---
date: 2023-06-12
title: Regular Council Meetings Minutes
source: 2023-06/2023-06-12_Regular Council Meetings_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 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: Removing Item #6 & Item #7 from the Agenda
at the Applicant’s request, to be heard at the July 10th meeting:
VI. Adoption of The Agenda:

VII. Adoption of the Minutes:
1. Adoption of the April 10, 2023 Meeting Minutes
2. Adoption of the April 25, 2023 Meeting Minutes

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

CERIMONIAL
3. Mayor Ford reviewed proclamations for Caribbean Heritage Month,
National Pride Month, Juneteenth, and Father's Day
PRESENTATION

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4. First Quarter Henry County Transportation Advisory Group Update
presented by: Eniel Gonzalez, Stockbridge Representative – No Action
PUBLIC HEARING
5. CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE – TEXT AMENDMENT CASE #TX-2023-01.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide.
Consideration of a text amendment to the Stockbridge Unified
Development Code (UDC) in Section 2.5.2(D)(12) and Section
2.5.3(F)(11) to allow hookah bars/lounges, cigar bars/lounges, and
tobacco/vape shops as ancillary uses to the primary use of a restaurant /
lounges. Currently, the above uses are Prohibited Uses within the
Parkway Mixed-Use (PMU) Overlay District and the Downtown Village
(DV) Overlay District.
Presented by: Brecca Carter, Community Development Director
Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor - None
Speakers Opposed – Regina Ubadinira
Public Hearing Closed
Motion to Table to the July 10th meeting with the following tasks:
1) Address all code items within Zoning and Business Licenses
—One-mile radius requirements
—Percentage allowance of revenue for cigar/hookah to be lower
than 49%
2) Proper ventilation (Regulated by the Henry County Environmental
Health Dept.)
3) Require a separate room for ventilation
4) Remove request for vape, tobacco shops altogether in the amendment
5) Remove restaurants — hookah & cigar bars within Sports Bar/lounges
6) Conduct research on what percentage of revenue to be allowed for
local cities: Hampton, McDonough, Jonesboro, College Park, Hapeville
7) Number of these uses within the City of Stockbridge currently (Code
Enforcement concerns)
8) Obtain business license for this ancillary use

6. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT CASE #CP-2022-04.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 2 and 3. Vista formally requests a 30-day deferral
of both the rezoning and Comp Plan amendment applications.
Consideration of a request for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to
assign the future land use designation of ‘High-Density Residential’ to
certain property on Flippen Road, to allow for the construction of a mixed-
use residential development, including commercial and office uses. The
applicant is Vista Residential Partners (c/o Dennis J. Webb, Jr.). The
property contains three parcels in Land Lot 38 of District 12, as are listed
below, with 276.91+/- total acres within the Stockbridge City Limits.

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Parcel #030-01004000—Large parcel with 249.19 +/- acres, located
between Flippen Road and Interstates 75 & 675; Parcel #030-01003001—
Medium-sized parcel with 24.97 acres, located at 630 Flippen Road;
Parcel #030-01004008 -- Small parcel with 2.75 acres, located at 384
Flippen Road.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Item deferred to the July 10th meeting at the Applicant’s request.

7. REZONING CASE #RZ-2022-05. COUNCIL DISTRICT: 2 and 3. Vista
formally requests a 30-day deferral of both the rezoning and Comp Plan
amendment applications.
Consideration of a request for rezoning to assign the ‘PUD’ (Planned Unit
Development) district to certain property on Flippen Road, to allow for the
construction of a mixed-use residential development, including commercial
and office uses. The applicant is Vista Residential Partners (c/o Dennis J.
Webb, Jr.). The property contains three parcels in Land Lot 38 of District
12, as are listed below, with 276.91+/- total acres within the Stockbridge
City Limits. Parcel #030-01004000—Large parcel with 249.19 +/- acres,
located between Flippen Road and Interstates 75 & 675; Parcel #030-
01003001—Small parcel with 24.97 acres, located at 630 Flippen Road.
Parcel #030-01004008---Small parcel with 2.75 acres, located at 384
Flippen Road.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Item deferred to the July 10th meeting at the Applicant’s request.

8. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE #CU-2023-01.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4.
Consideration of a request for a conditional use permit to allow for the
development of a place of worship at 713 Valley Hill Road. The property
is in Land Lot 103 of District 12, and it contains 4.000 +/- acres within the
Stockbridge City Limits. The Planning Commission recommended
approval with the Staff’s conditions, plus they added one condition--that
the applicant hold a Community Meeting prior to the June 12th Council
meeting. The applicant held that meeting on Monday, June 5th.
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Staff presented an overview of the case.
Applicant: Pastor Keith G. Nation, Mr. Oji Onwudegu, and Mr. Fatemi.
Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor: Randall Eck; Raymond King
Speakers Opposed: Jennifer Eckridge; Anthony Mitten; Charles Cook
Public Hearing Closed
Motion to approve per staff recommendation and traffic enforcement
during church gatherings and activities: Barber/Alexander Passed 5-0.

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9. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT CASE #CP-2023-01.
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4.
Consideration of a request for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to
assign the future land use designation of ‘High-Density Residential’ to
Parcel #029-01009001 on Valley Hill Road, to allow for the construction of
a townhome development. The applicant is Victory Worship Center,
represented by Keith G. Nation. The property is in Land Lot 103 of District
12, and it contains 7.864 +/ acres within the Stockbridge City Limits.
The Planning Commission recommended approval with the Staff’s
conditions, plus they added one condition--that the applicant hold a
Community Meeting prior to the June 12th Council meeting.
The applicant held that meeting on Monday, June 5th
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Staff presented an overview of the case.
Applicant: Pastor Keith G. Nation, Mr. Oji Onwudegu, and Mr. Fatemi.
Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor - None
Speakers Opposed – Randall Eck; Raymond King; Jennifer Eckridge;
Glenda Miller; Burley Champion; Nancy McRae; Charles Cook; Joshua
Head; Anthony Mitten; Regina Ubadinira
Public Hearing Closed
Motion to approve: Alexander/ - Motion died for lack of a second.
Motion to deny: Barber/ - Motion died for lack of a second.
Motion to approve: Alexander/Gantt Passed 4-1 (Barber Opposed).

10. REZONING CASE #RZ-2023-01. COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4.
Consideration of a request for a rezoning to assign the ‘MFR’ (Multiple
Family Residential) zoning district to Parcel # 029-01009001 on Valley Hill
Road, to allow for the construction of a townhome development. The
applicant is Victory Worship Center, represented by Keith G. Nation. The
property is in Land Lot 103 of District 12, and it contains 7.864 +/- acres
within the Stockbridge City Limits. The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the Staff’s conditions, and the condition--that
the applicant hold a Community Meeting prior to the June 12 th Council
meeting. The applicant held that meeting on Monday, June 5 th
Presented by: Brecca Carter, Community Development Director
Staff presented an overview of the case.
Applicant: Pastor Keith G. Nation, Mr. Oji Onwudegu, and Mr. Fatemi.
Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor - None
Speakers Opposed – Randall Eck; Raymond King; Jennifer Eckridge
Public Hearing Closed
Motion to approve with Conditions as recommended by staff and the
following added Conditions: 10% Rental Cap and 90% owner-occupied
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units included in the covenant; 10’ multi-use paths along the entire
frontage of the church and the townhome development; and construct a
clubhouse: Alexander/Gantt Passed 4-1 (Barber Opposed).

11. VARIANCE CASE #VR-2023-01 COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4.
Consideration of a request for a variance for Parcel # 029-01009001 on
Valley Hill Road, to allow for the construction of a townhome
development. The purpose of the variance is to allow the reduction in the
front yard setbacks from the required 50 feet to 25 feet in the MFR
(Multiple Family Residential) zoning district. The property is in Land Lot
103 of District 12, and it contains 7.864 +/- acres within the Stockbridge
City Limits. The Planning Commission recommended approval with the
Staff’s conditions, plus they added one condition--that the applicant hold a
Community Meeting prior to the June 12th Council meeting. The applicant
held that meeting on Monday, June 5th
Presented by: Ryan Anderson, Chief Planner
Staff presented an overview of the case.
Applicant: Pastor Keith G. Nation, Mr. Oji Onwudegu, and Mr. Fatemi.
Public Hearing Opened
Speakers in Favor - None
Speakers Opposed – Randall Eck
Public Hearing Closed

Motion to deny: Barber/failed due to the lack of a second.
Motion to approve Variance of 30 feet: Alexander/Gantt Passed 4-1
(Barber Opposed).
NEW BUSINESS
12. Council consideration to approve the Economic Development BRICS
(Building a Resilient, Innovative and Connected Stockbridge) Initiatives
and Program Guidelines. Funding source ARPA.
Presented by: Kim Allonce, Economic Development Director
Motion to approve: Thomas/Blount Passed 3-0 (Alexander and Gantt were
not present for the vote).

13. Council consideration to approve the Mays Crossing Lift Station and Force
Main Rehabilitation Project Change Order No.1 with Allsouth Construction,
Inc. The change order is as follows: (1) replacement of the Old Conyers
gravity sewer main (2) Mays Crossing lift station generator (3) installation
of the air release valves on the Willow Springs force main and (4)
installation of razor ribbon on the fence at the Mays Crossing lift station in
the amount of $342,667.80. Funding Source is SPLOST.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director and
Brad Holtsinger, Wastewater Sewer Superintendent
Motion to approve: Blount/Alexander Passed 3-0-1 (Barber Abstained)
(Gantt was not present for the vote).
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14. Council consideration to approve Site Engineering to replace water main
on Shortline Court in the amount of $134,751.25. Funding source
SPLOST V.
Presented by: Decius Aaron, Public Works Director
Motion to approve: Blount/Alexander Passed 4-0.

15. Council Consideration to fill a vacancy and appoint a member to the Youth
Council Advisory Committee
Presented by: Randi Rainey, Youth Council Liaison
Motion to fill the vacancy and appoint Mary Saadiq to Stockbridge Youth
Council Advisory Committee to fill the term through December 31, 2024:
Blount/Alexander Passed 4-0. (Gantt was not present for the vote).
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Council meetings will be held in the City Council Chamber, noting some
Board/Committee meetings will continue to take place via Zoom. Meeting dates
and times are subject to change. Please visit the city’s website
www.cityofstockbridge.com for the meeting invitation link, Facebook page or
contact City Hall offices at 770-389-7900 for updates.

• Main Street Advisory Board Meeting *SPECIAL MEETING DATE* Annual
Planning Retreat – Saturday, June 10th at 9am at the Merle Manders
Conference Center, Lower Level, 111 Davis Rd. (Jun 10)
• 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)
• Citywide Development Authority Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month 6:00
p.m. - City Hall Levi Meeting Room (Jun 13)
• City Council Work Session Meeting, *SPECIAL MEETING DATE* June 20th
at 6:00 p.m. – City Hall Council (Jun 20)
• Downtown Development Authority Meeting, 3rd Tuesday of each month
Welcome Center 130 M L King, Sr. Heritage Trail (Jun 20)
• Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 3rd Tuesday of
each month Levi Meeting Room - City Hall (Jun 20)
• Planning Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall Council Chamber 4th
Thursday of each month– (Jun 22)

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 of great food and activities for
everyone.
• 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.

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• 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.
• Councilman Thomas is honoring Veterans with a Continuous Salute all
year long. Please send your pictures of Veterans with their name, branch,
rank, and years of service to rrawls@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov
• The Main Street Staff will be hosting an informational session for
Stockbridge Businesses to learn more about how they can participate in
the Small Business BLITZ and Small Business Saturday. This meeting will
be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Stockbridge Welcome
Center and Main Street Program Office.
• Join Mayor Ford for the State of the City Address on Thursday, June 15th
at 6pm. Location: Stockbridge City Hall 4640 N. Henry Blvd. in the Council
Chamber on the 2nd floor.
• Join the City of Stockbridge for the annual Juneteenth Celebration,
Monday, June 19th at the Stockbridge Amphitheater. There will be food
trucks, arts and craft vendors and a concert featuring jazz, blues, and soul
artists. The activities begin at 3pm. This is a FREE event.
• Join Councilman Blount for Bingo Bash, Wednesday, June 21st from 10am
– noon at the Merle Manders Conference Center located at 111 Davis Rd.
• Join Mayor Ford for Meet the Mayor on Wednesday, June 28th from 10am –
noon. Please contact Rosalynd Rawls to schedule an appointment at 678-
833-3348 or via email at rrawls@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov
• Join Mayor Pro Tem Barber for the 2nd Qtr. District 4 Community Forum,
Wednesday, June 28th from 6pm – 8pm at the Merle Manders Conference
Center located at 111 Davis Rd.

Get your tickets for the upcoming 2023 Stockbridge Concert Series by visiting
stockbridgeamp.com in person at the ticket office located at 4650 North Henry
Blvd. Thursday – Saturday from 1pm – 5pm.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Ford wished all the father’s a Happy Father’s Day and referenced the
proclamation ceremony honoring the fathers that took place prior to the start of the
meeting; noted he has officially appointed Councilman Thomas to Chair the Community
Relations Committee; noted COVID-19 is still with us and encouraged everyone to get
vaccinated and boosted and to remain healthy and safe.
Motion to adjourn: Blount/Thomas Passed 5-0.

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