Inside Artsapalooza! Scenes from the annual arts festival COMMUNITY 5
Sandy Springs Reporter www.ReporterNewspapers.net
pages 7-
APRIL 18 — MAY 1, 2014 • VOL. 8 — NO. 8
Voter’s guide
PERIMETER BU S
Let’s have a taste
See candidates running on May 20 COMMENTARY 6
INESS
11
The Hub: Real hotel or a ‘dorm’? BY ANN MARIE QUILL
Face off
annmariequill@reporternewspapers.net
Neighbors of the Hub hotel say it’s a menace, and the city of Sandy Springs says it violates zoning ordinances. But an attorney for the extended-stay hotel says it’s operating within the law. The Hub’s lawyer, William Galloway, says he will appeal to superior court the city’s decision that the property is violating zoning ordinances by operating as a dorm. But Galloway said the hotel’s owners want to work with neighbors and the city to come to a resolution without involving a judge. The Sandy Springs Board of Appeals on April 10 upheld a city staff declaration that the Hub, located at 6096 Barfield Road, is violating zoning ordinances by functioning as dorm housing for Art Institute of Atlanta students. It is not
Library art exhibit captures facial expressions OUT & ABOUT 14
SEE THE HUB, PAGE 19
Standing tall Coaching youth baseball, saving trees, brings her joy
Some high-profile projects moving forward
MAKING A DIFFERENCE 16
Scrub in Cross Keys senior dreams of becoming a surgeon
BY ANN MARIE QUILL
annmariequill@reporternewspapers.net
STANDOUT STUDENT 18
Police blotter
PHIL MOSIER
Find out where crime is happening in your area PUBLIC SAFETY 20
Sloane McMillen, 5, with her mother Jessica, sample homemade jams and jellies from the Fairywood Thicket Farm’s booth, during Opening Day of the Sandy Springs Farmers Market on April 12. The market, in its fifth season, is located at 235 Sandy Springs Circle, in the former Target store parking lot. See another photo on page 22.
Progress on several high-profile Sandy Springs properties is at different stages as developers work to recover from the recent recession. Representatives of some long-stalled projects say they see signs of movement in the market. But not every project is moving ahead quickly. “The Atlanta market is still not at a point of recovery where any developer is comfortable,” said John Heagy, senior vice president for Hines Interests development company in the Southeast, as his company is looking to secure tenants for projects at Northpark. Some developers, however, are restarting their projects. Here’s a look at where several high profile projects now stand: • Kaplan Residential and George S. Morgan development companies recently announced SEE PROGRESS, PAGE 4