Sandy Springs Reporter

Page 1

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DECEMBER 2020 • VOL. 14 — NO. 12

Sandy Springs Reporter

BY THE NUMBERS

Mapping Biden’s win in local communities P11

More green space, shorter buildings added to North End concepts BY BOB PEPALIS

with many of the suggestions participants in the first round of Civic Dinners made to increase inclusion and diversity in the city. The city sponsored 44 Civic Dinners with 341 attendees in July and August, using a virtual platform and questions provided by a private company called Civic Dinners. Participants discussed what they saw as the city’s strengths and weaknesses in belong-

Consultants and city staff will present City Council on Dec. 15 with final concepts for redevelopment of four shopping centers in the city’s North End. On Nov. 5, consultants released the final concepts and posted them online at spr.gs/ northern. The concepts added green space and reduced building heights in some concepts to reflect public comment on their initial ideas. “We’ve added more green space in particular on North River Village and North Springs,” said Sarah McColley of TSW, consultants in land use, zoning, urban design and outreach. The North End revitalization project kicked off in March with 200 community members participating in a public meeting. A virtual pop-up meeting had 162 participants. In August and September city staff and consultants presented multiple concepts for each of the four shopping centers that varied from following all zoning requirements to more extensive rezoning and building code changes to achieve. The community participated in virtual meetings for each shopping center and added comments through interactive websites. After the council meeting, the final plan document will be completed by Dec. 31. McColley said the consultants learned that the community wants a mix of housing options. Overall feedback themes included: ●Need for a mix of housing options that are attainable at many price points, including single-family homes and different

See TWO on page 16

See NORTH on page 22

Holiday Events P5 ROBIN’S NEST

A thankful farewell to readers P13

SPECIAL

One of the concepts for redeveloping North River Village shopping center proposes taller mixed-use buildings whose density helps make creating green space plaza areas possible.

WORTH KNOWING

CAC leader’s legacy of helping others

Two councilmembers call for improving diversity in city programs, leadership BY BOB PEPALIS

P20

The Sandy Springs Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIPs 30327, 30328, 30342 and 30350 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net

After a first round of community racial dialogue meetings, two City Council members say they are ready to back culturally diverse programming and to help recruit elected officials who better match the city’s ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. In separate interviews, Councilmembers Andy Bauman and Chris Burnett agreed PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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Focus on the Present

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