---
date: 2023-05-08
title: Regular Council Meetings Minutes
source: 2023-05/2023-05-08_Regular Council Meetings_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 6:00 P.M.
Mayor & City Council Administration
Mayor Anthony S. Ford Frederick Gardiner, City Manager
Mayor Pro Tem Yolanda Barber Vanessa Holiday, City Clerk
Councilman Elton Alexander John Wiggins, City Treasurer
Councilman John Blount Quinton Washington, City Attorney
Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt Jeremy T. Berry, City Attorney
Councilman Alphonso Thomas
Mission: To provide visionary leadership and superior municipal services that enhance the
quality of life for citizens while creating a welcoming business atmosphere focused on
sustainability and expansion of tourism and cultural events.
I. Call to Order – Mayor Ford

II. Invocation – Kim Allonce

III. Pledge of Allegiance – Recited by all in attendance.

IV. Roll Call – All members were present except Councilwoman Gantt

V. Motion to Amend the Agenda to Remove Item #12 and bring back to the
Council prior to May 19, 2023: Barber/Alexander Passed 4-0
VI. Adoption of The Agenda: Alexander/Barber Passed 4-0.

VII. Adoption of the Minutes: Blount/Alexander Passed 4-0.
1. Retreat Minutes 3/20/2023
2. Retreat Minutes 3/21/2023
3. Retreat Minutes 3/22/2023
4. Work Session Minutes 3/23/2023

PUBLIC COMMENTS
All persons wishing to speak for public comment must sign in with the City Clerk prior to
the beginning of the meeting noting your name, address, and phone number. You will be
allotted three (3) minutes. Speakers must respect all members of the elected body,
officials, and staff. Defamation, unruliness and/or swearing will not be tolerated. None

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CERIMONIAL
5. Mayor Ford reviewed the following proclamations: Municipal Clerk's Week,
Public Employee Recognition Week; National Mental Health Awareness
Month; National Day of Prayer; National Small Business Week; Asian
American-Pacific Islander Month; National Motorcycle Safety Awareness
Month; and Teacher Appreciation Week.
PRESENTATION
6. FY2024 Budget Process and Timeline
Presented by: John Wiggins, City Treasurer
No Action Taken

OLD BUSINESS
7. Council Consideration to appoint the Stockbridge Representative to the
Transportation Advisory Group
Presented by: Brecca Carter, Community Development Director
Motion to appoint Eniel Gonzalez to a Two-Year Term with a condition of
Quarterly Reporting to the Mayor & Council: Alexander/Barber Passed 4-0
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Adoption of the Combined City of Stockbridge Official Zoning & Overlay
District Map for 2023 -#OZM-2023-01. Consideration of amendments to
the Official Zoning Map & Overlay District Map in accordance with the
Resolution and Referendum annexation method, voted upon during the
November 8, 2022 election. There are approximately 2202+/- new parcels
to be added to Stockbridge City boundaries, as indicated within House Bill
612, including, but not limited to 23 subdivision communities, and parcels
primarily consisting of 1507+/- single-family residential, 105 combined
commercial and industrial, etc. The Zoning & Overlay District Map will be
combined as a single document. The previous Zoning Map and Overlay
District Map was adopted on March 14, 2022.
Presented by: Brecca Carter, Community Development Director
Public Hearing Opened – No Speakers in Favor No Speakers Opposed
Public Hearing Closed-Motion to approve: Alexander/Thomas Passed 4-0.
Staff will add Council Districts in all P&Z cases moving forward.

9. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT CASE #CP-2022-06
Consideration of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Request to assign
the future land use designation of property located at 576 Davis Road
(Parcel #S05-01002000) to ‘High-Density Residential’ to allow for the
construction of a townhome development. Applicant: Forestar Real Estate
Group (USA), Inc. Agent: Alex Brock of Smith, Gambrell & Russell,
LLP. The property is located in Land Lot 91 of District 12, and it contains
27.635 +/- acres.

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To be presented by the Community Development Staff. The Planning
Commission APPROVED this request with amended conditions at the
April 27, 2023 meeting.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Mr. Anderson presented an overview of the case.

Mr. Brock, Attorney for the Applicant responded to questions and
comments from the city council.

Public Hearing Opened – Speakers in Favor:
Richard Ordonez (speaker representing (7) family members in attendance,
family has owned the land for over 30 years and supports growth and
progress of the city.

Speakers In Opposition
Mr. Robert Schuhl – spoke in opposition of the development.
Mr. Vernard (Not opposed to the development) – opposed the lack of
notification to residents).
Mary Fox (Not opposed to the development) – opposed to the high density
and the increase in traffic.
Mark McFry – spoke in opposition and against the high density, and lack
of infrastructure in place.

Public Hearing Closed

Motion to Table to the July Council meeting: Barber/failed due to the lack
of a 2nd.
Motion to approve (CP-2022-06 Comp Plan w/conditions to amend the
development to (6) units per acre, units reduced to 165, and to add a pool:
to the amenities; : Alexander/Thomas Passed 3-0-1 (Barber Abstained).
Staff Conditions were removed due to the passage of the RZ-2022-07 and
VR-2022-03.
10. REZONING CASE #RZ-2022-07
Consideration of a Rezoning Request to assign the zoning district of ‘MFR’
(Multiple Family Residential) to property located at 576 Davis Road
(Parcel #S05-01002000) to allow for the construction of a townhome
development. Applicant: Forestar Real Estate Group (USA),
Inc. Agent: Alex Brock of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. The property
is located in Land Lot 91 of District 12, and it contains 27.635 +/- acres.

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To be presented by the Community Development Staff. The Planning
Commission APPROVED the item with four (4) zoning conditions on April
27, 2023.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner

Mr. Anderson presented an overview of the case.

Mr. Brock, Attorney for the Applicant responded to questions and
comments from the city council.

Public Hearing Opened – Speakers in Favor:
Richard Ordonez (speaker representing (7) family members in attendance.

Speakers In Opposition
Mark McFry – spoke in opposition and against the 25’ setback.

Public Hearing Closed

Motion to approve RZ-2022-07 with Conditions as outlined in the city’s
ULDC (Unified Land Development Code); 30% Stone Façade; continuous
meetings with the District 4 Representative throughout the development;
and Conditions #1, and #2 will be removed from the conditions in the
Variance Request as they have been satisfied along with the Conditions of
the ULDC. Alexander/Blount Passed 3-0-1 (Barber Abstained).

11. VARIANCE CASE #VR-2022-03
Consideration of a Variance Request to grant a variance for property at
576 Davis Road (Parcel #S05-01002000) in order to allow for the
construction of a townhome development. The requested variance would
reduce the front yard setback from the required minimum of 50 feet to 25
feet. Applicant: Forestar Real Estate Group (USA), Inc. Agent: Alex
Brock of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. The property is located in Land
Lot 91 of District 12, and it contains 27.635 +/- acres.

To be presented by the Community Development Staff. The Planning
Commission APPROVED the item with three (3) zoning conditions on April
27, 2023.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Mr. Anderson presented an overview of the case.

Mr. Brock, Attorney for the Applicant responded to questions and
comments from the city council.

Public Hearing Opened – Speakers in Favor:
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Richard Ordonez (speaker representing (7) family members in attendance.

Speakers In Opposed – No Speakers

Public Hearing Closed

Motion to approve VR-2022-03: Alexander/Blount Passed 3-1 (Barber
Opposed).
NEW BUSINESS
12. Council Consideration to approve the city's Liability Insurance Policy
effective May 19, 2023 - May 19, 2024
Presented by: Frederick Gardiner, Vanessa Holiday
Item Removed from the Agenda to be presented to the Council prior to
May 19, 2023.

13. Council Consideration to approve the Economic Development Incentives
Policy Framework
Presented by: Kimberley Allonce
Motion to approve: Alexander/Thomas Passed 4-0.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
UPCOMING MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council meetings will be held in the
City Council Chamber. Meeting dates, locations and times are subject to change.
Please visit the city’s website www.cityofstockbridge.com for the meeting information,
visit our Facebook page or contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.

• Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month 6:00
p.m. - City Hall Levi Meeting Room (May 9)
• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting 2nd Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
at the Welcome Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (May 12)
• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 3rd Tuesday of each month
Welcome Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (May 16)
• Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 3rd Tuesday of each
month Levi Meeting Room - City Hall (May 16)
• Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall Council Chamber 4th
Thursday of each month– (May 25)
• City Council Work Session Meeting, Last Tuesday of each month at 6:00
p.m. – City Hall Council (May 30)
• City Council Meeting, 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. – City Hall
Council Chamber (Jun 12)
• Youth Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 2nd Monday of each month - City Hall
Levi Meeting Room - City Hall (Jun 12)

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UPCOMING CITY EVENTS/INITIATIVES

• Join us for Food Truck Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Clark
Community Park 111 Davis Rd. Lots and great food and activities for
everyone.
• Save the Date: Carrie May Hambrick Day, Saturday, May 13th. More
information to follow. Contact Councilman Thomas at 404-247-4972 for more
information.
• Join Councilman Thomas for the Don’t Trash Stockbridge centered around
education highlighting the causes and effects of Littering and Illegal
Dumping. More information to follow.
• Henry for Music (HFM) presents the ASEP Violin Classes and Music
Program of Cotton Indian, Red Oak, and Fairview Elementary Schools &
Students from the HFM Youth Orchestra United “Joy Through Music” Spring
Concert 2023 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7pm at the Merle Manders
Conference Center and will feature Mayor Pro Tem Barber on violin.
• Honoring Veterans with a Continuous Salute all year long. Please send your
pictures of Veterans with their name, branch, rank and years of service as
Councilman Thomas sends a salute to honor Veterans all year long. Please
send pictures to rrawls@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov
• Join Mayor Pro Tem Barber for FREE Zumba every Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
beginning May 6th at Gardner Community Park on E. Atlanta Rd.
• The City of Stockbridge Police Department is conducting a "Teddy Bear
Drive" to benefit our partners at the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. New
and gently used teddy bears can be left at the Police Department located at
4545 N. Henry Blvd. or scan the QR Code on the city's website to purchase
one from Amazon. Bears are used to comfort children receiving services after
significant incidents.
• Meet the Mayor, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 10am – noon. Please contact
Rosalyn Rawls to schedule an appointment at 678-833-3348 or via email at
rrawl@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov
• Get your tickets for the Maxwell concert taking place Mother’s Day weekend
at the Stockbridge Amphitheater on Saturday, May 13th, and Sunday May
14th tickets are still available. Visit stockbridgeamp.com for more information
on this concert and the 2023 Stockbridge Concert Series.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Ford wished all the mothers a Happy Mother’s Day; noted tickets are
still available for the Maxwell concert this weekend for both nights; noted
COVID-19 is still with us and encouraged everyone to get their vaccinations
and get boosted to remain healthy; and noted he and the City Clerk, Ms.
Holiday recently completed GMA’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
inaugural class and extended congratulations.

Motion to adjourn: Alexander/Blount Passed 4-0.

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