City Council Work Session Recap - Feb 15, 2024

The recap includes the key points from the last Council meeting and my thoughts. As always, feel free to ask me any questions, and the full agenda can be found on the City's website: https://www.chambleega.com/city_clerk_s_office/agendas___minutes.php

Public Hearing

4950 Peachtree Blvd. – Tesla requested a variance to install Tesla supercharging stations in Lowe's parking lot. I learned that most North American car companies are adopting the Tesla charger, allowing for more utilization for more than just Tesla owners. The variance from the UDO is for the installation of machinal equipment between the building and the street.

2561 Hildon Circle – The homeowner has requested a variance to expand his Cape Cod-style home to two stories. It's an exciting project as it retains the style of the house while dealing with a zero-lot line and not a tear-down. 

Staff Action Items

Chamblee- Dunwoody Road Intersection Study/Road Diet – This project will remove a lane on Chamblee Dunwoody – making it one lane between New Peachtree Rd and Peachtree Blvd – install roundabouts at the intersections in the same area and install a multi-use path.

Peachtree Blvd Realignment Project- This is a Chamblee Doraville CID-funded project that the City will manage. This item asks for approval for the Mayor to sign the contract so the project can proceed. This project is the first for the CID; they have been a great partner. More info can be found at https://chambleedoravillecid.org/

 5300 Peachtree Road Sidewalk and Landscaping Improvements – This item discusses the approval of the final plans and cost for the project. The trees in front of 5300 Condos destroyed the sidewalk and created a pedestrian risk. The City removed the trees, and this project will replace the trees and fix the sidewalks.

Chamblee Rail Trail 7-12 Task Order – The Rail Trail extension continues downtown. This item requests the approval of the funds and contract to engineer segments 7-12. This section will continue from Peachtree Rd. and Pierce Drive to the Chamblee/Doraville border.

Alcohol Ordinance Amendment – The proposed amendment will allow specialty wine shops to conduct tastings for a fee and to allow a self-pour taproom. These changes would only pertain to the Downtown Entertainment District.  

DDA/City Maintenance Agreement – Staff requested the authorization of an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGA) between the City and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for property maintenance for a fee. More info on the DDA can be found here: https://www.chambleega.com/economic_development/downtown_development_authority.php.

Advanced Voting Location IGA – This request would allow the Mayor to sign an IGA with DeKalb County to use the former City Hall for early voting for the 24 Presidential primary.

Dresden Park Contract Award – The contract, once signed, will allow Integrated Construction and Nobility Inc. to start work on Dresden Park. They were the lowest bid by a significant margin, and ARPA money will fund the project. The new plans on the City website include a dog park, tennis courts, a mini pitch, a concession/canopy building, terraces, and a playground.

Mayor's Monarch Pledge Resolution – Staff asked the Council to approve continuing to be a part of this great program.

3207 Parkridge Crescent Stream Buffer Variance – The resident at this property has asked to pipe the creek in their backyard for safety reasons.

Mayor and Council Items 

Councilmember Mesa: Kovel Ukraine Book Drive Shipment – A good problem to have. We received more books during our book drive for our sister city than we had funds. Councilman Mesa asked staff to find a solution to send the books. We currently don't have money appropriated to ship the books.