe and lighters were found.
A search also found pills containing a substance suspected of being methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Both were arrested on felony possession of methamphetamine charges.
— Jon Wilcox
Cincinnati man faces charge of damaging bank windows
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 40-year-old Cincinnati man Nov. 4 after he allegedly shattered six windows at the Truist Bank off Perimeter Center West around 10:30 p.m.
An officer said a valet employee at the neighboring business reported the incident after hearing glass shatter, walking over to the bank and seeing a man throw what appeared to be rocks at the window.
Upon arrival, the officer said he found a person matching the suspect’s description sitting on a curb in the bank parking lot and detained him without incident.
The Cincinnati man allegedly told officers that he planned to break the windows so he could gain entry to rest and “hopefully get arrested and go to jail for an extended time.”
Officers said the man displayed signs of mental health issues and paranoia after rambling several times about being followed and trafficked from Ohio.
During a search of the suspect, officers said they found rocks in his front pocket.
Later, the assistant property manager at the bank arrived to secure the business.
Officers said they obtained warrants for felony criminal damage to property and loitering and prowling after transporting the man to DeKalb County Jail.
According to records, the suspect remains in jail as of Nov. 13.
— Hayden Sumlin
School Board advances $14 million in upgrades to Autrey Mill Middle
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Fulton County Board of Education reviewed two contracts totaling over $20 million for school renovations at its Nov. 11 work session.
The projects would renovate Autrey Mill Middle School and upgrade the audio and visual systems at three area high schools.
The contract to renovate Autrey Mill totals $14.2 million with a 5 percent contingency fund. Funding comes through Education Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (ESPLOST).
The extensive renovations will remove and replace all light fixtures with LED lighting, replacing the emergency generator, boilers and other heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and installing a new intercom system. All acoustic ceiling tiles will also be removed and replaced.
The contracts, both awarded to Ward Humphrey, Inc., were placed on the consent agenda for formal approval at the Nov. 20 School Board meeting. It is set to be approved alongside another contract with Ward Humphrey totaling $6.9 million to install new audio and video systems in theaters at Langston Hughes,
Autrey Mill Middle School in Johns Creek is in line for a major facelift after the Fulton County School Board approved some $14.2 million for major upgrades. Renovations include replacing all light fixtures with LED lighting, replacing the emergency generator, boilers and other systems.
Johns Creek and Centennial high schools. The schools will also receive equipment upgrades, including wireless microphones, an intercom system and other upgrades to make the system fully functional.
Upgrades are expected to be completed by December 2027 and will be funded through sales tax dollars.
Other items on the consent agenda
for the Nov. 20 meeting will be to update the district’s local facility plan with the state to reflect recent school closures and renovations. Following their closure in February, Spalding Drive and Parklane elementary schools will be phased out. Another resolution will phase out the old facility for Camp Creek Middle School since a new building is under construction.
North Springs High School is also receiving renovations, including a new instructional building where the school’s athletic fields used to be. Staff expect construction on the new North Springs facility to be completed by August 2027. The School Board will meet Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at the South Learning Center in Union City for its next board meeting.
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Georgia High School Football Daily names Roswell “Team of the Week”
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — After a statement win over longtime rival Milton Oct. 31, the Roswell Hornets have been named the Georgia High School Football Daily Team of the Week.
After several days of combing through scores and statistics, Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye selected Roswell’s performance as the best in the state out of more than 400 teams. The decision was based on quality of the opponent, how well the team played, and the historical significance of the win.
The Hornets checked all the boxes, snapping a six-year winning streak by their longest-standing rival. The Great American Rivalries series with the United States Marines was present at the matchup.
Jeff Gable, who is the marketing representative for GHSF Daily and a Roswell native, said the win was special for the contributions from many different players.
“It was a complete victory,” he told the team. “It shows you’re one of the best programs in all of Class 5A. You’re continuing to build on a historic legacy for Roswell, there’s a lot of tradition here.”
Going up against the No. 9 defense in the state was no match for the Hornets’ dynamic duo in the backfield of quarterback Trey Smith and running back Nick Peal. The pair combined for 340 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Kicker Balint Vorosmarty won the game with a 48-yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The victory boosted the Hornets into the top 50 teams in the nation at No. 43.
Hornets head coach Jonathan Thompson said it was his first time winning the team award and that his coaching staff will cherish the coming weeks with the senior class.
“There were many plays [by Milton] that could have been momentum- and game-changing plays, and when they happened, we didn’t flinch,” he said. “Our kids have really taken on that resiliency and just wanting to play for the guy next to him and fix the things that they gotta get corrected. [This award] is just a testament to what they’ve done, and the win on Friday was a big moment for our community.”
Coming to Roswell from Lee County as the offensive coordinator, Thompson was all-too-familiar with the Eagles’ defense even without experience coaching in North Fulton. En route to their second straight title last year, Milton defeated Lee County in the semifinals.
Thompson said the team is improving on “the little things” now to reap the benefits later in the postseason.
Quarterback Trey Smith says the key to success is taking everything one step at a time and keeping it simple.
“What we’ve been doing is working, so we just need to keep getting better and keep it rolling,” he said. “I’m expecting us to go out there and do what we do, play fast, physical, smart and together. I’ve played with some of these guys my whole life and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else, I’m excited that we have this opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong and let all our hard work continue to pay off.”
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell’s senior class stands with their coaches and GHSF Daily representatives after being presented with the “Team of the Week” Award Nov. 4.
Crabapple Crossing students learn, share for less fortunate
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — The cafeteria at Crabapple Crossing Elementary School overflowed with 130 students Nov. 12, filling boxes and tote bags with donated food.
Over the past four years, the elementary school has partnered with STAR House Foundation for the twoweek Raise Craze fundraiser that provides underprivileged kids with meals over Thanksgiving break.
“These families are having any number of struggles, be it food insecurity or childcare or a sustainable house,” Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Christiansen Butler said. “It really puts another layer on…because it really is a lot of the time that kid is home by themselves.”
STAR House Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides after-school tutoring and mentoring to children throughout North Fulton County. Currently, there are STAR House programs at Esther Jackson, Mimosa and Vickery Mill elementary schools.
Students grabbed a list, and parents helped fill bags with ramen, canned vegetables, granola bars and other non-
Parents help their kids fill food
perishable items donated by families at Crabapple Crossing. More than 70 meal bags were packed for students in the STAR House program at Esther Jackson Elementary School to take home for Thanksgiving break. Volunteers filled an additional 20 meal boxes for families at Crabapple Crossing, Northwestern Middle School and Milton High School.
“My favorite part of partnering with STAR House is that this goes right back to Fulton County students,” Crabapple
Crossing Principal Laura Butler said. “We’re all in this together.”
Crissy Garner, mother of two students at the school, spoke with her daughters the night before volunteering about the impact they’re making. She said the event is a good way to present to kids that not everyone always has cereal in the pantry or parents to make them snacks after school.
“Now I know that sometimes people need help,” Garner’s 9-year-old daughter
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A full bag of food for a student in the STAR House program at Esther Jackson Elementary School packed during Crabapple Crossing Elementary School’s Raise Craze event on Nov. 12. One bag includes 34 food items, a card, coloring book and crayons.
said after volunteering, “and it made me happy that I can help them.”
In addition to food, families donated 82 sweatshirts and sweaters for STAR House students at Mimosa Elementary School. Each student in the program will receive a clothing item to help them keep warm throughout the winter. Donations include coloring books and bags of candy as well.
“You have all shown that you are kind kids and kind neighbors because you are kids helping kids,” Butler told students.
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PHOTOS BY: HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
bags at Crabapple Crossing Elementary School’s fourth-annual Raise Craze fundraising event Nov. 12.
Milton teen decorates her own path to profit
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Art became a healing outlet for Savannah Murray when she was 13 years old. After being bullied by her teacher, she started drawing without ever taking an art class and has since gained recognition as a published, award-winning artist. Now, at 19, Savannah is a business owner, combining her passion for art with the outdoors through her porchdecorating business, Pumpkinful Porch Designs.
“I’ve always been kind of artistic,” Savannah said, “and I always liked the fall and colors of trees. I thought, what can I do with art and something outdoors?”
The inspiration to start her own business sparked from frustration. As a young adult with autism, Savannah struggled to find a job despite her success as an artist and nature photographer. After months of interviews, Savannah’s mother, Theresa Murray, said it was difficult to see her daughter rejected for jobs she was qualified for. She recounted a time when Savannah was turned down for a dog sitting job despite volunteering with horses and being a
certified raptor handler.
“It’s been an awakening for her, and she is just so full of pride in herself, knowing that she has the ability,” Theresa said. “She just needed to hire herself because nobody else believed in her.”
No matter where an individual lies on the spectrum, it’s difficult for autistic adults to get a job, Theresa said. Recent estimates from the Autism Society of America found that 85 percent of individuals with autism who have a college degree are unemployed or underemployed. With those statistics in mind, Savannah set out on a mission to make her business a place where people on the spectrum can feel confident in the workplace.
“I know it’s hard to get a job being autistic,” Savannah said. “I think it would be cool to help other people get a job that they can do without being judged or having to be perfect at it … and help other people get hired.”
Decorating the porches of five or six homes in a day adds up, and Savannah wants help managing the 8,000 pounds of pumpkins she’s used so far this year.
See MURRAY, Page 9
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I’ve always been kind of artistic. I thought, what can I do with art and something outdoors?
SAVANNAH MURRAY, owner, Pumpkinful Porch Designs
THERESA MURRAY/SPECIAL
Savannah Murray, owner of Pumpkinful Porch Designs, sits on a porch she decorated with heirloom pumpkins. In only her first year of business, Savannah has decorated over 50 porches across Metro-Atlanta.
A truckload of pumpkins that Savannah Murray uses to decorate porches. The pumpkins are sourced from North Georgia and, after they’re used as decoration, are donated to a local farm as food.
Murray:
Continued from Page 8
Savannah started preparing for her first year taking clients in June and has decorated more than 50 porches across the metro Atlanta area in 2025, even going as far as Athens to bring fall to customers’ front doors. Each house sparks new inspiration for Savannah as she balances the pumpkins’ color scheme to make the design flow across the porch.
“It can take her about an hour to do 20-30 pumpkins on a step,” Theresa said. “It takes practice for her and she’s getting better as she goes along with it.”
Savannah hopes to hire teenagers who are on the spectrum to help her transfer materials and coordinate with customers as her business expands. With pumpkin season winding down, she envisions building a brand that will encompass Hollyful – bringing Christmas-themed porch decoration – and Porchful Artistry that will decorate porches year-round.
Theresa said it’s really inspiring to
see Savannah’s personal growth, and even more so when they receive messages of how her ambition has inspired children on the spectrum. Theresa said they receive phone calls and emails sharing how Savannah’s story has inspired others and allowed them to recognize that autistic individuals can do anything.
“It’s been really great for Savannah,” Theresa said, “but it’s also heartwarming to know that other people are being inspired by this.”
Savannah’s entrepreneurship has received a nomination for the Star Award at the annual Star Shine Gala hosted by Spectrum, a company providing autism support, education and resources. The award celebrates businesses that employ individuals with autism in metro Atlanta.
“People really do not understand the difficulties of autism,” Theresa said. “I think the world should be a little bit more accommodating to the autistic community because they have so many abilities and it’s being overlooked right now.”
To get in contact with Savannah Murray and add a seasonal surprise to your porch, visit https://pumpkinful.com/ or reach out to 678-706-7897.
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Downtown Alpharetta salon celebrates 25th anniversary
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Aria Salon, a staple of downtown Alpharetta’s business community, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Owner and founder Matthew Khodayari said he is proud to celebrate a quarter century of business for his salon, which began with a single chair but now serves thousands.
“This milestone reflects not only our team’s hard work and passion but also the unwavering support of our amazing clients and the entire Alpharetta community,” Khodayari said.
Located at 41 Milton Ave., the salon has become known for its personalized service, expert stylists, and commitment to staying ahead of trends in hair care
and fashion. It has cultivated a loyal clientele through relationship building, consistency, and investment in the local community.
To commemorate the anniversary, Aria Salon is hosting a special in-salon celebration throughout November featuring client appreciation giveaways and exclusive promotions.
“As a downtown Alpharetta merchant, we’re proud to be part of a city that values local businesses and fosters growth,” Khodayari said. “This milestone is not just about us — it’s about Alpharetta, and how this city continues to uplift small businesses like ours.”
— Jon Wilcox
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Doctor-turned-entrepreneur advises seniors how to avoid ER
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dr. Nadia Nabavi, a former Northside Hospital and Grady Healthcare physician, said the top three reasons seniors end up in the emergency room are falls, UTIs and pneumonia.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents invited Nabavi to host its Nov. 11 program, “From UTIs to Falls: Understanding What Sends Seniors to the Emergency Room,” at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
Nabavi listed the Big Three causes in order. She said a third of people over age 65 will fall at least once.
“I’m an emergency/EMS physician … that means I’m really good at identifying things that are gonna kill you,” she said. “One thing we saw over and over again was there were many calls for seniors, and it wasn’t like our seniors needed the hospital, but they also needed more than just ‘take two aspirin and call your primary care physician.’”
That realization inspired Nabavi to found Green Dot Health as an alternative to what she sees as a broken healthcare system that saddles seniors with huge hospital bills, sometimes for care they could receive at home.
Green Dot Health’s services include 24/7 access to board-certified ER doctors like Nabavi, at-home lab draws, prescription and imaging coordination, post-visit follow-ups and a straightforward billing process.
Membership to the virtual practice starts at $149 a month, a threemonth minimum commitment is required.
With an emergency room visit ranging from $1,500-$3,000 and trips to an urgent care exceeding $150, Green Dot Health “fills a gap” in senior healthcare.
Incentives to join
The membership also qualifies for tax-free reimbursement from health and flexible savings accounts, which can be especially useful for Medicare enrollees to offset out-of-pocket costs.
When Nabavi asked the crowd of 30 how many had been to the emergency room in the past year, at least half of the hands went up. More than 800,000 seniors are hospitalized each year.
A urinary tract infection is far more common than pneumonia but much more dangerous for seniors. Falling is the most common, which can occur after a senior develops an infection.
Nabavi said one way caregivers can assess fall risk is to perform a “timed up-and-go test,” having them stand up, walk 10 feet, turn around, stroll back to the chair and sit down. If it takes someone more than 12 seconds, they may be at risk of falling.
Prevention methods include physical and occupational therapy, which can strengthen core and leg muscles while teaching people how to get up after a
fall. An occupational therapist can also come into a home and strategize how things like furniture placement and lighting can be improved.
What seniors really want to avoid is falling and breaking their hip, which exacerbates existing ailments and mortality rates.
Nabavi said seniors can meet with a podiatrist to have a doctor look at their feet and suggest optimal footwear. She said checking vision and hearing is important as well.
“If there’s something else going on … the fall is actually a symptom of a bigger problem,” Nadavi said. “And that’s sort of our segue into infections.”
Tracking another threat
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are more common in women than men due to a variety of anatomical and hormonal factors. Men can get them too.
“If a bladder infection doesn’t get treated, then that infection can then move up to your kidney,” she said. “Usually the trigger is ‘mom is getting up a lot to the restroom, and she doesn’t normally do that,’ and that may culminate in a fall.”
A few program attendees were in the process of caring for their own aging parent suffering from an infection.
Kelly, a Brookhaven woman, said her 88-year-old mother had been refusing to undergo a procedure to take images of her bladder to diagnose what doctors told her may be a UTI.
So far, medicine hasn’t helped.
Growing impatient, Kelly said the program inspired her to keep pushing for answer to her mother’s discomfort, which may involve convincing her to have the procedure.
Preventing pneumonia, or an infection of the lungs, is straightforward. The best was to protect against it is to have seniors routinely vaccinated against the most prolific strain and wear a mask in crowded spaces.
Despite the politicization of vaccines, seniors in the room said they get them after conducting their own cost-benefit analysis.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents held its Nov. 11 meeting in the Asbury Room at Dunwoody United Methodist.
The nonprofit ACAP has grown from a small program founded in Hickory, North Carolina in 2012 to more than nine locations across the eastern United States.
The state of Georgia has four chapters, one in Cobb and Cherokee counties, another in Forsyth County, a Hall County group and the North Atlanta chapter, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
All in-person programming is free.
More informational meetings
ACAP North Atlanta Chapter Coordinator Mary Remmes, a life coach for the adult children of aging parents, said there will not be a meeting in December but programming through March 2026 is ready to go.
Another member of the leadership team, Holly Mitchell, discussed her entrepreneurial venture ChangingSpaces with co-founder Linda Kaplan that helps manage moves for seniors.
“My company can help people do all of these tasks,” Mitchell said. “ChangingSpaces was born to help people move and rightsize and figure out how they’re going to help themselves live easier and simpler and stress-free.”
For more information about the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents, visit acapcommunity. org.
For more information about Dr. Nabavi’s business, visit greendothealth. com.
For more information about Mitchel and Kaplan’s business, visit changingspacesatlanta.com.
North Fulton charity schedules coat, Thanksgiving food drive
ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) is bringing back its annual CoatsGiving program, presented by Nalley Automotive, Nov. 17-22, at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Roswell.
The initiative provides warm winter clothing and Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of families across North Fulton.
Donation drop-off will run from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Nov. 17-19. Family distribution will take place Nov. 20-22.
With rising costs and limited resources, many families are turning to NFCC for help, and the nonprofit expects to serve roughly 600 families during CoatsGiving. The organization is specifically seeking coats for young children, from infants to 11-yearolds, to meet the growing demand.
“CoatsGiving is a beautiful example of what happens when a community comes together,” said Sylvia Cardona, vice president of community engagement at NFCC. “A warm coat and a holiday meal may
seem simple, but they represent dignity, care and connection for families who are working hard to make ends meet.”
CoatsGiving combines two longstanding NFCC traditions: the Thanksgiving food program that was started in 1984, and the Warm Coats drive, launched in 1994 by a local Girl Scout Troop. The programs merged in 2024 to better serve families in one convenient experience.
Here is how to give:
• Donate nonperishable food items, such as canned vegetables, dry potatoes, dry beans, cranberries, stuffing or dessert mixes.
• Provide new or gently used coats and winter accessories in all sizes, especially for young children.
• Contribute gift cards from Kroger or Walmart.
For donation guidelines, sign-up forms and more information, visit nfcchelp.org/coatsgiving/.
— Hannah Yahne
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dr. Nadia Nabavi explains how seniors can avoid preventable trips to the emergency room at the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents’ Nov. 11 program at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
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Approval:
Continued from Page 1
Without their participation, the city’s contribution would amount to about $153 million.
The tax district could function without county and school district buy in. It also may be dissolved at any time.
Mayor Jim Gilvin said he thinks the school district and county could benefit from the tax district.
A study commissioned by the city predicts about a 400 percent increase in the area’s tax digest by 2040.
“Hopefully, we will be able to figure it out,” he said. “It might take some time and a lot of lawyers, but I think we are looking for a win-winwin for all of us.”
Redeveloping the area could result in enormous benefits for the city, county and school district, officials said. The area has seen significant declines in property values in recent years despite its promising location.
Opened in 1993, North Point Mall was once a premier shopping and dining destination but has depreciated considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic. It also has suffered economic setbacks with the openings of mega mixed-use developments like Avalon and Alpharetta City Center.
Since 2019, the taxable real estate value of nine mall parcels has fallen by about 47 percent.
Estimated 2024 city, county and school district property taxes on mall real estate and commercial personal property fell by nearly 53.5 percent compared to five years ago.
Councilman Donald Mitchell said that trend leaves the city with few options other than pursuing the tax district.
“It’s either going to grow in a proper way or it’s going to go down,” he said.
Veterans:
Continued from Page 1
Council members Lee Hill and William Morthland were present at the ceremony alongside Mayor Kurt Wilson. The mayor thanked veterans for their courage in defending freedom abroad and strengthening the community.
“Each of you represents a chapter in the American story,” Wilson said. “A story written in courage, sacrifice and love of country.”
Wilson, who served in the Army, introduced the “Esteemed Veterans” program during the 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. He issues the Esteemed Veteran of Roswell Award to a local veteran at the beginning of City Council meetings, ensuring that Roswell’s veterans are recognized and their stories are shared.
“Your courage continues to inspire us,” Wilson said. “Your integrity continues to shape us. And your service continues to remind us of what it means to live with purpose and to love this country deeply.”
20 veterans gathered in City Hall to attend Roswell’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony the morning of Nov. 11.
HANNAH YAHNE/ APPEN MEDIA
OPINION
Foiled in pursuit of a new political conspiracy
PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com
There is more ink devoted to conspiracies today than ever.
As an alien comet tours our solar system and governments conceal “the truth” behind UFOs, news organizations speculate on hidden political agendas.
Conspiracies, with evidence as thin as gossamer, are vortexes that draw us into a blurry reality.
Yet, despite my practice of weighing all facts before leaping into conjecture, I recently descended into the abyss.
The reptilian part of my brain took over last week when I received emails and calls about Rep. Chuck Martin and his highoctane advocacy for failed Alpharetta City Council candidate Donna Murphy.
I spoke with people I’ve grown to trust over the years, people I respect.
A vague tapestry formed in my head, as they murmured theories of a year-long ploy to manipulate conditions in favor of specific candidates.
Here are the facts
Three days after losing the race to Katie Reeves for Alpharetta City Council Post 2, Donna Murphy appeared before the Fulton County Board of Elections to ask whether newly enacted legislation would make her eligible for a runoff with Reeves.
Under a new format passed by the City Council this year, Alpharetta, for the first time in its history, now decides winners of
municipal races by a majority of votes cast – 50 percent plus one vote. Before this year, whoever received the most votes won.
The official count was Reeves, 5,189 or 50.1 percent; Murphy, 3,647 or 35.3 percent, Bart Dean with 1,519 votes or 14.7 percent.
A lot was made of that razor thin 50.1 percent Reeves garnered. That .1 percent constitutes about a dozen votes.
But the total count did not factor in write-in votes. If it had, Reeves might have fallen short of the threshold required to avoid a runoff with Murphy.
Now, here’s the conspiracy
Rep. Martin co-sponsored the legislation allowing Alpharetta to change its election system. Look it up, HB640.
He was asked to do this following a 6-1 vote at a December 2024 City Council meeting. Official records show the item was sponsored on the agenda by council members John Hipes and Dan Merkel. Both had supported Murphy’s failed City Council bid in 2021 against incumbent Councilman Donald Mitchell.
Mitchell lodged the lone dissenting vote on the proposal.
Rep. Martin has publicly stated he prefers a council’s unanimous consent before pursuing legislation focused on that city. Yet, Donald Mitchell, the person he’d tried to unseat three years earlier on behalf of Murphy, had voted no.
Add to that, shortly following the Nov. 4 election, Rep. Martin visited the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office himself for a ruling on whether the new legislation he
co-sponsored should include write-in votes.
The state said “no.”
Fulton County said “no.”
The city explains that write-in candidates must qualify, just like those printed on the ballot. If they do not file papers to qualify, the written name means nothing in the count.
Clearing the fog
After scanning public records, making phone calls and other rabbit-hole activity, part of me wanted this to be a conspiracy. I wasn’t out to get Chuck Martin, just a good story.
But unless Martin is some sort of political Edgar Cayce, it doesn’t add up.
First, the legislation allowing Alpharetta’s new election format was cosponsored by three other local legislators.
One was Rep. Todd Jones. Another was Rep. Jan Jones. Both endorsed Katie Reeves.
The fourth co-sponsor, Rep. Michelle Au, has no record of endorsing any of the candidates.
Second, candidates Reeves, Murphy and Dean were running for a seat they couldn’t have known would be open when the election format proposal was made last December. The Post 2 seat became vacant in June when Councilman Brian Will resigned for run for the State Senate.
Of course, there were two other council seats on the ballot in this cycle, and one was going to be open for sure, because Mitchell was prohibited by term limits.
So, there’s that.
Finally, although he voted against changing the local election format, Mitchell signed the official City Council document advocating for the legislative action. Mitchell says he signed mostly as a formality to move the election forward. He says he remains opposed to a system forcing a runoff that could cost the city an extra $150,000, a system that favors the candidate with the most money.
Martin says he read the official, signed document as full council consent.
Rep. Martin makes no apologies for being an enthusiastic campaigner for his friend. I know he riled some people in Windward, a northern part of the city outside his legislative district. He says he was correcting misinformation.
He also says he disclosed to the Secretary of State’s Office, from the outset, that he had a personal interest when he asked for a ruling on the write-ins.
In the aftermath, Martin says he believes write-in votes should be included to calculate candidate percentages. He argues that if a person writes in a name on the space provided on the ballot, that person believes they have just voted. Martin says he wants ballot clarity.
Good enough.
One final word on this exercise: I am not tired.
Even after a week chasing a ghost, this newspaper remains committed to listening to readers, using our resources to seek truth. There are things going on behind closed doors people should know about. Sometimes, though, there’s just nothing there.
Why some companies and some people fail
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
In one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, “Outliers,” the premise is that ultimately, everything and everyone regresses to the mean.
In sports, long jumper Bob Beamon is a good example. In the 1968 Olympics he destroyed the existing world record by jumping 29 feet 2 ½” – almost 2 feet more than the existing world record. Beamon’s second longest jump in his career was 27 feet, 4 inches – roughly his mean.
Yes, there are exceptions to the “regress to the mean” rule, but they are few. It is almost like gravity is at work, and no matter how hard someone or something tries to defy it, it never works – because it always works, ultimately.
Business is like that too. Think Intel,
GE, Polaroid – or if we want to go way back, The British East India Company. It was founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth to expand trade for the crown. It ultimately built its own private army and by the mid-18th century acted effectively as a sovereign power – collecting taxes, administering justice and waging war.
However, in 1874, the company was dissolved by the British government because it had become too powerful, too much of a threat and too corrupt. It had its day in the sun but ultimately, it didn’t last. It regressed even past the mean.
Southwest Airlines is a good – but to me, sad – case in point today.
I have been a huge, loyal fan of Southwest Airlines for many years. I recall the day that Gary Kelly (CEO from 2004–2022) announced, at a gathering I attended, the new hub in Atlanta.
“We’ll bring competition; bring down prices; and we’ll introduce you to the Southwest way of flying” – or something along those lines.
Excitement in the air
I think everyone was excited, and many of us welcomed the new upstart airline because we hoped it would give the old guard – Delta – a reason to try a little harder; be a little more customer friendly; and in general, shape up. It did force Delta to work harder on their rates I think, but that’s all it did – but that is another story.
Southwest was different. Bags were free. Check-in was totally different; it worked more like a roundabout than a four-way stop, which was the industry standard at the time – and still is. That is, the Southwest “way” relied on people to do the right thing in terms of check in and seating themselves on their own accord instead of being herded like cattle into paddocks. It gave people standing and respect in a sense. At least that was the way it seemed to me. And I liked that.
More than anything else though, flying Southwest was fun. From the pilots
to the flight attendants, everyone just seemed nice, upbeat, and full of positive energy. When you stepped into that Southwest plane, life lifted a little for everyone, and you were in for a welcome break from the rat race.
So, for the next 20-plus years, I never considered flying on any other airline than Southwest. Then – I want to say around 2022 when Gary Kelly retired – something happened. Granted, a pandemic hit, and granted, Southwest encountered operational failures in their back-end system and near catastrophic plane issues. Nevertheless, Southwest changed; it digressed back toward the mean. They introduced baggage fees. They ended the open seating – the roundabout idea – and started offering premium seating options – basically stratifying the pricing structure and how customers were treated – some better than others.
See FAIL, Page 18
PRESERVING THE PAST
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Flock history
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
I would venture to say that many adults in Georgia remember childhood nursery rhymes or stories about sheep, for example: “Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Baa Baa Black Sheep" or "Little Bo Peep.” We consider sheep to be friendly and sometimes affectionate if not the brightest animals on the farm, and sheep may have a special relationship with their owners who often give them names and love them like pets.
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison raised sheep. Woodrow Wilson kept a flock on the White House lawn during World War I to keep the grass trimmed and to save manpower. Sheep have been raised in Georgia since the 1700s according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Both lamb and wool were important to our early settlers. Inventory data on sheep began in 1867 when there were about 45 million sheep in the United States. The number remained fairly constant until after the Second World War. Among the reasons for the post-war decline were the rise of synthetic fabrics, decline in the consumption of lamb, cheap imports that flooded the U.S. market and urbanization. Currently there are only about 7.5 million sheep in the U.S. and about 10,000 in Georgia.
Today, sheep farming plays a small but significant role in Georgia’s agriculture especially in Middle and South Georgia. In Fulton County, according to the USDA, there were 167 farms on 9,000plus acres in 2022 of which about 3,500 acres were pastureland. This was 14 % fewer farms and 25 % fewer acres devoted to farms than in 2017.
Worldwide there are more than 200
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
During World War 1 President Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith kept a flock of Shropshire sheep on the White House lawn. This avoided the cost of maintenance and freed men for military service. The wool from the sheep was auctioned off to raise money for the Red Cross. The photo was taken in 1919.
sheep breeds but only two types of breeds, hair sheep and wool sheep. The hair-type breeds do not need to be sheared, a significant labor-saving feature. Hair sheep grow a coat of coarse hair that naturally sheds in the spring. They produce meat. Wool-type breeds must be sheared, usually annually. Their fleece is the result of centuries of selective breeding to produce fibers for textiles. Their wool is soft and insulating and contains lanolin, a natural oil. Some breeds have no horns, some have two and some have four.
People sometimes ask if a sheep’s wool will grow forever if the animal is left unshorn. The answer lies with Shrek, a famous sheep in New Zealand who really did not like haircuts. He hid out in a cave for six years before he was found in 2004. When shorn his owner could not tell that he was a sheep according to “Modern Farmer” magazine. When Shrek was
heard.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, because that is how the rest of the world works, but it wasn’t how Southwest became the airline that so many of us loved and patronized.
It’s not like Southwest does a bad job today; they do OK. However, in relative terms, compared to the airline it was before, the one today is simply a pallid imitation – one going through the motions and not really caring all that much – back to the mean.
sheared his fleece weighed 60 pounds, enough wool to make 20 men’s suits. In 2015, a sheep named Chris who was lost and then found in Australia five years later, provided 91pounds of fleece, a world record. An Australian sheep’s annual fleece normally weighs about 11 pounds. While North Fulton is not known for raising sheep, a few people do raise them. Tom and Jane Grady purchased a property in Alpharetta in 1981. It was once owned by Walter Tucker (1909-1984), a farmer and skilled carpenter who bought and cleared the land circa 1940 and built a barn that still stands. He and Jane have several Tunis sheep. “I love taking care of them,” says Tom. “They connect me to my relationship with God. John Chapter 1 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb of God. The 23rd Psalm says the Lord is my shepherd,” Tom notes. “Sheep are very fragile and fearful. They cannot survive without a
– change back.
Holding out hope
shepherd. They follow me when I walk in a field because they know that I am their master.”
Tom breeds his sheep in October using a ram provided by fellow sheep farmer and friend Phil Busman. The ram will stay in Tom’s yard with his two adult and one young female for about a month when his adult females will breed. After five months the two will probably give birth to twins. Within a half hour the newborn lambs will be standing by their mother and nursing.
Phil and Mary Busman have a working farm in Alpharetta which provides fresh grown vegetables to families who support the farm by purchasing harvests in advance. The Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, program they started in 2008 has grown by word of mouth until 73 families now take part. The farm has provided approximately 1300 baskets of food for its customers this year.
Phil gives the credit for CSA’s success to his sheep and to “responsible tillage.” He says, “a healthy ecosystem takes care of itself.” Phil has very few insects in his garden yet does no spraying or mowing because the sheep have kept the soil balanced.
Phil has four ewes, two pure Tunis and two crosses between Cotswold and Tunis plus one ram loaned for the breeding season to friend Tom Grady. Crossbreeding yields strong animals which Phil calls “hybrid vigor.”
Every year Phil sends the sheared wool to MacAusland’s Woolen Mills on Prince Edward Island in Canada to have it made into blankets and yarn.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@ bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
hot quarter-pound all-beef hotdog and a 20-ounce (free refills) soda, $1.50.
“We’re losing money on that food,” said the new CEO.
Fast forward. Southwest now, like all the other airlines, nickels and dimes you to death. It’s all about up charges, making that incremental buck – charges for this, upgrades that. Flight attendants move about their jobs robotically, sullen and drained of any energy or that old Southwest vibe. Seeing a smile on a Southwest employee’s face now seems as rare as a white tiger – and laughter, nowhere to be
I still fly Southwest I will admit. Loyalty to something or some idea often endures and doesn’t fade quickly with a few bumps or occasional turbulence. I still want to smile when I board a Southwest flight. I want Southwest attendants and pilots to still at least act like they are glad to see you and that they find some sort of pride and excitement about their jobs. That is, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt – a pass - with the hopes that something will happen and they will change
There are still some companies out there, however, that have maintained that “Southwest vibe” – companies where the employees treat customers like they do care about them, companies with employees that seem like they enjoy coming to work and take pride in who they are and what they do. Costco.
Some things never change. Continued from Page 17
I am reminded about one company in particular. A new CEO recently was named for the company, but the founder remained at the helm as chairman of the board I believe. One of the first moves the new CEO made was to increase the prices in this company’s trademark food court –their pizza, hotdogs, ice-cream. One giant
“You’ll increase the prices on our food over my dead body,” replied the founder. Some things are far more important than money – like values. Most companies that allow money to become the lowest common dominator – instead of a set of values commonly held, ultimately fail. There is always someone out there willing to sell the product or service cheaper or at a discount. The same concept holds for countries. Not everything in life is a transaction. When the values fade or disappear, when the “why’s” are forgotten, it is just a matter of time until the arrival back to the mean – or lower.
SOLUTIONS
CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 1, 2025, and the City Council will conduct a second reading on Monday, December 8, 2025 to consider the following items during the Alpharetta City Council Meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Alpharetta City Hall, located at 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. All Alpharetta residents and any interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend for public review and comment.
1. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments - Chapter 10, Article XII, Professional Bonds Persons Ordinance
Consideration of an Ordinance proposing modifications to amend requirements for applications for permitting; to provide for renewal applications; to amend regulations regarding the denial or revocation of a permit; to provide for requirements and procedures governing bondsmen; to provide for bond posting and forfeiture; to repeal conflicting ordinances; and for other purposes.
2. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments - Chapter 42, Article II, Insurance License Fees
Consideration of an Ordinance to amend Article II of Chapter 42, titled “Insurance License Fees” of The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia. Specifically, to amend the following: Sec. 42-29. Insurance license Fees; Sec. 42-30. License fees for insurers insuring certain risks at additional business locations; Sec. 4231. Gross premiums tax imposed on life insurers; Sec. 42-32. Gross premiums tax, all other insurers; Sec. 42-33. Due date for license fees; and for other purposes.
3. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments – Chapter 10, Article X, Mobile Food Vendors, and Chapter 10, Article XI, Pawnshops Consideration of an Ordinance proposing modifications to amend provisions regarding licensing requirements and fees; to repeal conflicting ordinances; and for other purposes.
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Sally White
Thom White
Umpika White
Jennifer Wieland
Christine Williams
Jamie Wimberly
Jonathan Winkie
Nancy & Dave Wistrand
Theresa Woolridge
Laura Wysong
Jonathan Young
Computer Professionals for GA based IT Firm: “Sr. System Architect to dsgn, dvlp, enhance, customize & co-ordinate activities to implement advance s/w module components using Dell Boomi. Provide technical dsgn assistance & architectural leadership to ensure applications are integrated & adhere to stated architectural & dsgn principles & standards. Implementation of data foundational procedures, guidelines & standards to improve the efficiency of information processing systems. Travel and/or relocate to various unanticipated worksite loc’ns with frequency dependent on Project and/ or Client requirement throughout the U.S. may be required.” Apply w/2 copies of resume to HR, Sandeza Inc, 13010 Morris Road, Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30004.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLP in Roswell, GA is seeking a SW Developer to dvlp & deploy multiple app dvlpmnt projs, including deployment on complex multi-platform SW systems w/in schedule, cost, & quality reqs. No trvl. WFH avail; must be available to work in the Roswell office three days/week. Salary: $109,283/yr. Send resumes to: careers@mccalla.com
Sawnee EMC is seeking a Mechanic with diesel engine experience to perform mechanical work and related maintenance on company trucks, equipment and vehicles. Requires high school diploma or equivalency. Must have valid CDL Georgia Driver’s License or the ability to acquire a CDL. Requires previous work-related experience. Some Heavy Lifting. Rotating day and night shift schedule. Must be available to work alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, December 1, 2025. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to
HELP WANTED
American Legion Post 201
Part Time Custodian – Needed Saturdays & Sundays start time 6:30 am. General cleaning of building, pick up and discard trash on grounds. Supervise community service workers when available. Must be able to lift 50 lbs., and move around safely and efficiently without aid of mechanical support, accept and sign for deliveries. Approx. 5-7 hours a day.
Part Time Bartender – Flexible schedule afternoon and evening hours, approximately 15-20 hours per week. Previous experience preferred but not necessary. Must be able to qualify for City of Alpharetta Pouring Permit.
If interested in either position please contact DiAna Casale (770) 475-9023 Mon-Thurs 10 am – 2 pm or americanlegionalpharetta@gmail.com. Detail job description for both available upon request.
Front Desk Intake Specialist (Bilingual-Spanish)
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the part-time Front Desk Intake Specialist position. The Front Desk Intake Specialist is responsible for connecting clients to the programs and services that NFCC offers. The role includes data entry, updating clients’ applications, and keeping clients and students informed of programs and service enhancements. As the face of NFCC at the Intake desk, this role requires maintaining a professional and welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s values.
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Spanish are required. Experience using Salesforce or other CRM systems is a plus.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Cemetery Plots
and
GREEN LAWN CEMETERY BURIAL PLOT IN ROSWELL, GA. ONE AVAILABLE IN THE GARDEN OF FOUNTAIN, LOT 79C. $3900. Call 404-626-7739.
Autos Wanted
Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 833-640-4753 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 877- 305-1535
Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
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Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as 1-day. Limited time, waving all installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change & vary by dealer. Ends 12/28/25. 844-501-3208
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595
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SunSetter. America’s number one awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to 10-year limited warranty. Call now and SAVE $350 today! 1-855-914-1148
Old guitars wanted! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Etc. 1930’sto 1980’s. Top dollar paid. Call 866-433-8277
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CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Newspaper
Delivery
Route
Openings with Appen Media Group
We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.
Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.
For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”
The following items will be considered by the City Council on Monday, December 8, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. Z-25-07/CU-25-15/V-25-20 Alpharetta District
Places
Consideration of a rezoning, conditional use, and variances to allow for 60 ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’ condominium units, 60 ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Rent’ units, and approximately 35,000 square feet of retail/restaurant on 3.02 acres in the Downtown. The applicant states that the 60 ‘For-Rent’ units will be converted to ‘For-Sale’ condominium units after 5 years and seeks the ability to convert 25,000 square feet of residential use to office use. A rezoning is requested from C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-C (Downtown Core) and a conditional use is requested to allow ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Rent’. Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 1.4.2 and Subsection 3.2.2 to allow utilities in a required landscape strip, Subsection 3.2.8(D) to reduce the landscape strip along Marietta Street, Subsection 3.2.8(K) to remove trees within the building setback along Marietta Street, Appendix A Subsection 2.3.3(E) to modify the Collector Street Commercial/Mixed-Use streetscape requirements for Marietta Street, Appendix A Subsection 2.4.4 to allow a parking structure to front on an arterial and a collector street without ground-floor active uses, and Appendix A Subsection 3.5.5 to increase the maximum building footprint and increase the maximum building height. The property is located at 0 South Main Street and 131 South Main Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 695, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
