OCT. 28 - NOV. 10, 2016 • VOL. 10 — NO. 22
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Perimeter Business ► Filmmaking frenzy hits northern arc PAGE 4 ► Buyers line up for farms, sport estates PAGE 6
Singing and swinging at Heards Ferry
Northside Hospital expansion approved with traffic fixes BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
The Heards Ferry Elementary School Chorus delivers a “Best of Broadway” performance, with music instructor Anna Trude conducting, as part of the school’s Oct. 22 Harvest Festival. On inset photo, from left, friends Katherine Billian and Charlotte Skinner take in a ride at the festival. Both girls are in the fifth grade at Heards Ferry.
STANDOUT STUDENT Andi Rozelle
Holy Spirit Preparatory School, senior
Our system is so decentralized in the United States... it is the most improbable country in the world to attempt rigging an election. Rigging talk is irresponsible and ignorant in those terms. Richard Barron
Fulton County Elections Director
Page 20
See COMMENTARY page 10
PHIL MOSIER
Northside Hospital’s major expansion plan and a long-sought package of trafficmitigation agreements were approved by Sandy Springs City Council on Oct. 18. The city considers the traffic agreements — including collaborative planning among three local hospitals — a pilot program for other major Perimeter Center employers. Northside plans to begin work almost immediately on its 8-story bed tower and 10-story employee parking garage, with opening planned for October 2017. “I think it’s time for the community to declare victory and go home,” said City Councilmember Andy Bauman, adding to hospital officials, “We’ll take it out on you if you come back for more and don’t follow through on this.” “Both sides get to declare victory here,” responded hospital attorney Edward Lindsey. “Everybody wins with this plan. And you See NORTHSIDE on page 14
OUT & ABOUT Impact fee hike MJCCA Book Festival could mean Nov. 5-20 Page 17 $300 million
for city projects
BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
New impact fees on real estate developments approved Oct. 18 by the City Council are among the highest in northern metro Atlanta. The city says the fees could raise more than $300 million by 2040 for parks, transportation and public safety, but an organization of developers warns they could inhibit the city’s economic growth. The new residential fees were boosted more than 300 to 500 percent, to up to $6,854 See IMPACT on page 15