BCN Members Version – PDF (login required).
I. Welcome & Introductions
Jim King called the meeting to order at about 6:35 PM.
II. Approval of Minutes
Minutes for the May and June meetings were not approved due to the lack of a quorum.
III. Admit New Member Neighborhoods
No neighborhoods asked to be admitted to BCN.
IV. Guest Speaker – Deputy Commissioner Margaret Tanner, Watershed Protection, Atlanta Watershed Management
Margaret Tanner is a professional engineer who runs the city’s Office of Watershed Protection. Her email address is mtanner@AtlantaGA.gov, and the Watershed Management web site is at www.AtlantaWatershed.org. Watershed Protection deals with the watersheds, the runoff that comes from those watersheds, the health of streams, and the health of the ecosystem. This includes stormwater, which has a big impact on the city. See Margaret’s presentation at http://tinyurl.com/WPBCN.
This has been a particularly rainy year, with rain so far this year is at double normal levels. What can the city do about rainfall? Bigger pipes? No, that just makes the problem worse, causing more erosion with streams being deepened and widened. Instead, they want to restore what they can and make it more natural.
However, development leads to impervious surfaces. Surfaces are paved and covered with buildings. Soil becomes compacted by heavy equipment used in construction and will not absorb water like it once did. Some parts of the city are now 90% impervious. The consequence of development is increased erosion and pollution. Stream flow becomes more irregular, with reduced “base flow”, affecting the ability of fish to survive. Watershed Protection advocates “Green Infrastructure” to address the problems resulting from development. The idea is to slow water flow down and get the water to soak into the soil.
This web page has links to many relevant documents: www.atlantawatershed.org/greeninfrastructure/. In particular, see “Green Infrastructure for Single Family Residences” at http://tinyurl.com/WPBCN2. New FEMA flood maps are available for the City of Atlanta. See page 36 of 38 from her presentation. Margaret also provided a handout of the new FEMA flood map for Buckhead. See Buckhead Flood Map. An attendee asked how we get a flood map of particular neighborhoods. Margaret said to send her an email (mtanner@AtlantaGA.gov) and she will forward it to the appropriate person. In an answer to another question, she said if stormwater flows from one property to another, that is a private property issue and the City doesn’t get involved with that. Another questioner asked if we get help with things like rainwater harvesting and cisterns. She said to send her an email. She said rainwater harvesting groups exist around the country—google “rainwater harvesting atlanta”.
Restoration projects were also discussed. This sometimes involves “laying back” a creek’s bank, which widens the creek and slows the water flow. Sinuosity restoration is another restoration technique – natural streams don’t flow in a straight channel and that slows the water flow.
V. Committee and Liaison Updates
Communications Committee
No report.
Education
Tom Tidwell said new millage rate is the same as last year, but since the tax digest has increased since last year, tax increase hearings were being held.
Executive Committee
Did not meet. No report.
Membership
No Report.
Parks
No Report.
Property Taxes
No Report.
Public Safety
Barbara Kennedy said Major Hobbs had reported that larcenies from autos were up 1%, burglaries were down 4%, auto theft is down 5%. Don’t leave stuff in your car or you risk being broken into. She said Hobbs added that home invasions typically are not random crimes – there’s usually more to the story
Redistricting
No Report.
Transportation, Development and Infrastructure
Jim King said he had contacted Laura Beall of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority about speaking to BCN about the topic of Developments of Regional Importance (DRIs). He expected her to come in August or September. There are rumors of the redevelopment of the Rose Hill apartments on Rowell Road in North Buckhead. There was discussion of another development on Peachtree Road at Collier Road in the area near Café Intermezzo – the neighborhood is concerned. The redevelopment of the old Atlanta Jewish Community Center is being considered as a rehabilitation center. The conversations between Buckhead Forest and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church were reported to be “not fruitful” thus far. The neighborhood remains hopeful.
VI. Old / New Business
Bylaws Change
Email Voting Sufficient ballots were submitted in June to approve this bylaws change. Revised bylaws are available Buckhead Council of Neighborhood Bylaws-Modified 6.13.2013.
Film Ordinance
Yolanda Adrean reported that the film city ordinance had been passed. The neighborhoods were left out originally, but a lot of language was added to protect neighborhoods. There will be a 24×7 hotline available to the public. The ordinance includes notice provisions.
XII. Community Concerns
No Report.
XIII. Announcements
None.
IX. Next Meeting – August 15, 2013
X. Adjourn – The meeting adjourned at about 8:15 PM.
Note: The opinions expressed by the speakers and individual neighborhood representatives in these minutes do not necessarily represent those of BCN or its member neighborhoods.