---
date: 2006-05-08
title: May 8, 2006 Minutes
source: 2006-05/2006-05-08_May 8, 2006_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

May 8, 2006

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE MINUTES
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA MAY 8,
2006

The Regular Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was held on May 8, 2006 at 6:00 P. M. MayorR.G.Kelley
presided and members present were Fred Evans, W. A. Gardner, Steve Moon and Leila Turner. Mayor
Kelley explained that Harold Cochran was sick and unable to attend.

Fred Evans made a motion to convene; Steve Moon seconded, and passed unanimously.

Councilman Steve Moon gave the invocation.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve minutes of April 10, 2006 Stockbridge City Council Meeting;
W.A.Gardner seconded, and passed unanimously.

Mayor Kelley welcomed guests.

PLANNING AND ZONING

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PUBLIC HEARING – A. J. Welch stated that this portion of the meeting is a Public
Hearing concerning Community Assessment and Community Participation Program which are Elements of
the Comprehensive Plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Henry County. Julius Ross, Henry County
Planning and Zoning will conduct the Public Hearing.

Julius Ross advised that the Council will hear comments regarding the Comprehensive Plan and to adopt a
resolution to transmit the first and second parts of a three part community assessment and participation plan
for the joint Henry County and Cities comprehensive plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission and the
Department of Community Affairs. This is the first part of the process over the past five months. Mr.
Strickland along with representatives from the City and through at least two public meetings at the County
Administration Building and meetings in each of the Cities, the public has voiced comments regarding issues
and opportunities which are represented in the Community Assessment. The Community Assessment also
contains pertinent information about the Cities and County of Henry. The assessment is a collection of data,
information, population, estimates and projections to the year 2030 and history of the County and Cities. The
plan has information about housing, economic development, transportation, community facilities and eight
elements in total related on how we plan to grow in the future.

Mr. Ross stated that Jordan, Jones and Gouldin, are the consultants for this project, and they have been
gathering information on the vision for the future for each element. They have had some visioning workshops
which gathered the visioning for the land use as well as the transportation element. The Cities and County
are doing a joint transportation plan and the visioning workshop were held with the Comprehensive Plan so
we have one shared vision for the development of land and the development of roads in the County.

This particular resolution asked that the Council approve the transmission of the document to the ARC for
review. They will review the plan for thirty days and send back their comments. This is not to adopt the plan
but once ARC finishes their review, the consultants will put together the community agenda which is the third
part of the plan. The community participation outlines how the public will be involved in the process, the
meetings that we will hold and the time-line for completion of the project. Community assessment gives all
these facts and figures about the County and Cities and how we expect to grow. The community agenda
which is really the meat of the plan won’t be completed until October or November. We will have another
series of meetings on the community agenda to see that everyone is in agreement with the types of things
that we want to do to insure the vision that we have for the future comes to pass.

Mr. Ross asked if there is any public comment or the City Council and he would like to get the Resolution to
Transmit signed so that the ARC review can begin and he will be glad to answer any questions. He also
noted that the plan is online on the Henry County website and that they published notices in the newspaper.
The transportation plan is online and they will be pleased to provide a copy to anyone who wants a copy.

Mayor Kelley asked if anyone has any comments regarding the plan and he stated that the City’s comments
would be sent to Mr. Ross later in the week. There were no comments from the public regarding this matter.

WALMART SIGN PLAN RESOLUTION - A. J. Welch said this resolution is to amend the Development
Agreement concerning the WalMart Master Sign Plan. Ray Gibson, Henry County Planning and Zoning, has
the explanation of the plan. It has been reviewed by staff and they recommend approval and the Council
may have questions.

Ray Gibson said this request is basically for an amendment to the development agreement for the Hudson
Bridge Crossing shopping center having to do with signage. At Henry County, they typically for large
developments such as WalMart or big box retailers their ordinances are constructed to address the signage
issues of these big large developments. In working with Mr. Kevin Pepick, representative from WalMart, they
have come up with a Master Sign Plan for the subject property of which the County has reviewed
Development Agreement and they don’t seem to have any issues. The biggest concern from the County’s
standpoint when he first saw the plans, he was worried about having thirty-five foot high signs along Hudson
Bridge. The ordinance has limited those to fifteen feet for the out parcels. There will be two main signs for
the Wal-Mart itself, one entrance sign and one pylon sign along Interstate I-75. It has been a give-and-take
for both parties involved and it addresses any signage issues and allows the County when the sign
applications come to them to have something to look at and review the sign application.

Mr. Gibson gave the Council a handout which summarizes the intent of the Master Sign Plan and if anyone
has any questions, he will be happy to answer them.

Councilman Moon asked if these regulations will make the sign look tasteless or look like an eyesore to
anyone. Mr. Gibson responded that the Master Sign Plan insures that signage will have consistent
architecture throughout the project.

Mr. Welch stated that he and Ray Gibson has been working with WalMart and the developer for several
months to get this worked out. They came up with the Development Agreement so there wouldn’t be any
questions about how it would be developed. If the Council approves the Master Sign Plan it will be
incorporated into the Development Agreement.

Steve Moon made a motion to authorize Mayor Kelley to sign the amendment to the Development Agreement
concerning the WalMart Sign Plan; Fred Evens seconded, and passed unanimously.

DAY CARE CENTER ORDINANCE – A. J. Welch said this ordinance will amend the Day Care Center
ordinance as it applies to the Zoning Ordinance of the City. The City has already adopted amendments and
this is to bring it into compliance with the zoning criteria. It is his understanding that Planning and Zoning
and staff recommend the amendment be adopted. Since this is a zoning amendment the Council needs to
request pubic comment.

Mayor Kelley asked if there are any comments regarding this ordinance. There were no comments from the
public.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve amendment to the Day Care Center Ordinance; Leila Turner
seconded, and passed unanimously.
KAJ PROPERTIES, LEE KELLEY, JR. of McDonough, GA requested rezoning of property located on the
eastern side of Flippen Road, south of Avian Forest Drive in Land Lot 5 of the 12th District. Rezoning from
RA (Residential/Agricultural) to PD (Planned Development) for a Mixed Use Planned Development. The
property contains 29.69 acres.

Ray Gibson stated that the City of Stockbridge and Henry County future land use map designates this area
for low density residential for up to 2.5 dwelling units per acre. The applicant has submitted a concept plan
that shows ninety-one lots with sizes ranging from 6,600 square feet to 11,000 square feet. In addition, the
concept plan shows 5.27 acres of open space and .87 acre piece of property to be used for neighborhood
type commercial uses. The net density for the overall development is 4.52 dwelling units per acre. The
property is surrounded by Avian Forest on the eastern side of Flippen Road. The Zoning Advisory Board
recommended denial of this request.

A.J.Welch, asked if the density is reduced to the same as Avian Forest the Zoning Advisory Board will
approve the project. Ray Gibson responded that actually Avian Forest is 2.86 per acre. Margaret Village
just down the street is a Has Broder development is 3.21 units per acre. Mr. Welch stated that they could
have requested R-3 and had 3 units per acre without any question.

Lee Kelley, KAJ Properties, is seeking to develop 27.12 acres, 2.5 acres was actually Department of
Transportation rights-of-ways and it had to be pulled out of the project. They are seeking to rezone the 27.12
acres from RA (Residential-Agricultural) to PD (Planned-Development) with a mixed use. The .87 acres will
have to be something like an OI (Office-Institutional) zoning, a neighborhood friendly business. You say C-
1 (Light Commercial) you think of a gas station but it wouldn’t be anything of that nature. The 27 acres will
have approximately 91 single family detached homes. The lots would be 60’x110’. They are developing
similar to Avian Forest which has lot sizes of 55’x115’ which is 6,325 on the square footage. They are looking
at 6,600 square foot lots. Their density as Mr. Gibson stated is 4.52 and Avian Forest is 4.77 per units per
acre. The homes in the area will consist of a variety of floor plans as well as exterior features. The façade
will consist of a masonry type form with the remaining sides being of a hardi-board siding. The minimum
square footage for the development is 1,600 which is being staggered 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1,600, 1,700 and 1,800
square foot. The homes within this particular development to be in the price range from $150,000 and
$200,000.

Ray Gibson stated that at this meeting the Council is considering just the zoning issue. If the zoning is
approved the wetland issues goes to the Development Planning and Review Department where the applicant
submits engineering plans and the wet land areas will be identified and if they are indeed on the property and
they want to disturb that area there will have to be special permits they will have to receive from the state.
This process would hold them up for a long time. Also, if you purchase property and the real estate company
tells you the property next to you will not be developed, that is not a good assumption to go by.
Mayor Kelley asked Mr. Gibson what could be put on this property as it is currently zoned. Mr. Gibson
responded RA (Residential/Agricultural) would be a minimum of one area lots. The PD (Planned
Development) could be up to 3.6 dwelling units per acre. Mayor Kelley said basically there is not a lot of
difference on the number of units that could go on the property. Seventeen acres of the property is currently
zoned PD (Planned Development) and the request is for the RA (Residential/Agricultural) and PD (Planned
Development) portion combined to make it all one development. The applicant could walk away with one
acre lots on the front portion of seven acres and put a road through to the back properties. With a Planned
Development there is not a density cap; the applicant could do R-3 (Single/Family Residential) with 3.6
dwelling units per acre or RM (Residential/Multi-Family) at up to eight dwelling units per acre. They could
effectively put apartments on the property with the PD zoning.

The adjacent property owners raised questions regarding increased traffic on Flippen Road and wanted to
know if any traffic studies have been done. Another subdivision being constructed across Flippen Road.
What will all this construction do to the drainage problems they are already experiencing from flooding? What
will happen to the wetlands and wildlife living on this property? Mayor Kelley suggested Lee Kelley meet with
these people to answer their concerns and recommended the Council table this matter.

Fred Evans made a motion to table rezoning of this property; Steve Moon seconded, and passed
unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

BIOSOLIDS LAND APPLICATIONS – Charles Hall and Al and Becky Brannan have made application for
the City to spray biosolids from the City’s wastewater treatment plant to be sprayed as fertilizer on their
property.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve applications from Mr. Hall and Mrs.and Mrs. Brannan; W. A. Gardner
seconded, and passed unanimously.

JACK BURNSIDE AGREEMENT – Ted Strickland advised the Council that the City has received a $530,000
grant from U. S. Congressman Scott to build a tunnel under Norfolk Southern Railroad to connect Clark Park
and Gardner Park. This is a 20% matching grant and the City’s portion will be $170,000. Mr. Strickland has
meetings scheduled with two people who aspire to build the tunnel under the railroad. The Council needs to
approve Jack Burnside to provide the administrative services for the federally funded tunnel.
Mayor Kelley said the City has been trying to get funding for this project for at least ten (10) years and have
been turned down and the Council on behalf of the citizens of Stockbridge appreciate Congressman Scott
getting this grant for the City. Mr. Strickland said it will still take several years to get it completed but it is in
the beginning stages and he will have a meeting shortly to recommend to the Council to recommend one of
the two developers who build tunnels under the railroad.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve contract with Jack Burnside to administer the grant; Steve Moon
seconded, and passed unanimously.

SIZEMORE CONTRACT – Mayor Kelley stated that this item is being moved to the end of the agenda
because it is an Executive Session matter.

ANNE ALMOND – Mayor Kelley advised the Council that Ted Strickland will discuss a quarterly newsletter
that he is proposing being sent to citizens in the City.

Mr. Strickland said there is a lot of information the City needs to get out to the public that we have not been
able to get it out through the news media. We are proposing to have a quarterly report that will be composed
of eight (8) pages that will be mailed to the residents of the City of Stockbridge. It will have comments dealing
with matters concerning the operation of the City. The LCI tunnel project, the LCI project in front of the
elementary school is getting started this week. This will be a six (6) month project. We are working on a
sidewalk on East Atlanta Road from south of Love Street to Old Conyers Road. We are working on a
streetscape on Old Atlanta Road. There is a project to construct a walking trail from Memorial Park to Flippen
Road toward I-675 and eventually if funds become available it will be extended to connect all of the City
parks. The City has received approximately $4,170,000 in Federal Grant money to do these projects. These
projects will be 20% matching grants and they will take time to get completed. The City has a lot going on
and a lot planned and we need to keep the public informed as to what is taking place. We have not been
able to get the information out to the public and he would like to try this method for a year to see how it works
out. We can use funding from the hotel/tax revenues to pay the cost of $5,000 to produce the news letter,
which is legal to do.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve newsletter; Steve Moon seconded, and passed unanimously.

DAVID BRADFORD, GAINEY TRANSPORTATION AND THE BEST VALUE INN AND SUITES, 110
HIGHWAY 138 requested a variance to section 10.12.110 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the parking of
commercial vehicles at this site. Mayor Kelley stated that the City’s zoning ordinance prohibits commercial
vehicles using hotel/motel parking lots as a trucking terminal. Mayor Kelley recommended the request be
denied.
Fred Evans made a motion to deny request; W. A. Gardner seconded, passed unanimously.

VANESSA SUKHAH, 161 SUMMIT VIEW DRIVE, MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA requested a home occupation
to sell women’s accessories on-line. The name of the business is The Fashion Passion.

Vanessa Sukhah advised the Council that she lives with her mother in her mother’s home and the
Homeowner’s Association declined her request to operate a home occupation because she is not a
homeowner, and therefore, they would not give her the letter she needs to get her business license. She
was told to come before the Council to plead her case. Mayor Kelley advised Ms. Sukhah that the City would
need the letter of approval from her Homeowners Association because the Council doesn’t want to go against
the wishes of the Homeowners Association.

Fred Evans made a motion to deny request; Steve Moon seconded, passed unanimously.

TUNNEL UNDER NORKFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD PROJECT- Federal government portion is
$530,000 and City cost will be $170,000 with a fiscal year of 2007. Ted Strickland requested the Council
approve the City’s cost of $170,000 to be appropriated from SPLOST or General Fund funds which either
one would be legal. Mayor Kelley recommended appropriating these funds once the $530,000 has been
received from the Federal Government.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve; Steve Moon seconded, and passed unanimously.

HARRY SIMPSON AND DWIGHT HOLLAND, JR. asked permission to have a block/reunion party on July
1, 2006 at 6:00 P. M. on Walker Street, Wilson Street, Silent Avenue and Second Street including Memorial
Park. They presented a partition signed by the neighborhood. Mayor Kelley stated that this request will
create a safety problem when you block off streets. The City has not approved any of these requests in the
past because when the streets are blocked off and you have a fire or need an ambulance. As for using the
park, the parks are for the whole community and cannot be used for this type of function. Mr. Simpson said
the streets will not be blocked and traffic will be able to get through. Mayor Kelley stated if the streets will
not be blocked what they are asking for. Mr. Simpson said they just want to make sure they can have the
block/reunion party and not have any problems with anyone.

Mayor Kelley responded that the City is not against the community having a celebration of some kind as long
as they don’t block the streets and cause any disturbances. Councilman Moon asked if this is going to be an
alcohol party and Mr. Simpson and Mr. Holland responded “no”. Someone in the audience stated that the
streets are blocked when the City has music in the park. Mayor Kelley said he was not aware that the streets
are being blocked during this event and he would check into the matter and get it corrected.

Councilman Moon advised Mr. Simpson and Mr. Holland that they will need an event permit and notify the
Police Department so they will be aware of the event. Mayor Kelley suggested they get in touch with
Mr.Strickland and he will notify the Police so they know the event is taking place and want come in unless
there is a reason. Mr. Strickland pointed out for the record that the park will not be used for this event.

RESOLUTION – Meeks and Whitaker, City’s accounting firm instructed Finance Department to set-up new
entities for Hotel/Motel Tax and cemetery funds. These funds are currently set-up as accounts under the
General Fund. There will be no change in the amount of funds but will be set-up as separate funds for 2006.

Fred Evans made a motion to approve; Leila Turner seconded, and passed unanimously.

BIDS

OLD CONYERS ROAD LIFT STATION GENERATOR

Reagan Equipment Co. Inc. New Katolight $24,760.00
4442 Bretton Court, Ste B
Acworth, GA 30201
770-974-8825

Aqua Flow Service (Cummins/Onan standby $36,827.00
Suite 16 (Detroit Diesel Standby) $40,178.00
4220 Steve Reynolds
Blvd
Norcross, Ga 30093
770-935-8442
Templeton & Associates $65,000.00
3585 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd
Suite 201
Suwanee, GA 30024
770-614-8550

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Reagan Equipment in the amount of $24,760.00; Leila
Turner seconded, and passed unanimously

SMITH-BARNES LIFT STATION GENERATOR

Reagan Equipment Co. Inc. New Katolight $24,760.00
4442 Bretton Court, Ste B
Acworth, GA 30201
770-974-8825

Aqua Flow Service (Cummins/Onan standby $36,827.00
Suite 16 (Detroit Diesel Standby) $40,178.00
4220 Steve Reynolds
Blvd
Norcross, Ga 30093
770-935-8442

Templeton & Associates $65,000.00
3585 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd
Suite 201
Suwanee, GA 30024
770-614-8550

Steve Moon made a motion to approve low bid from Reagan Equipment in the amount of $24,760.00;
FredEvans seconded, and passed unanimously.

SMALL EQUIPMENT

STU BR420CM Backpack Blower (8)

Campbell’s Equipment & Hardware $331.76 ea $2,654.08
TOTAL
2012 Hwy 42 North
McDonough, GA 30253
770-898-5557

Fayette Mower $375.00 ea $3,000.00
TOTAL
395 South Glynn St.
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-461-9400

Snappers Lawn & Garden-No RESPONSE

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Campbell’s Equipment & Hardware; SteveMoon
seconded, and passed unanimously

PE-311 Echo Edger
Warren Holder Equipment $335.00 ea $670.00
TOTAL
122 Cleveland Street
Locust Grove, GA 30248
770-957-2441

Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co. $335.99 ea. $671.98
TOTAL
5830 North Henry Blvd.
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-9500

Spraggins Saw & Mower-NO RESPONSE

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Company Co.; Steve
Moon seconded, and passed unanimously.

SRM-311 Echo Trimmers (20)

Warren Holder Equipment $335.00 ea $6,700.00
TOTAL
122 Cleveland St
Locust Grove, GA 30248
770-957-2441

Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co $335.99 ea $6,719.80 TOTAL
5830 North Henry Blvd.
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-9500
Spraggins Saw and Mower – NO RESPONSE

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Warren Holder Equipment; Steve Moon seconded, and
passed unanimously.

Husqvarna Chainsaws (6)

Fayette Mower DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS
395 South Glynn Street
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-461-940-0395

Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co – 18” $369.00
ea. 5830 North Henry Blvd. 20” $369.00
ea. Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-9500 $2,214.00
TOTAL

Parkway Lawn & Garden – NO RESPONSE

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co.; SteveMoon
seconded, and passed unanimously.

Stihl TS760 16” Cutquik Cutoff Saw (2)

Campbell’s Equipment & Hardware $1003.26 ea. $2,006.52
TOTAL
2012 Hwy 42 North
McDonough, GA 30253
770-898-5557
Fayette Mower $1155.00 ea. $2,310.00
TOTAL
395 South Glynn St
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-461-9400

Snappers Lawn & Garden – NO RESPONSE

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Campbell’s Equipment & Hardware; SteveMoon
seconded, and passed unanimously.

Snapper Riding Mowers (3)

Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co. $1529.00 ea $4,587.00 TOTAL
5830 North Henry Blvd.
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-9500

Warren Holder Equipment $1595.00 ea $4,785.00
TOTAL
122 Cleveland St
Locust Grove, GA 30248
770-957-2441

Snappers Lawn & Garden – NO RESPONSE

Steve Moon made a motion to approve low bid from Toney’s Lawn Mower & Equipment Co., FredEvans
seconded, and approved unanimously.
TELESCOPIC ARTICULATING INSULATED
BUCKET TRUCK

Altec Industries, Inc. $87,646.00
1730 Vanderbilt Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35234
205-458-3885

National Utility Equipment Co. $91,400.00
744 Highway 87 GSC #3
Calera, AL 35040
205-685-8182

Global Rental $97,000.00
31 Inverness Center Dr. Suite 360
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-458-1564

Fred Evans made a motion to approve low bid from Altec Industries, Inc.; Steve Moon seconded, and
passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation.

Steve Moon made a motion to adjourn regular session; Fred Evans seconded, and passed unanimously.

Steve Moon made a motion to go into Executive Session; W. A. Gardner seconded, and passed unanimously.
Fred Evans made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session; Steve Moons seconded, and passed
unanimously.

Motion was made by Fred Evans to reconvene the regular session; Steve Moon seconded, and passed
unanimously.

SIZEMORE CONTRACT – A. J. Welch reported that the Urban Redevelopment Agency has gone through
extensive negotiations with Sizemore Group concerning the development of the final plans for the new City
Hall and civic portion and town green space and the development of the remaining properties and the Urban
Agency voted to accept the contract. Mr. Welch reviewed the contract with the Council and the Agency is
asking the Council to approve their employment of the Sizemore Group.

Fred Evans made a motion approve the Agency’s contract with the Sizemore Group; Steve Moon seconded
and passed unanimously.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to adjourn; Steve Moon seconded, and passed unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 7:20 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders, CMC R. G. Kelley,
City Clerk Mayor
