Tucker, GA – Tucker City Council met Sept. 13 to discuss parks, land use and changes to the city’s code.

Here are the high points of Monday’s meeting:

– Mayor Frank Auman said since August, 18 new businesses applied for occupational tax certificates in Tucker.

– Smoke Rise neighbors raised $125,000 for a memorial in William Probst Park, a greenspace named for the late visionary, planner and homebuilder. City council voted unanimously to approve construction of a memorial plaza and iconic chimney by Willow Construction. The project is entirely funded by neighbors.

– City Council unanimously approved the installation of a sidewalk at Henderson Park by AJB Construction Group for $117,400. Rip Robertson, director of Parks and Recreation, said a crosswalk from the first parking lot to the park gate will be created. Councilmember Michelle Penkava said the area gets a lot of foot traffic.

– Two Special Land Use Permits were discussed. Development Disability Ministry, a personal care home located in a 5-bedroom ranch house on .24 acres, applied for a SLUP at 3710 S. Marlborough Drive. The SLUP would allow four people to live in a group home setting. Planning Commission recommended approval of the SLUP on Aug. 19. A second read of the SLUP will be presented to City Council on Oct. 12.

– A second read of a SLUP for Auto MD, an auto maintenance shop at 2101 Northlake Parkway, was passed by City Council in a 5-1 vote. Councilmember Matt Robbins voted no.

Staff said at Tucker Planning Commission meeting on July 21 adding a fifth auto sales and services business would result in a disproportionate number of similar sites. Nearby businesses include Zip Tire at the current property, DeKalb Tire at 2089 Northlake Parkway, Take 5 Oil Change at 4303 LaVista Road, and Firestone at 2066 Northlake Parkway. Take 5 and Firestone are less than 1,000 feet from the proposed site.

“This is minimal traffic for the this proposed business, but given the number of businesses and the complexity of the ingress and egress, staff would recommend redesigning it, or just make sure all businesses are operating efficiently at the site,” said Courtney Smith, director of planning and zoning.

– Smith also presented a first read of an ordinance to edit Tucker’s city code on sign regulations. The edits address grammatical errors and remove references to overlay districts that no longer exist.

A memo says “left completely unregulated, the number, size, design characteristics, and locations of signs in the city can become a threat to public safety as a traffic hazard and a detriment to property values and to the city’s general public welfare, as well as create an aesthetic nuisance. The city, further, finds that signs have become excessive and that many signs are distracting and dangerous to motorists and pedestrians, are confusing to the public, and substantially detract from the beauty and appearance of the city.”

Tucker Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance in August. City council will have a second read on Oct. 12.

– Attorney Brandon Bowen presented a resolution for a temporary moratorium of applications to develop eight light industrial parcels in an area bounded by E. Ponce De Leon Avenue, Juliette Road, U.S. 78 and GA-10. Bowen said the area was zoned for light industrial use, but has been developed for residential use. It is also marked “suburban” on the city’s future land use map.

The process to evaluate appropriate zoning classification is going to take several months with public hearings, said Bowen. It will not prevent businesses in the area from using their property under the current zoning. City Council unanimously approved the resolution.

– City manager Tami Hanlin asked council to approve an amendment to a contract with Atlas Technical Consultants. Hanlin said more staff is needed to process capital projects. The contract is not to exceed $50,000. Council members passed the amendment unanimously.

– Finance Director Robert Porche delivered the second read of an amendment to the FY22 budget. City Council passed it unanimously. Part of the amendment accounts for the first installment of American Rescue Plan funds for $6.7 million.

– City Council held executive session for real estate and litigation. No votes were taken. Executive session was also held at the Aug. 9 meeting for the same purpose.

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