[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6681616,"mediaKeyId","2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686","parentId",2292382,"title","Council debates zoning and permitting fee schedule; backyard-chicken fee and transition from Cobb County draw scrutiny","audioSeconds",1354,"startMs",2865380,"endMs",4220025,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686&start=2865&end=4220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686/thumbnail_2865380.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6681616/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-debates-zoning-and-permitting-fee-schedule-backyard-chicken-fee-and-transition-from-Cobb-County-draw-scrutiny","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681616-16df813f3a4990ac8ec885a325b2e08b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140956&Signature=kwLwpzXuo8jrInSI8bzb2vIGuznJFfbJI7oSQcBQxt4WtJasiQVys4oGFAZgEmkvEiq6fe~Ys4zzO2tIyYqxqbZ4DUq9LTe2NK0Ucf2BcznWZVn0U3-BY9T~ihNxvK~GfNc0uhLDqj6WucMtpfoeAFcWPem0UOVZF0hJXSmsgaIJhYwb1w-~Y9pncl2yO0jNbGaWwqIvHHK2ALn2ONM8N3nVkq9ubfezffAr9AVlR07mIVsUdOI6B-Q6ZNIO0R1Y~y~e2dTmoEx4IsPNyswDlQv4gcsOAnLYHxrtJrqJYe1cxLxHMczNPboQYf-K~LVx88HbwU~g~mnQhIeOPWOjJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mableton City","date","2025-02-13T02:09:36.867Z","article","At its Feb. 12 meeting the Mableton City Council held a detailed first-read discussion of a proposed ordinance that would set the city’s zoning and permitting fee schedule. Council members focused on a $100 permit listed for backyard chickens, the sequence of county-to-city zoning responsibilities, and the need to confirm whether the draft fees mirror Cobb County’s prior fee structure.

Councilmember T.J. Ferguson asked that the $100 backyard-chicken permit be removed from the fee schedule, calling the amount “dumb” and noting that Cobb County does not assess that fee. Several council members said they had not had sufficient time to review recent updates to the agenda packet and asked staff and the attorney to confirm the source of each fee. The city attorney said the packet included supplemental information provided by staff (Rob) and that staff’s stated intent was to mirror the county’s schedule.

The city attorney reviewed relevant county regulations on backyard chickens in the meeting record: under the county code a permit is required for properties under two acres, only hens are allowed, owners must maintain fenced coops behind the house, there is a suggested ratio (one chicken per 5,000 square feet for lots under two acres), on-site slaughter is prohibited, and the Community Development Director would develop the application form. The attorney summarized the county approach and explained how the fee would operate in practice: “So you pay that $100 fee to get this approval, and then once you have the approval, you don't have to renew this every year.”

Council members requested a comparative analysis of fees in comparable Georgia cities and asked staff to confirm whether the draft schedule accurately reflects county amounts. The attorney and staff committed to: (a) confirm whether the amounts came directly from Cobb County schedules; (b) provide copies of the county documents used as the basis for the proposed fees; and (c) research whether the backyard-chicken permit should be annual, one-time or removed.

Because Cobb County stopped accepting certain zoning applications in January during the transition, staff also told the council they will present a temporary moratorium at the Feb. 26 meeting to pause acceptance of new zoning applications and permit filings until the city adopts the fee schedule. The attorney said the moratorium would prevent the city from having to convene a special meeting to meet publication requirements and the Zoning Procedures Act deadlines; staff proposed a second read and public hearing timeline that would culminate in final adoption on March 12, with a public hearing on March 10 if the schedule proceeds as planned.

Councilmembers agreed to review the packet and submit suggested changes before the next readings. No final adoption occurred on Feb. 12; the item remained a first read with staff follow-up directed by the attorney and community-development staff.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Mableton - City Council Meeting - February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During a first read on Feb. 12, Mableton City Council members questioned a $100 backyard-chicken permit in a proposed zoning and permitting fee schedule, asked staff to confirm whether the draft mirrored Cobb County’s fees, and were told staff will propose a temporary moratorium on new applications to bridge the county-to-city transition.","taxTitle","Mableton City, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",55728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681620,"Residents urge city action after drifting, racing tied to auto-hangar on Harris Street",680,1954475,2634815,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686&start=1954&end=2634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686/thumbnail_1954475.jpg","/articles/6681620/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-city-action-after-drifting-racing-tied-to-auto-hangar-on-Harris-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681620-6d41cb5c9b6f3b5c160c4735c99d32c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140956&Signature=ltEVUN3TUz7qaFfs4vev8x-wj99uU5fn7w6FXDiNFZFDmS~QnGBYTw-WAFNV0f2YUDxRM8A5RWOMC0AFheBmtKHTHGGBpkVzLEwhJ667siMKAnrO5ehlsX2ju6Q2BTKPxuBx3eB96M~Eu-yVXHTkMBZRlqbL6QvyeXQXT4KqEWHozpcyXbVdYIuoPDKheEtNV7brRUwlIBGjPHyU4DxepUwnJxYo-zY3JeCfoz3XZPII33oVk5bduYADlwNvr6D9-N7X6GQ4~8QtcH2ycTGzK1Zhl9gTePL6zFR4y~0T9vZN~C4vR5ad5eT1kUMw0maeFfZxTaH34d4tjeWHb0mQzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of a small Harris Street neighborhood told the Mableton City Council on Feb. 12 that a new auto-hangar event venue at the end of their street is generating repeated illegal speeding, drifting and loud exhaust noise late into the night — and they urged the city to act.

The public-comment speakers said the business, which lists its city business license type as “entertainment, meeting and special event organizer,” has hosted drifting and “doughnut” events that bring hundreds or thousands of cars and spectators into the area. Joanna Connor, who identified herself as “a resident of Mableton,” said she has documented the activity and provided video links, and told the council, “I'm just afraid that's gonna lead to someone getting killed in that building.”

Teacher Brielle Toomey described traffic and safety hazards for neighbors and her elderly grandmother. “These cars have been videoed by residents in the neighborhood running stop signs and passing one another at extreme speeds,” she said, and added that the loud backfires from modified exhausts “sound like gunshots” as late as 1 a.m. Kathy Evans, whose church is on Harris Street, said the building has minimal frontage and that the noise and traffic disrupt church services and make it difficult for elderly members to enter and exit safely. John Toomey described a near-miss involving a 4-year-old: “That Camaro never stopped, and that girl about got hit.”

Speakers told council members they had contacted Cobb County during the county review process; Connor said a county special-land-use application for a wrecker/auto salvage yard had included reasons it would be denied before that county application was withdrawn. Several speakers said the venue maintains an Instagram account under a name they cited and urged the council to review the license, zoning status and any pending county records; they provided videos and asked the city to prevent harm to residents and churchgoers.

The transcript shows the public comments were acknowledged by the clerk and the council resumed the regular agenda; no formal council enforcement action or referral on the item was recorded on the Feb. 12 docket. Council members and staff discussed zoning and permitting elsewhere on the agenda, including a broader transition of zoning services from Cobb County to the City of Mableton, which the community commenters cited as relevant to enforcement and permitting timelines.

The residents who spoke were Joanna Connor, Brielle Toomey, Cathy (Kathy) Evans and John Toomey; each gave specific incidents, video sources and safety concerns. The record indicates the city clerk accepted supplemental materials from at least one speaker for the council’s consideration.

Questions remain about the venue’s current local zoning status and whether the county or the city will pursue enforcement; speakers said a county land-use application was submitted and later withdrawn, and that business licensing listed “entertainment, meeting and special event organizer” rather than a motorsport use. The transcript does not record any immediate follow-up motion, referral to staff, or formal enforcement vote during the meeting.

Residents may pursue follow-up with the city clerk or code-enforcement staff; the transcript shows the council moved on to other agenda items after public comment.

","Neighbors and church members told the Mableton City Council that a new auto-hangar event venue on Harris Street has generated loud, dangerous drifting and racing that they say threatens public safety and disrupts church services. Speakers asked the council to review licensing and zoning and said they had given the clerk evidence including videos.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681604,"Council adopts procedure allowing government representatives to request speaking time, sets 30-minute cap for the section",698,5417945,6116810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686&start=5417&end=6116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686/thumbnail_5417945.jpg","/articles/6681604/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-adopts-procedure-allowing-government-representatives-to-request-speaking-time-sets-30-minute-cap-for-the-section","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681604-d1c543a264bf3d2454d6c7e78e13cd0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140956&Signature=DDDDsEiCYG1Ur1jXXrjeiS7LZB862K9vyE6v~XgvcmX2rTtWgG1-ls6cMA3a7IVefdHr7X2qkPA300DbZnQO2gnI7akmmEzDrUnjchEYKvZN5uf8Kdf6tRIwTlRPdcQsZx5Yw3gGnSOLPRnXUUZhPfcHrHPZiqeU54SJzDsRXUF5VNWCzlBNH5JJxUgV1Kk5CQbhKJiVEH4xOSWXJ5WZz22yPKhXa-wBf9Ub6xNez73YqsIim653sA4fH-X6tMib84Lp6LU3ZINZr071dM2Zyd6-ZkBupNINBmggur7GtlEhgJQm5qj6wF~l45m1TDomZ5C-pPxsh6zXGgjKRYwoCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mableton City Council approved a resolution on Feb. 12 that establishes a process for government representatives (county, state or other government agencies) to request speaking opportunities at council meetings. The resolution requires advance notice, limits presenters to an initial five minutes, and allows additional time for council questions if the presiding officer (the mayor) and council approve.

During discussion Councilmember T.J. Ferguson asked for a ceiling on the total time allowed for the agenda section so that the meeting would not be monopolized by outside presentations. Councilmembers debated whether a 20- or 30-minute cap would be appropriate. The council ultimately approved a motion to adopt the procedure with a 30-minute limit for the section on the agenda; members clarified that the initial allocation for each approved speaker remains five minutes, and that the mayor will schedule presentations so the total section does not exceed the cap.

The motion was moved, amended to reflect the 30-minute limit, and approved by voice vote. The attorney was authorized to make conforming language edits. Council members said the approach mirrors the public-comment time-cap concept and preserves the council’s discretion in approving agenda items.

","The Mableton City Council approved a resolution creating a standard procedure for government representatives to request speaking opportunities at council meetings, allocating five minutes per presenter and a 30-minute cap for the agenda section unless the council approves more time.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681608,"Council reappoints Jason Gaines as chair of Mableton Development Authority",110,1783340,1893720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686&start=1783&end=1893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686/thumbnail_1783340.jpg","/articles/6681608/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-reappoints-Jason-Gaines-as-chair-of-Mableton-Development-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681608-d9941cdf9e8db5bf8f62b6cbab2bb916/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140956&Signature=gdp-TdZp5UbV6Agon2yT35ElCSJICr-jLB4T2i4yXO1iO~8YWgFp5L0Ut7KmvrCqFuRbIrHEnu-x692k2Nt2DuMXt3NddyVjihvkeMPI9wq6gxOwqImN8Sbmn9i1IBeJsVcHcKra1yMTtB-s3lak4VfLy-8t6-WTu~zuvw60R8eot7QFK-Hi35gV1PZqj6Zl2o96F5zGxjMzisFv2C2nVocyAXDmvsMoI71y8Ry9fdiD~XZ0lpSZTgXXCJlD8QoLmtJ6BMGxuj2MLA4jy4Qa3kMd-ooJPYCkDdcRz4~Xb0qEZy5TIOoCtoFQCrgHOIJxU0VaVQ-dFnaUepAjz~9~RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mableton City Council on Feb. 12 approved a resolution appointing Jason Gaines as chair of the Mableton Development Authority (MDA). The mayor introduced Gaines’s resume and said he had served as board chair for several years; a councilmember moved for appointment and another seconded. The motion carried with no recorded opposition.

During discussion, one councilmember said she gave her “100% backing” for Gaines in the role. The mayor said Gaines was not present at the meeting and that staff would notify him of the reappointment and his responsibilities.

The Mableton Development Authority is the successor entity to the former Southcott Redevelopment Authority and gives the council appointment authority for the MDA board. The resolution approved Feb. 12 records the council’s choice for board leadership; no implementation details or terms of appointment were discussed in the meeting transcript.

","The Mableton City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 12 reappointing Jason Gaines as chair of the Mableton Development Authority; the mayor noted Gaines was not present but would be informed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":102,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681612,"Council adopts ordinance creating city elections procedures (second reading approved)",2754280,2865140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686&start=2754&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292382-0dab504bff1dc557760a77cf0057e686/thumbnail_2754280.jpg","/articles/6681612/Mableton-City/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-adopts-ordinance-creating-city-elections-procedures-second-reading-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681612-9c57aaaf765cd6642f2cf851800b49a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140956&Signature=McfpQcEVXjlcReBsUWOw9tO0-F8j9kXL1d0ojMiXfSAwr2vgupMtZ~R59WVVV7dmtO1b6Jbw6Pqk9f4CE8udMimWq~qSB4B~pHDjEJgUQgbEsVfnKC4lglcTJN3-~kWblaVXKpbg6xotq6LRgEoywB4~1BSsuv8BPlgFxfZ-cZghrQzXbg8h83ZPkH-G0IlvcBjEaWyA9iNdUWlt3bpeQRD0ygii69DGeDagj1n7SCXXuHN~dIFpXFdqRIwWOMBP-PZvsVjIVizC9MBxqlWWYC9l82~A1u7CShzsFeIXIkG-UUSPxzBebbePi0Td--tzfOvHLwCSZfh3lni~iDcOFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mableton City Council voted on Feb. 12 to approve the second reading of an ordinance that creates Article 2 (Elections) under Chapter 2 (Administration) of the City of Mableton Code of Ordinances. The ordinance sets out how the city will administer its elections and the process for working with Cobb County on election administration.

Council discussion on second reading was brief. One member asked whether the ordinance would require frequent updates; staff and council members said that, absent substantive legal or procedural changes, the city should not anticipate repeated amendments. The council approved the motion on second reading with no recorded opposition.

The transcript records the motion to approve and a second; the mayor called the question and the members present voted in favor. The clerk recorded no nays on second reading. The council identified that future minor adjustments could be made if the county or state rules change.

","On second reading the council approved an ordinance establishing Article 2 (Elections) under Chapter 2 (Administration) of the Mableton Code of Ordinances to govern how the city will conduct elections; council members said the ordinance should not require frequent updates unless substantive changes arise.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates zoning and permitting fee schedule; backyard-chicken fee and transition from Cobb County draw scrutiny

Residents urge city action after drifting, racing tied to auto-hangar on Harris Street

Council adopts procedure allowing government representatives to request speaking time, sets 30-minute cap for the section

Council reappoints Jason Gaines as chair of Mableton Development Authority

Council adopts ordinance creating city elections procedures (second reading approved)