Opening Comments - Myron Polster
The tree that several community members made an effort to save at the new fire station site is unfortunately hollow inside, so is not viable to save.
BOND Community Federal Credit Union - Pesh Patel
Patel informed gathering that as of May 2007 East Atlantans are eligible for membership in BOND CFCU, headquartered in Little Five Points. He noted that in addition to being member-owned, credit unions are non-profit and can offer low rates at no cost to community members. Stop by the Five Points branch or visit http://www.bondcu.com for more information.
City of Atlanta Police Report Sergeant Schierbaum
Crime increased in July in four categories: Commercial burglary, Theft from autos, Larcenies from autos, and Theft from homes (and outbuildings behind houses). The Sergeant encouraged residents to write down all serial #s, makes and models of your property (tools and lawnmowers as well as computers, TVs, stereos, etc) so that if you ever are robbed, you can identify and regain your property and positively connect perpetrators to their crimes in the process.
Arrests: The EAV SunTrust was robbed twice, and the perpetrator was arrested immediately after the second robbery. Zone 6 has arrested a person they feel is responsible for many of the outbuilding burglaries. No arrests yet in the designer jean boutique robberies around Atlanta.
In response to questions from residents about how to get more officers on the street, the Sergeant urged people to contact their city councilpersons to demand better coverage, and to email Mayor Shirley Franklin (mayorfranklinatlantaga.gov) to ask why she has not increased the actual number of beat officers despite the fact that the budget has approved additional officers.
Dekalb Police Report - Mrs. ORear:
Mrs. ORear and Captain Williams are in process of helping interested residents set up a Neighborhood Watch in the South precinct (precinct headquarters are 1816 Candler Road). They are soliciting volunteer coordinators to set up the watch programs and will be organizing a Saturday meeting on the subject soon. Email Publicsafetyeaca.net to get on the list to be notified or read the weekly EACA newsletter for more.
Residents are encouraged to call (404) 286-7911 to request more coverage in unincorporated Dekalb.
Joel Finegold, President of the Eastland Skyhaven Community Association reported that they currently meet the 2nd Thursday each month at Branan Towers. He invited any unincorporated Dekalb residents to attend these meetings and commit to strong neighborhood watch efforts.
Call for Participants State House Representative Robin Shipp
Shipp has been appointed to a bipartisan House Leadership group of freshman representatives. They will be conducting a Symposium on watershed management (current and future), and are inviting interested community members to participate. The event will be held on Thursday, September 6 from 6-8 at Vino Libre (refreshments will be served). Send your email address to Myron (presidenteaca.net) and Shipp will send you all the details.
Fire Station Update - Brownwyn Morgan
The Department of Cultural Affairs has conducted a national search for artwork for the new fire station (under the 1% for art budget). A local artist has been chosen and her art can be previewed at the next EACA meeting.
Miscellaneous Myron Polster
July minutes approved by unanimous voice vote.
Request from Henry Bryant for an EACA donation to B*ATL (mistakenly left out of the EACA budget). $200 proposed. Motion approved 21-0.
Playground Fundraising Report - Coach Jackson, Burgess Peterson Academy
The recent benefit concert at the Earl raised over $1,800 for the playground.
Jackson invited everyone to visit the school, get involved in playground fundraising efforts, and to consider donating or making an in-kind donation to the cause.
Special Reports
Land Use and Zoning - Andy Schneggenburger
2040 Braeburn Circle: Special Land Use permit put forth by property owner (Citizens and Merchants Bank) who wants to sell property to a church. Davina Swinson and Steve Walburn, employees of the bank, explained the property has been used since the late 1800s as church property and now consists of a church building and a school building (constructed in the 50s). The 1.3 tract is currently zoned R75, but had been grandfathered to allow church use. Inner Sanctum was last owner, but as site has been vacant for over 6 months, grandfathered status was lost. The special use permit would allow a church to also run a daycare or school from the site, which the Bank says is not the potential buyers intention, but which concerned neighbors, who gathered w/Bank staff after the EACA meeting to arrange a separate meeting to discuss further.
Schneggenburger reported that meetings will be held in early September for neighbors and interested residents about the proposed rezoning of the Bouldercrest Triangle (Flat Shoals/Bouldercrest area) from C-1 to NC (Neighborhood Commercial) in attempt to promote pedestrian friendly retail, small business and mixed-use development. The rezoning request is almost ready to submit to city; they are working on buy-in from current business owners and will be circulating a petition to nearby residents. Email Schneggenburger at landuseeaca.net to be on list for meeting dates.
Shadowridge Development: There is a potential rezoning application for 770 Shadowridge (between Shadowridge and Ormewood) on the horizon. The developers are pulling together final plans and may submit next monthstay tuned for more information.
Public Safety Ed Gilgor
The Midway, a new restaurant/bar opening in East Atlanta Village submitted an application for a liquor license, which was approved by unanimous voice vote.
There will soon be enhanced enforcement of parking violations in the East Atlanta Village.
Gilgor is working on trying to get more police in our area. He is also working to establish a better process for following up on area arrests so that habitual offenders are sentenced appropriately.
