HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2018 Regular Meeting City Council of Peachtree City
Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2018
6:30 p.m.
The Mayor and Council of Peachtree City met in regular session on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Mayor Vanessa Fleisch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Others attending: Terry Ernst, Mike
King, Kevin Madden, and Phil Prebor.
Announcements, Awards, Special Recognition
The Mayor and Fire Chief Joe O'Conor honored Fred (Joey) Leonard, Jr., Fire Department for 25
years of service.
Public Comment
Eric lmker announced the 10th annual Monopoly Tournament, set for April 14. He said it was the
largest such competition in the country, and about 128 players were expected to compete.
Minutes
King moved to approve the March 1, 2018, regular meeting minutes as written. Madden
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Agenda Items
02-18-04 Consider Rezoning Request, AR to LUR, 279 Senoia Road
City Engineer Dave Borkowski presented information on drainage issues on and surrounding the
tract that had been brought up by area residents at the February 15 Council meeting and
discussed what could be done to rectify drainage problems. He showed a site map of the
property and the adjacent lots in the Saranac and Ardenlee neighborhoods and indicated lots
where homeowners had reported drainage problems.
Borkowski had suggested that builder Chad Floyd provide two preliminary concept sketches of
the development showing pre- and post-construction drainage. He showed the lots backing up
to Saranac on the pre-developed map and indicated the ditch behind them. A dotted area
represented the drainage area that flowed to the ditch now, Borkowski said, noting that this area
was almost an acre. What was proposed, he explained,was mass grading and removal of the hill
to take the drainage area away from those lots. He said the size of the drainage area would
decrease from one acre to about three-quarters of an acre, and it should reduce runoff from the
hill.
Borkowski said he still had some concerns about part of that area being City greenbelt. The
developers were proposing an additional 20 feet of greenbelt along the back of those lots. He
said there had been problems in other neighborhoods about water flow from greenbelts
impacting private property, and the City had been sued. He added that he wanted to ensure
that the 20-foot greenbelt could stay private to limit City liability.
The developers would not be using the existing farm pond for drainage, but building a new
drainage pond to capture the runoff and send it to a creek that ran through Ardenlee, Borkowski
noted. The developers had been told that the City would scrutinize that drainage system to ensure
there were no storm drain issues in Ardenlee. Borkowski conceded that smaller lot subdivisions such
as this one were a challenge regarding drainage. Larger lots meant there were many options for
manipulating water and controlling the direction of its flow.
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March 15,2018
Page 2
Another concern involved plans to connect to the City's path system. Borkowski showed an
oblique view of the existing corridor, adding there was a drainage pipe underneath the path and
a swale that traveled around the back of Saranac. He said the developers had planned to build
a path along the center of the swale into the new subdivision. Borkowski listed his concerns with
that plan, noting that the plats for Saranac and Ardenlee showed a 45-foot wide City greenbelt
between them. City ordinance required a 50-foot greenbelt to build a new path between
residential lots, meaning Council would have to grant a variance if the path was built according
to the developer's plans.
The other issue Borkowski noted was that the final plat showed the path running up the center of
the swale in order to limit tree cutting in the buffer between subdivisions. Borkowski pointed out in
an aerial photograph that the mouth of the drainage pipe underneath the existing path was on
a residential lot, not on the greenbelt.The greenbelt was a little further to the west, and the swale
was close to the property line, perhaps on the actual property.The path would have to be shifted,
taking out more trees than developers had planned, which could be a point of contention. He
showed more photos of where the path must run, noting the issues with drainage that
homeowners had reported could have been brought about by fences erected and trees planted
along and across the swale. He showed an open swale that allowed for free flow of water as it
was designed.
Ernst asked Borkowski to identify which trees would need to be removed, referring to several strips
of trees. Fleisch noted that it appeared that a planting of Leyland cypresses would need to be
removed,and they appeared to be on City property.The owner of the property with the Leylands,
Cindy Kilpatrick, said she had gotten permission by the City to plant those 17 trees. Kilpatrick said
part of the water did flow through her property and asked for clarification about the location of
the path.
Fleisch asked applicant Jerry Peterson and Chad Floyd of Chadwick Homes if they wished to
comment. Peterson noted that they were proposing to put the pipe underneath the path,
extending it and making it so it could pick up additional water. He said Borkowski had covered
other issues well. Peterson said they would replace any trees that needed to be removed, and
they would move existing trees, if possible. City Manager Jon Rorie noted that the success rate in
moving existing trees was about 80%, depending on when they were moved.
Madden asked Borkowski if there was not sufficient greenspace to put the path on the east side
of the Leyland cypress trees. Borkowski responded that anything within 45 feet of the path would
be affected. Prebor clarified with Kilpatrick about the location of the greenbelt in relation to her
property and the trees. Borkowski said the greenbelt started close to the center of the swale, and
no building could be done to the left because it was private property. Kilpatrick asked if this meant
the 17 Leyland cypresses would have to go, again noting that she received permission to plant
them. It would be a grading exercise to get in there, Borkowski told her. She noted there was a
drainage ditch to the left where all of Saranac's water went.
Ernst asked if the path had to be built, with Borkowski responding that he did not know if it was a
zoning requirement or not. Prebor said the new subdivision would be isolated without a
connection to the path system if the path was not built.
Prebor asked Peterson if the lots would be graded so Saranac received less runoff water into the
ditch and swale, noting that drainage was the major issue for Saranac and Ardenlee residents.
Stormwater Manager Mike Madison said the post-developed drainage map showed that the
area would be graded so that water ran to the street on both sides, then carried to a drainage
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Page 3
pipe. Prebor pointed out that this would mean less water coming into Saranac. Fleisch said that
this was the whole point of Council's continuing this rezoning from the February 15 meeting. She
noted the advantage of the same builder that developed Saranac working on this new project,
saying this would give relief to Saranac and be advantageous to the new development as well.
Borkowski said the City would require that no additional runoff leave the property. Coming
towards Saranac, the drainage area would be smaller due to the cutting off of the hill, meaning
less water coming into the ditch.
Madden mentioned that Borkowski had proposed the City give back 20 feet of the greenspace
to property owners in the new development and asked about the impact on the buffer between
Saranac and the new development. Borkowski said it would not be a case of giving back
anything, but that the developers would not be donating 20 feet on the new development side
of the greenbelt. He said the City already owned a 20-foot strip on the Saranac side, and the
developers were planning on donating a 20-foot strip of the back of the property on the new side.
He said the City could label it as an undisturbed buffer instead of greenbelt.
Madden asked, and Borkowski confirmed, that the concern was that if there was a severe runoff
problem, the City could be sued if it owned the greenbelt. Madden noted that if drainage was
the issue, the undisturbed buffer must be done in such a way that property owners knew the
property could not be built on. City Attorney Ted Meeker said it would still be considered a
greenbelt, but the City would not own it.
Peterson proposed having the homeowners association (HOA) own that strip of land since it would
own the detention pond as well. Meeker stated it did not matter who owned the land,just as long
as it was not the City.
Peterson remarked that there was another way to incorporate a path, perhaps a little longer, but
possible. He explained the path could run along the north side and follow the creek to the street
in Ardenlee. He said there was potential for this alternate route if the original path could not be
followed.
Fleisch asked how to best move forward with a motion if the path site was still to be determined.
Rorie said site specific requirements could be included in the ordinance. He recommended
Council revise the ordinance included in their meeting packet. Meeker noted that this was a draft
ordinance that could be used if Council wished to approve the rezoning request with
amendments. Rorie said he would like to include some additional language regarding the path
location as well as in some of the other clauses.
Fleisch asked Rorie to go over all the additional language that Staff recommended adding to the
LUR zoning amendment. Rorie proposed that they require the developer to "Provide a maximum
of 15 single-family detached units, each with a minimum floor area of 1,600 square feet, provided
the development meets all applicable stormwater requirements without variances." Rorie said
that would allow developers to reduce the number of lots if stormwater control required it, but
limit the number of lots to 15.
Warrix proposed language for item Section 1013A.17(g)(5), that "The Applicant shall coordinate
with city staff in providing a location for the multi-use path connection." Meeker and Rorie added,
"A path connection to the existing path at the Saranac subdivision shall include a pipe for the
conveyance of storm water to be located under the path and designed to receive stormwater
from the area adjacent to the path. Any trees removed for a path connection to the existing
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March 15,2018
Page 4
path at Saranac subdivision shall be replaced within the greenbelt with like size and species of
plants as trees removed. "
Another change suggested by Meeker was related to related to (g)( 7), which referenced a 50-
foot-wide greenbelt along the frontage of Senoia Road. He suggested the addition of this
requirement-A 20-foot-wide undisturbed buffer shall be provided along the southern boundary
of the property. Meeker said it would be left to the developers if they wanted to include ownership
of this buffer with the lots or deed it to the HOA.
Fleisch asked if these changes had been discussed with Peterson and Floyd. Meeker said some
had, and Rorie clarified that not all of them had been discussed.
Rorie noted that #6 should be struck from item (g) of Section 1. This regarded use of the existing
pond as a detention pond,which would not be allowed.
Rorie pointed out that more than lot-to-lot grading would be required to deal with stormwater
issues, so #9 should be deleted to allow for the additional grading to the lots.
Paragraph #11 required a clearing and grading plan be submitted for each residential lot prior to
issuance of a Land Disturbance Permit, and Rorie pointed out that was consistent with all
developments in the City.
Prebor moved to approve the ordinance,with the changes listed by staff. Ernst seconded. Motion
carried unanimously.
New Agenda Items
03-18-02 Consider Bid for Drake Field Pavilion Project
Rorie said the Drake Field Pavilion project had been discussed for many months, and architectural
renderings and engineering drawings had been completed. The pavilion was the premier
enhancement to Drake Field.The City received three bids,with Dockery Group LLC submitting the
low bid of$391,698, with bid alternates included. Rorie had met with the low bidder to negotiate
the roofing and lumber packages, among other items, resulted in a price of$280,000, down from
the original bid of $391,698. He recommended the contract be awarded to the Dockery Group
LLC for their low bid of$280,000.
Fleisch asked when the building project would begin, and Rorie said it would be soon, weather
permitting.
King moved to approve New Agenda Item 03-18-02, bid for Drake Field Pavilion project at
$280,000. Ernst seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
03-18-03 Consider Bid for 2018 Paving Projects
Rorie noted that this project was another that had been in the works for months. The Special
Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) included many projects for road resurfacing or
infrastructure improvements and called for eight miles of road resurfacing and eight miles of seal
coating annually. He said Civil Engineer Jonathan Miller had worked hard to develop a six-year
plan for this work.
Miller said they solicited bids from several companies and opened them on March 6. Atlanta
Paving submitted the lowest bid at $3,891,965.92. Miller said a review of bid documents and
references were acceptable. Staff had identified roads that needed to be added to the this
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Page 5
project, which included, but were not limited to MacDuff Parkway, Flat Creek Road, and Kelly
Drive/McIntosh Trail. Staff was asking Council to approve an amount not to exceed $4,900,000,
which would cover the additional roadwork. He reported there were sufficient funds in both
SPLOST and the General Fund to cover this work. A total of $26 million in SPLOST funds were
dedicated to paving, with 86%of that earmarked for resurfacing and reconstruction.
This year's road projects were determined with the Pavement Condition Evaluation System
(PACES). The pavement analysis from Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) should be in by
April 20, and that would reset all ratings and adjust the paving schedule for next year.
Rorie explained that main roads often led into a subdivision, then broke off to the left or right into
cul-de-sacs.Systems such as PACES or IMS rated the roads, but might deem only the more-heavily
trafficked main roads as needing resurfacing. However, it would sometimes make sense to pave
the smaller cross streets while the paving equipment was in the area. Rorie said the bid was
constructed to allow for these add-on projects when they made practical and rational sense. He
said the $4.9 million would consist of $3 million in SPLOST funds and $1.8 million from the General
Fund.
Historically, Rorie noted,the City had had to delay paving or eliminate projects due to inadequate
funding. The six-year SPLOST had allowed for a very thoughtful and pragmatic package that
Council should approve.
Madden asked about the Kelly Drive/McIntosh Trail project. Miller said it would be the portion of
road from SR 74 to Peachtree Parkway. He said it needed to be in the bid, but staff had wanted
to make sure everything with the spillway project was going well. Madden said the east side of
the intersection was in very bad shape, but Rorie said it might not be the worst in the City. Miller
noted that the PACES ratings were a little old,and he felt the IMS ratings would be more accurate.
King said this was basically 10% of the paving projects for the $29 million from SPLOST plus the $1
million the City put into paving projects each year. He said this would be a good start until they
had a more objective way of measuring it.
Madden asked Rorie about where public works trucks entered and exited on McIntosh, which
increased the wear and tear. Rorie said that area would constantly be beat up, and they might
transition from asphalt to concrete for more durability under the heavy truck traffic.
Fleisch emphasized again that it was just beginning. Prebor said a citizen had told him just that
day how glad they were to see projects going on all over the City.
Madden moved to approve New Agenda Item 03-18-03 and accept the 2018 paving projects as
presented. Prebor seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Council/Staff Topics
Update on Lake Peachtree Spillway Project
Spillway Project Manager Dan Davis of Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE) noted that the
project started in September, and, at this point, the contractor was three or four weeks behind
schedule. The contractor was now working until 6:30 at night and on weekends to make up time.
A week of freezing weather and frequent rain had been factors beyond the contractor's control
that put the project behind schedule, Davis reported.
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March 15,2018
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Davis continued that the contractor hoped to gain back a week of lost time, and he believed the
contractor could make up a little more time to hit a completion date of mid-June. Substantial
completion was defined as when they could close the valve and begin filling the lake. After that
point, the contractor would have two months to finish punch list items, but Davis did not believe it
would take two months estimating the time needed to be about 30 days. He said they were
looking at closing the valve around June 15, when the original projected date had been May 14.
They would meet with the contractor the following day to compare the number of weather days
claimed by the contractor to ISE's records. Davis expected the records to be close.
Rorie asked Davis to focus on the next target for raising the lake to its highest possible level without
closing the valve. Davis said when the remainder of the foundation was completed,which should
be around April 13, the lake could be raised two feet. Rorie said he would be more comfortable
setting a date of April 20, noting it was based on weather. Davis showed how the project was
progressing with a diagram depicting which weirs had been poured. Fleisch pointed out that the
forms had to stay in place until the concrete was set, so it looked like less had been completed
than actually was the case.
Davis mentioned the bridge collapse in Miami earlier that day and noted that being in a hurry
could result in problems. It was worthwhile to take time and do things properly. He noted that the
spillway project was continually inspected for compliance.
A property owner had asked him about the height of the spillway, so Davis presented a depiction
showing the capability of the structure to pass water. He explained that the middle section looking
downstream was the lowest and would moderate the normal pool of the lake (78.5 feet).The next
section that stepped up was for larger storms, while the taller ones on the outside would handle
the "Noah's Ark storms." Someone on the lake in a canoe or kayak, approaching the spillway,
would see the piano key weir structure protruding approximately five feet above the water.
Davis said a group of elementary school students had visited the site recently, and he reported
some fun facts that were compiled to share with the children. There would be 3,840 cubic yards
of concrete in the spillway. Each concrete truck carried 7.5 cubic yards of concrete,which meant
512 truckloads of concrete would be brought to the site-enough to fill four two-story houses. The
spillway would weigh 15 million pounds, about as much as the entire population of Fayette
County, and would be capable of passing 100,000 gallons of water per second.
Rorie said Davis had been asked to update Council on spillway progress about every other month.
Things did not happen rapidly, but progress was obvious. Weather had been a factor, but the
contractor was making an effort to catch up. As part of the effort to address other lake-related
issues while the lake was down, the boat ramps were substantially completed except for
landscaping. Work on the island bridge was continuing as time and other priorities permitted. He
said the bridge was now shore to shore.
The Kedron Bridge piling painting was scheduled as well, Rorie noted, which meant lowering the
level of that lake. He said he had talked to the County about early renovations to the docks while
the lake level was down.
Rorie noted that he realized the vegetation in Lake Peachtree was starting to green up, and he
felt that would not be a problem if work remained on schedule. Rorie said work was in an
acceptable range for finishing near the projected dates.
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II Request for Open Container Zone/The Avenue
Rorie said staff had been working with Andrew Moth, property manager of The Avenue Peachtree
City, on a request to change the ordinances regarding open containers and public consumption
of alcohol and had asked Moth to come before Council to explain his request.
Moth said he was requesting an open container zone at The Avenue Peachtree City that would
allow guests to enjoy alcoholic beverages outside of restaurants and their patios. Moth
elaborated that they were requesting that customers ages 21 or older be allowed to purchase
one 16-ounce alcoholic beverage from a restaurant licensed to sell alcohol and carry that
beverage, in a designated container, through a specified area during normal business hours. He
showed a map with the alcohol consumption areas marked in blue, noting that these areas would
be sidewalks, crosswalks and common areas. The parking areas would be strictly prohibited.
This was not a way to sell more alcoholic beverages, Moth stated. Rather, management saw it as
a means to redevelop and grow. The Avenue Peachtree City was currently creating gathering
spaces and soft seating areas and would be installing public wireless Internet in the coming
months. They wanted to create a downtown atmosphere and attract new restaurants. Moth
showed a slide that indicated the location of the three restaurants at The Avenue that sold
alcohol, restating that the open-carry zone would not result in an increase in alcohol sales or
consumption because of the limited number of restaurants with alcohol permits.
Other cities that had adopted such a policy included Suwanee, Roswell, and Alpharetta, Moth
noted. Alpharetta had two open air consumption areas, one downtown and the other at Avalon,
a shopping area similar to The Avenue, but much larger. Moth said they envisioned a policy similar
to that of Avalon's and noted that Avalon and The Avenue were owned by the same firm,which
meant the company would have a strong grasp of the requirements and how to execute them.
He showed Alpharetta's ordinance and pointed out its similarities to what he was proposing. Moth
also presented a map of Roswell's carry district, which was restricted to a few streets downtown.
Their ordinance had the same requirements as Alpharetta's.
Moth realized security could be an issue and outlined what The Avenue already provided,
including the installation of 36 security cameras and constant coverage of a security guard.
Moth presented a copy of the proposal, along with a letter of support from the Peachtree City
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Fleisch asked how late The Avenue's restaurants were open. Moth said Monday-Thursday was until
10 p.m., Friday and Saturdays were 11 p.m., and Sunday hours were 12:30-10 p.m. King asked how
they would prevent people in golf carts from carrying beverages.Moth replied that golf carts were
considered to be the same as cars, noting that consumption in parking lots was absolutely
prohibited. After a drink was purchased, he said, there was four-hour time period in which it must
be consumed, and receipts were required to be shown upon request.
The Mayor asked Police Chief Janet Moon if a similar policy was in effect in Suwanee when she
worked there. Moon replied that it was, but that Suwanee's situation was very different,with mixed-
use retail and dwellings, along with a 10-acre amphitheater and outdoor art exhibits that gave
people somewhere to go.
Ernst was interested in the designated cups in which the alcoholic beverages would be sold. Moth
said the cups would have The Avenue logo on one side and the restaurant logo on the other.
Fleisch asked if Moth saw the creation of this district as a way to attract additional restaurants,
and Moth confirmed this was so, adding he hoped it would attract quality restaurants. He noted
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Page 8
they were planning on a number of renovations to create a downtown-type atmosphere with fire
pits and areas for musical entertainment.
Fleisch thanked Moth for attending the meeting and explaining his request.
Executive Session
King moved to convene in executive session for threatened or pending litigation at 7:42 p.m. Ernst
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ernst moved to reconvene in regular session at 8:23 p.m. King seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
There being no further business to discuss, Ernst moved to adjourn the meeting. Prebor seconded.
f\ Motion arried unanimous) The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
artha Ba •a e, Recording Secretary Vanessa Fleisc�Tvfayor