Two parts-

• How to send a communication by email to the members of the ZRB

• Information about the ZRB Hearing on June 1st

The Zoning Review Board consists of nine members, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, who meet twice a month to consider property rezonings and special use permits.  The Zoning Review Board takes into consideration the recommendations of the relevant Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) and the Office of Zoning and Development staff and makes recommendations on rezonings to the Zoning Committee of City Council. 

​To communicate in writing to the ZRB regarding Z-23-17 send an email to: zrb-hearings@atlantaga.gov
Reasons why this rezoning should not be approved.

1. The rezoning would not be consistent with the Comprehensive Development Plan.
2. No rationale has been given for public support of this rezoning (business states they intend to continue regardless).
3. The rezoning would be purely for the convenience and/or speculation of the property owner to the detriment of a purely residential street.
4. The building on the property is consistent with the current zoning since it is similar to the adjacent single-family residences.
5. The commercial rezoning of the property would permit the type of non-residential building not at all consistent with the adjacent single-family residences.
6. A precedent would be set for the intrusion of non-residential development on the first property of an otherwise purely residential street at the core of a neighborhood.

ZRB Hearing on June 1st
Attend in person 6:00 p.m. City Council chambers, second floor City Hall 55 Trinity Ave. 
Z-23-17 is the first rezoning case to be heard so hopefully attendance will not be too lengthy. 
Parking is available at the Government Center Parking Deck across Trinity Ave from the entrance to City Hall accessed via Washington St from the north or Central Ave from the south.

There are only 10 minutes in which the opposition may speak. NPU-D Jim Martin has agreed to present the case as it was discussed at length at the NPU-D meeting on April 25 with the vote to oppose, 98-6.  Since the ZRB officially takes into consideration the recommendation of the relevant NPU but not the individual neighborhoods it is appropriate that our NPU-D chairperson speak first to make the case for us. 

There are several long-time Springer St. residents who would be willing to follow Jim Martin in speaking of the importance of maintaining the integrity of Springer St. as a residential street.  A speaker plan will be determined in advance for the first speakers to make the case for opposition and, if there is remaining time, then others may speak.

NPU is ​thrilled to present an incredible program tailored specifically for your rising high school juniors and seniors! Designed to provide a hands-on learning experience, this initiative offers an up-close view of how our municipal government functions and empowers students to actively engage with their community. Don't miss out on this remarkable opportunity!
In this immersive program, students will gain invaluable insights into the inner workings of the City of Atlanta and discover how they can make a positive impact in their own neighborhoods. By participating, they will develop a deeper understanding of how they can influence decisions and contribute to the betterment of our community.
There are limited slots available, so we encourage you to have your aspiring young leaders apply today to secure their spot in this transformative program. To apply or learn more about this opportunity, please visit npuatlanta.org today. 
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the City of Atlanta and for supporting our youth in their quest for knowledge and civic engagement.

From the desk of UHNA Vice President Beau Grant, BCN Representative;
The last BCN was mostly about the "Atlanta Police Foundation" & "Buckhead Public Safety Foundation", explaining in great detail what charitable contributions can do to enhance recruitment and officer retention by funding hiring or retention bonus incentives, take home cars, and other perks officers consider valuable. David Wilkerson, CEO of Atlanta Police Foundation, presented this portion. His bio is here: https://hopeglobalforums.org/speaker/wilkinson/

The presenting officials seem optimistic with the direction of the Mayor's office, crime in most categories is either flat or decreasing. Property and crimes against persons is down, year over year, by ~26%. Buckhead itself is flat for the same year. Their solutions involve deterrents- more surveillance cameras, the crowd source ring network, more cars, more visible police presence. 

Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods Chair Debra Wathen discussed the creation of the Repeat Offenders Commission. [provides link to RepeatOffenderCommission_OnlineFormat.pdf]

Several articles from year ago are available with this search: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=repeat+offender+commission+Atlanta

The officials all echo the idea that Atlanta is falling short on retaining mid-career officers, owing to lack of adequate incentives/pay in that bracket. Their solution is more funding for that bracket, in this case funding charitable foundations to supplement the City's capacities.  

There was a cursory overview of the budget provided by the City Council President, Mr. Doug Shipman. 
https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/council-president-doug-shipman
District 9 Councilman Dustin Hillis was supposed to have presented the budget, but was unable to attend. Shipman said there is a need for hiring in Procurement and Public Works, where hiring has been flat; stated most APD officers lost during years 4-8; take home car program working well as an 'investment in public safety'. 

The budget is here:
https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/59001/638183003461870000

You can contact our VP or any of the UHNA leadership via our website. ​

Our UHERO  (Underwood Hills Emergency Response Operation) team is promoting home fire drills in the Underwood Hills neighborhood.  Far too many children and older adults die in home fires in this country, and we want to be sure that we don't have a tragedy here.  Schools have frequent fire drills, as do most businesses, so why not have them in our homes?

Attached is some information on planning and carrying out your own home fire drill.  Use this sign-up sheet if you would like to have the Station 23 firefighters help you with your drill.  (Having a big red fire truck pull up to your house will really make your drill a special event!!)

Contact Cynthia Williams at madamew@hotmail.com , if you have any questions.

Given the recent issues with street closures, interest has 'piqued' in what residents can do.
If you'd like to help shape the community response, email traffic@underwoodhills.org to express interest.

Congratulations to the Bailey and DeCarolis families on the arrival of their new babies last month. They both received lovely clothes from Winnie + Crew for their new additions and a meal from UHNA.   

​If you are expecting or know someone who is, please contact Melissa Blair & Jen Roane at  sponsorship@underwoodhills.org. 

The Underwood Hills Adopt a Stream project continues to add valuable information to the national EPA water quality  database. Results are publicly available here.
Now in partnership with UHNA Teen Committee and APS student volunteers, the group conducts monthly Chemical and Bacterial, and Quarterly Macro-invertebrate census.

NPU-D Rep Ms Nason;
The rezoning case, Z-23-17, for 1692 Springer St. will be heard at the Zoning Review Board meeting on June 1.  As you will see, it is a bit more complicated than that which we handled and voted on at the April 17 UHNA meeting (~60-2 against) although our vote at the April 25 NPU-D meeting (~98-5 against) was handled in such a way as to have referred to the application as summed up below .  I shall be conferring with members of the Steering or Executive Committees of UHNA and NPU as to what further actions might be taken to assure that 1692 Springer St. maintain its R-4 zoning.  It could be advisable to have a good turn-out of UH people at the ZRB meeting if you are able to put this date on your calendar with a view to attending the June 1 ZRB meeting.

AGENDA ZONING REVIEW BOARD JUNE 1, 2023 6:00 P.M., CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SECOND FLOOR NEW CASES
​1. Z-23-17 An Ordinance by Zoning Committee to rezone from R-4/UPWO (Single Family Residential/Upper Westside Overlay) and I-1/UPWO (Light Industrial/ Upper Westside Overlay) to C1/UPWO (Community Business District/Upper Westside Overlay) for property located at 1692 Springer Street NW and 0 DeFoor Avenue (Parcel ID 17 01870003107) fronting 60 feet on the west side of Springer Street NW beginning at an iron pin located on the westerly right of way of Springer Street at the northeast corner of Lot 34 Depth: 272 feet Area: .49 acres, Land Lot 187, 17 th District, Fulton County, Georgia OWNER: GIRVAN HENRY APPLICANT: GIRVAN HENRY NPU D COUNCIL DISTRICT 9