Meeting Minutes
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - August 21st, 2019
Report from Zone 6 Officer
Please secure vehicles and turn vehicles off! Remove all items, not just valuables.
ATL 311 is a good way to report potholes and other street issues
Scooters - the city is working on new rules in light of recent accidents.
Update from Jay Tribbey, Amir Farokhi’s chief of staff
Amir introduced legislation to support compostable silverware at all city venues
A resident asked about RenewAtlanta work and new signs on BlueRidge about construction
Contract has been bid out and should start in the near future
Sidewalk repair, ADA ramps, restriping - Blue Ridge, Seminole, etc..
Land Use Items - presented by Lisa Malaney, Chair of Land Use and Planning committee
Poncey Highland Cafe - 640 Highland Cafe
Requesting liquor license to support the cafe’s dinner program
Menus were shared with cocktail program and shareable platters
Hours will be open to 10 or so during the week and midnight on the weekend.
Motion to approve liquor license approved 36-0, 0 abstentions.
Fundraising/Membership Committee
Tanya Hamburger and Keith Pepper have volunteered to help lead this effort.
Next year we are looking to celebrate 100 years of Poncey Highland as a neighborhood
and to get neighbors engaged
Working on planning 4 tentpole events - examples might include membership drive, tour
of homes, Lantern Parade, restaurant week
More information to come!
Poncey-Highland Master Plan Working Group Update
Lisa went over the history of the neighborhood which starts in the late 1800s - much of
this timeline is on the updated website at https://www.ponceyhighland.org/our-history
One of the working group members went over the detailed neighborhood inventory that
was done by the working group in a series of 6 meetings (3-4 hrs each) and a walking survey
No “pure” style buildings but the neighborhood has bungalows and other older buildings from the 1920s
Multifamily buildings that look like detached houses in addition to traditional multifamily buildings like Morningside
Working group recommendations
Based on 2 months of reviewing the 2010 master plan, walking survey, and
discussions with consultant and city officials
The 2010 master plan mostly got things right in terms of recommendations for
growth and development in the neighborhood
The committee recommends that the neighborhood partner with the city to
explore a regulatory tool build on the concept of historic districts with custom zoning based on geographic subareas
For example, residential at the Beltline or near Ralph McGill may differ from the core neighborhood subarea east of Freedom Parkway.
Next steps
Beth McDonald and Doug Young from Atlanta’s Urban Design Commission
discussed the current Historic Preservation Ordinance and the process that would involve community outreach and input through meetings scheduled and posted on ponceyhighland.org.
Doug and Beth McDonald answered questions from neighborhood members about this effort.
Upcoming Dates
Poncey Highland community meeting September 5th at Church at Ponce and
Highland; future meetings posted on the PHNA website.
Peachy Clean scheduled for October 12th
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - July 17th, 2019
Report from Zone 6 Officer, Sgt. Jones
ATL+ is enforcing parking restrictions in some private and “No parking” zones with
increased retail like behind Briarcliff Plaza. They interact with ATL Police often.
Reminder tips for larceny especially from autos
Remember to keep your car clean! Especially be careful leaving about leaving large items like suitcases visible.
Don’t let anyone you don’t know use your phone!
You can make a complaint against an officer at the City of Atlanta if you are dissatisfied
with service or interactions with them.
Attendee Q: Are there laws about permanent trash cans in certain neighborhood
locations?
APD can see if a compliance officer can check into this.
Q: What’s the status of scooter enforcement?
It should be enforced but there’s a learning/enforcement curve..
Beth McDonald - Presentation of Land Use Items
Scott Wilkins, Bazati
Request for liquor license modification to add a wine specialty shop separate from wines sold in the restaurant
Supplements larger Beltine-facing space with other shops for customers while they wait for restaurants.
Motion to approve change in liquor license approved 9-0, 0 abstentions.
Carey Falcone - New Realm brewery
Request for liquor license modification for microdistillery on-site
New Realm can only serve alcohol brewed on site because they are a brewery,
not a brewpub (like Wrecking Bar)
Looking to distill vodka, gin, and whiskey on a small scale starting around
September
■ No bottle sales or shots
100 square feet or so within existing space; no increase in infrastructure
Motion to approve change in liquor license approved 9-0, 0 abstentions.
● Q&A about parking for New Realm from attendee
○ From valet info: 25% park, 75% seem to get there without parking
Kayt from PCM Farmer’s Market
Shared some vouchers with attendees and that the market is 4-8 PM on Tuesdays.
Lots of events upcoming - you can sign up for the newsletter at cfmatl.org/poncecity
kayt@cfmatl.org - You can email with questions or comments
from Zone 6 Officer, Sgt. Jones
Upcoming Important Dates
July 31st - Planned Meeting Date for Working Group on Neighborhood Planning (later
rescheduled to August neighborhood meeting)
October 12 - Peachy Clean Poncey
Miscellaneous business
● Attendees expressed a renewed interest in neighborhood t-shirts and other items
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - May 15th, 2019
Report from Zone 6 Officer
Major Vasquez, our new Zone 6 liaison, will be at the next meeting; Captain Antonio Clay attended this meeting..
Bike thefts are up; please lock your bike
Reminder on the clean car campaign
Scooter usage flyers were made available for attendees
Land use items from Lisa Malaney, head of Land Use and Planning committee
Southern Belle and Georgia Boy - request for liquor license
Unanimous vote for approval (28 votes), 0 opposed, 0 abstained
Cory and Malory Atkinson - Atlanta Spirits Retail doing business as Elemental Spirits
Looking to put a package store in the vein of VinoTeca in Inman Park in the space next to Manuels
○ Requesting an exemption to the rule for being 600 feet from single family homes.
○ Space is limited to 1900 square feet
○ Q&A from audience regarding parking and related topics
○ Nonbinding vote of support from attendees passed - 24 in favor, 1 abstention
Samara Minkin - Manager of Public Art
Renew Atlanta Public Art Program is starting to place art across Atlanta in public spaces
Atlanta has a lot of small and local art but no large-scale artwork.
Jaume Plensa sculpture will come to Poncey Highland; working with Freedom Park Conservancy and Trees Atlanta to place the piece at Freedom Parkway and N. Highland (near Babette’s).
Will be doing some hard landscaping and will remove two trees. Will have some seating around it. Construction should start in late summer.
Beth McDonald - Master Plan Working Group Update
Working group for addressing master plan and zoning issues - 30 people applied, 10 people were selected from across the neighborhood/groups
○ Other interested applicants will be asked to participate with future focus groups
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - April 24th, 2019
Report from Zone 6 Officer
Current major for Zone 6 is transferring.
Be aware of people asking to use your phone and then accessing your cash apps. Do not allow other people to use your phone.
Another common scam is people calling and asking you to purchase gift cards.
With warm weather, people are looking for opportunities to break into cars. Do not leave items visible in your car.'
Land use item from Lisa Malaney, head of Land Use committee
Lisa introduced special use permit application U19008 from Atlanta Dental Spa to add paid parking to their site during non-business hours (8 spots).
Tim from Park Place presented on behalf of business.
Floor was opened for Q&A.
Enforcement will be via application—checking license plate numbers against cars and ticketing infractions.
Land Use and Board voted unanimously to support application.
● Lisa made a motion to vote on issue.
Motion passed 48 to 3
. Trees Atlanta report from Greg Levine
Planning commission has been working on urban ecology framework.
Trees Atlanta has received reports on concerns about tree loss in nearby
neighborhoods, including Virginia-Highland, as single-family homes are removed to put in larger homes. Have not yet seen this as a widespread problem in Poncey-Highland.
80 trees over 10 inches have come down from Poncey-Highland in last 5 years due to construction, storms, permitted and non-permitted pruning, etc.
City hopes to have draft of tree ordinance by August.
Three points that nonprofits are backing: Plant more trees, buy more forested land, change ordinance to protect more trees.
Greg encourages neighbors to get involved with protecting tree canopy. Has a form people can sign to support three points.
Floor was opened for Q&A.
Poncey Highland Master Plan Report and Update
Jim M. recapped history of 2010 Poncey Highland Master Plan and progress to date.
Keyetta Holmes and Doug Young from City of Atlanta’s Office of City Planning discussed
their goal of managing the look and feel of neighborhoods alongside zoning.
Hope to kick off zoning code rewrites this summer. Will be a three-year process from start to adoption by City Council.
Poncey-Highland board is looking to review the Master Plan and figure out next steps.
Vision has not changed, but tools available to carry out the plan have changed.
● Association would like to create a working group to review the Master Plan and
how to codify land use and design elements.
● Working group will focus on previous efforts and options in May and June and
have ongoing conversations afterward.
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - March 20th, 2019
Discussion with Capt. Antonio Clay and Lt. Bighon related to safety issues for Zone 6
● Please remember to keep a clean car!
● Moreland areas near Trader Joe’s and Home Depot are now Zone 6 beats
Email zone6cid@atlanta.ga.gov if you have issues you want to communicate to APD
Application by Gino’s to do live comedy
Application would allow Gino’s East to host live comedy on Wednesdays-Sundays 8-10 PM
Requesting an amendment to their liquor license to allow for live entertainment for
comedy in the restaurant
No plans to change the hours or affect others eating at the restaurant for to-go, bar
seating, or path
Vote passed: 14 in favor, 0 against
North Avenue Complete Street
● Residents gave feedback at March 7th TSPLOST meeting
● North Avenue has been approved for the design phase of the project but not the full
construction; this makes the project “shovel-ready” when funds become available
● Board and residents are engaged and working with Amir to help push this effort
Bonaventure-Somerset district has been finally approved by the city
Notices going out to residents of these streets.
TEDx Poncey-Highland
● Ali Punjani spoke about the new TEDx-Poncey Highland event and platform
● See the website at https://tedxponceyhighland.org/ for tickets and more information
Freedom Park
● Please email PHNA with suggestions for small improvements Freedom Park
Conservancy can undertake such as more trashcans, small artwork, plantings, events
PHNA Outreach and Volunteering
PHNA will be updating their database of residents and reaching out for new opportunities with committees for fundraising, events, park conservancy, and land use
Upcoming Events
● Church at Ponce and Highland - April 6th yard sale
○ http://www.churchatponceandhighland.org/
● Atlanta Film Festival - April 4th-14th
https://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/
Events at the Plaza, church, and on the Beltline
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - February 20th, 2019
Discussion with Capt. Antonio Clay and Lt. Bighorn related to safety issues for Zone 6
Amir Farokhi, our city council member for District 2 took questions related to Poncey Highland and resident concerns
● Discussed TSPLOST funding reallocation due to tax collection shortfalls
● Topics included scooters, street repairs and sidewalk/road safety issues, Google Fiber alternatives
● Amir discussed legislative initiatives he plans to support including pay increases for police officers, participatory budgeting trials (allowing residents to vote on how some tax dollars are spent), and using opportunity zones to encourage affordable housing.
● Residents were encouraged to email city council members to support causes they believe in, with the booting ban being given as an example. Emails are used as an indicator of resident interest/support for initiatives.
Presentation from Jenna, Stephanie, Mercedes on the Beltline Farmer’s Market starting up for the year on April 9th.
Historic District updates
NPU approved the designation. ZRB voted the week before the meeting and it was approved unanimously. Goes to the Mayor’s office next.
● Discussion of whether residents want to explore historic district for other parts of the neighborhood and what that would mean.
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - January 16th, 2019
Report from Zone 6 Officer
Officers will be out in force for the Superbowl
Can report additional information for police statements or share photos using their email zone6cid@atlantaga.gov.
● Bonaventure is closing due to a Superbowl event; PHNA will check on timing
Officers can come out for driveways being blocked if the car is blocking exit from the driveway
Reminder that residents can call 911 for non-emergency events and state that it is a non-emergency call to have a Zone 6 officer come out.
Report from District 2 Chief of Staff for Amir Farookhi, Jay Tribby
Freedom Park Conservancy has a new executive director and they are convening a meeting of agencies to address homeless encampments in the park
Residents can report via 911, police make initial contact with camps, HOPE Atlanta then gets involved, and campers can eventually be removed by APD working with other agencies
Park workers are also looking at addressing cutting underbrush more regularly
Amir is on 3 committees this year - zoning, transportation, committee on council
Two upcoming meetings of interest to neighbors - Beltline Area 5 meeting for master
plan (Jan. 17th) and TSPLOST meetings at Grady High School (Jan. 30th)
New scooter regulations have gone into effect but may take some time to implement; allow for regulation of where and how many scooters can be placed
Henry from Blue Ridge proposed a working group to investigate new fiber internet options from Yomura Fiber
Please contact Henry if you’re interested and want to be involved.
Bonaventure-Somerset historic district plan presentation and vote
Doug Young from the ATL Department of City Planning presented an overview of the Bonaventure-Somerset historic district plan
Last week (1/9/19)the land use committee and board both separately approved the planned historic district unanimously.
Discussion followed with a question and answer period
Vote for PHNA to recommend a historic district for Bonaventure and Somerset to the
NPU was called
Vote passed 91-26
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Notes - August 8th, 2018
Lt D. Crowder, APD zone 6 night captain
Auto theft issues - reminder about clean car campaign
Bike theft: Use a bike lock to secure your bike
Package and mail theft: Get to know your neighbors so they can receive and hold your packages
Major Klotzer is open to calls. Can also ask for Crowder, 2p-10p
Can also email: Djcrowder@atlga.gov
Jay Tribby, District 2 update
- Mayor has inherited a lot to deal with from ransomware attack and previous administration
Budget is finalized. Very collaborative with council.
$661 mm general budget. Increase from next year.
Sworn police officers and fire fighters given a raise.
- Parks and rec got an additional $2 mm in funding.
Somerset and other streets - issue in delays in picking up yard trimmings - they’re operating at 50% equipment and supply situation right now due to old and broken down trucks. New city budget anticipates getting back to where they were with trucks and hiring new solid waste workers. If you get to that two week point and have made a few 311 calls, don’t hesitate to let Jay and Amir know — they can call and email folks from there. By end of summer or early fall should be addressed. Thank you for your patience. Email or call the office. 404-330-6638?
Mayor Franklin had pothole posse. Mayor Bottoms is reinstating that. Will also address dumped tires, furniture, etc.
Amir was able to get mayor and colleagues to double city arts budget from $1 mm to $2 mm. It’s a competitive process that helps artists and art organizations get partial funding for projects. - On Thursday June 28 the city is sponsoring three open houses to finalize Monroe/boulevard complete street program. New crosswalks, medians, pedestrian activations, etc. 6:30-8:30 simultaneous open houses. One meeting will be at Grady. Core of District 2 (Ponce to Dekalb) will be held at new MLK center in Hilliard. Third is further south and you can find location online. This is your opportunity to weigh in.
North Highland land use application - parking lot by Manuel’s.
- Jim McMahel explains land use process to members. PHNA is tasked with helping the applicant bringing best application possible, but it’s really NPU and the City who makes the decisions.
Adam from Selig: selig purchased property in January 2016. Previously Green St owned and rezoned to apartments. Selig is doing townhomes.
- How many parking spaces did you add? 6.
There are 3 stories above grade with exception of back row. Back row is 2-story in back and in drive it’s 3 stories plus an unconditioned covered rooftop patio across whole roof.
- Putting a retaining wall in at Freedom Park side. Trying to create as fast of a yard as possible. Will not be at grade with the park — around 6 feet elevation difference.
Will there be access to the park? Sidewalk improvements? There will be something in corner when they hardscape architect is brought in. On previous plan there was a bridge with access. Here we have yard with retaining wall so we don’t feel it’s necessary. City has also kind of kicked the can on park access.
- Where is existing fence line? (Adam shows it runs along yard and back of parking area).
So it’s 5-6’ in from the existing fence? (Adam shows and explains where trees are and plans)
Currently you’ve shrunk the yards to accommodate landscaping, right? Yes.
What do you plan to do to address parking? Initially it was all retail at street frontage plus 75 units. They didn’t have enough parking in the deck. Townhomes have 2-car garages so we’re covered. Manuel’s owns 154 spaces. Code requires 86. We will have roughly 90-100 spaces when we’re finished and it will be strictly retail.
So for now does parking deck plan behind Manuel’s go away? Yes. And we’re looking at restriping current lot. We would have to go back through city and repermit/rezone.
Is there going to be a gate around community? I don’t think so. We didn’t feel like a gated community would fit in the fabric of the neighborhood.
Dumpsters or trashcans? Looking at trashcans. Where picked up? Wheeled out along Williams Mill, or city/waste management come pick up in driveways.
Will yards be fenced in with white brick? Yes. We added that later on.
Proposal is not to reclaim alley. With it on current property line and neighbors line, that’s where setbacks start.
Sidewalks and bike paths? 6’ sidewalk with 5’ planting area to city midtown standards planned. Shifting curb line a little. About 33’ wide to north highland to about 26’.
12’ wide alley. Old pins in alley from old survey.
When is NPU and BZA? NPU is next Thursday at 7p.
Motion presented and seconded to approve request.
25 in favor. 1 opposed. 0 abstentions. (27 residents present).
Renew Atlanta
- Jay explains Renew Atlanta process. $400k+ for each neighborhood. Kwanza.
Beth explains PHNA’s involvement. Complete streets is coming down North Ave, so we stayed away from those projects.
Whatever money we saved from the changes we put back into more improvements.
About 10 areas with sidewalk improvements and ADA. Changes will be ADA compliant.
Somerset - no tree damage or removal for improvements. Floating sidewalk over tree roots.
Barnett - street paving would have been $280k. We did fix sidewalks there.
Linwood and Ponce - striping and turtleheads. No parking.
Blue ridge: No parking and marked bulbouts and signage that there’s a stop ahead.
- Inappropriate tree planting’s near Publix - Trees are dying. They will be replaced.
- Sidewalks along that area - Blue ridge and north highland - we won’t touch because
complete streets is going to work on that and retaining wall might collapse.
Seminole - relief there at intersection with blue ridge. Issues with storm drains not being there. Curb and drainage is too cost prohibitive. Requires milling. We were not able to get the project there at the time so we will leave that project for later. We won’t be able to improve that intersection, even painting crosswalk because it’s not ADA compliant. But we’re going to get on that list of roads to be fixed.
- Sidewalks all the way to north and Moreland - improvements.
- Gateways into park - too costly. But we do have ramps on the list and potential for
gateway markers.
- Connectivity from poncey-highland into carter center - tried to get bus stops moved but we really going to get with carter center on that.
- To save money bidding out as one project. Work will start fall 2018 or early 2019.
- Is there money to add ramp in freedom park where there are steps? No but we’re working on ramp at crosswalk. Steps also have to be Ada compliant and add rail.
- How do we get sidewalk like Cleburne? These will likely be brushed concrete. If it’s hex they replace it with hex. If they touch sidewalk they have to make it all Ada compliant.
We stamp some concrete to make it look like hex. It will be looking great!
- North Highland where there are tree roots - how to address? We have what we call a bridge - gravel and stones and an impervious layer over it before concrete. Goal is to protect trees and work around them.
PHNA Neighborhood Meeting Minutes - July 8th, 2019
Lt. Crowder - Update - Crime is down! Issue of package theft in Zone 6.
Application for liquor license for Gino’s East of Chicago Pizza (going in old Rize Pizza space) at 675 North Highland.
Presenting for Gino’s: Mindy with Sard and Leff attorneys; Steve Sharples (licensee).
Hours: 11a-12a. Sun through Thur likely until 9 or 10p. License is later for special events.
Patio as well that’s dog friendly.
Manager will be there full time.
Will offer vegan and gluten free pizzas.
Full liquor license.
Planned opening late August early Sep.
Will redesign interior space.
Staff parking - spaces allotted for manager and employees. Encouraging staff to use garage, and to use side street when garage is not available, only. Model in Chicago is that most employees travel by transit.
Ywo hour validation at host station.
Jim McMahel motion to support.
Mark Brodbeck second to motion.
18 for. 0 opposed. 0 abstained.
Mark Brodbeck - Information about PHNA Poncey Pickup and Planting. Will be held Saturday, October 6. Starts around 9a. Around 3 hour pickup then meet for beverages afterward. Captain for each of 9 regions. There will also be a planting! Email ponceyhighlandna@gmail.com to sign up to volunteer.
Beth McDonald (also on FPC board) - Freedom Park Conservancy has just hired their first executive director. Largest part of Freedom Park is in Poncey-Highland, and Freedom Park is larger than Piedmont Park. The goal now is to figure out how PHNA and Freedom Park Conservancy can work together. Director Lauren H asked to share than there are several capital campaigns, including Rosalyn’s Butterfly Trail for monarch butterflies, as well as Park Pride and Trees Atlanta initiatives. Last Saturday of every month anyone can meet with Lauren. This month is at Condesa Coffee. Sign up for their email list on their website.
Beth - Introducing Malory Atkinson, our new board member. Malory lives in Highland School Lofts and is on their homeowner association. Malory is our new Outreach Chair.
Beth - Garbage collection - Old equipment has gone out of service and new equipment is coming in. Schedules may be adjusted over that time. The City is still working through getting yard trimmings picked up and correcting the schedule.
Beth - Bonaventure - new parking curb-outs - The City is working on changing these to work better.
Neighbor: Back wall of parking lot for Plaza Center - being tagged.
Who to contact? Call or email Asana property owners to have it repainted. Some neighbors have also been in touch with Publix to see about help with graffiti and other issues.
Mark: What to do about large amount of furniture/waste on the street? The City does bulk pickup once a month. Call 311 or visit ATL311 website to share the issue.
Beth: Renew Atlanta is bidding PH projects. Expected start date on sidewalk repairs is early 2019.
Kathy Hutcherson: What’s happening with the razed house by Manuel’s? It will be leveled and used as parking for Manuel’s. Townhouses go behind the big parking lot (backs up to park).
PHNA General Membership Meeting - 4/18/2018
(Approx 23 people in attendance)
Poncey-Highland Tour of Homes & Hangouts
Come hear the latest updates and details on the homes on the tour, learn how you can help and how to be the first to get your hands on the 2018 Poncey-Highland t-shirt
General plan provided as an update for the event on 5/12/2018
Poster shown
Poncey-Highland Master Plan
Open conversation on the Poncey-Highland Master Plan and possible future historic preservation
A master plan covers a number of high level questions
How high can developers build?
How dense should areas be in the future?
Where should single family homes be, vs duplexes, vs commercial properties?
How should we handle traffic volume concerns and attempts to optimize gong
forward?
Etc
There have been questions around “Should we update the master plan?”
There has been a new building created next to Church on Ponce & Highland. That’s
been built. Do we need to update the master plan to note that update?
Do we need to consider a neighborhood historic preservation designation given the
recent development trends in the ATL central area?
How do we include the Renew Atlanta Smart Streets and Complete Streets within the
overall plan?
• Complete streets = revised cross walk markings, bike lands, pedestrian hawkcrossings, side walks, street paving, traffic calming, road diet, shared real estate for
cars & bikes, etc
• Smart streets = intelligent sensors and other elements to enable betterDo we want to control aesthetic elements of our neighborhood going forward?
The only way to do this is with a historic zoning overlay (eg. Inman Park, Virginia Highlands which impacts single family homes but not necessarily all types of zones)
Then a separate step would be a master plan review. They are not the same thing.
Neighborhoods that have these types of historic district designations have limitations
on facade visible from the front of the home, etc. But it doesn’t control size, interior
aesthetics, etc.
• Do we want to do a survey & related to pursuing a historic district designation?
• A majority of the attendees raised their hands (approximately 25 people in attendance)
PHNA Annual Budget
Review of the approved 2018 PHNA annual budget. Expected contributions and spending in all its glory!
2017 Operating Checking Account Current $10,062
2018 Income projected $19,700
2018 Expenses projected $16,500
2018 Overall net income $3,200
Police Update
Recovering from city-wide computer hacking attack - responses to
Please destroy sensitive material in trash
As weather improves we will continue to see more incidents
Package thefts and stolen bicycles are a common issue
Social media craze currently happening where people they are shooting paintball guns out of moving vehicles and hitting not only each other and innocent bystanders.
Please report as you see it with descriptions, tag info, etc.
Please be careful as they are sometimes also armed with real weapons.
Some minor graffiti issues with gang tags noticed in zone 6. They are monitoring the
situation.