[{"_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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6309238,"mediaKeyId","2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69","parentId",2413664,"title","Heated public hearing on proposed 195,000 sq ft Roosevelt Highway warehouse; council keeps decision for March","audioSeconds",842,"startMs",12092000,"endMs",12934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69&start=12092&end=12934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69/thumbnail_12092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309238/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Heated-public-hearing-on-proposed-195000-sq-ft-Roosevelt-Highway-warehouse-council-keeps-decision-for-March","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309238-3b322b5cf2ebdad3085a2fa8e0b27972/orig.mp4?Expires=1775231316&Signature=NrJLJF5Zn9J3XSB2Ul~EQmZ9IOh5-duR-JVJb-Xed5HtpJguo9jJjFx3S-aGtj5vuuoYyHWBKjCeOYotNYhmQ34tr~sl-yEEMZLOyPpE3UC2ALyzXnl7ySaKbzGbcoSnLvkKnIlq8bnV8FcbIqV6O21M8qVG~Hz2hPD4Nmi3CSPRbfOlz1ZVvVNFzsQ~x7Ib3o4bBEE2loghACnI9-ReQlcddshnjM8OVfej-AFKOThEE7AmZyR5u2PTw6WCFmT5Ig2gPGPhBRQmobjCe4nvwOA2Dg2JcWF721jNPON0oGLaLByXgS2LJxmnbi7CAh2QXV2iZOV0E7dRMJvijhX7Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T06:15:55Z","article","A public hearing on Feb. 25 drew more than a dozen residents and speakers after KMT Partners sought to rezone several parcels along Roosevelt Highway to M‑1 (light industrial) for a proposed 195,000‑square‑foot warehouse/distribution facility.

The applicant, Greg Bowler of KMT Partners, said the site is consistent with the city’s industrial corridors and the Future Land Use Map’s industrial designation; he told council the project would create roughly 150–200 jobs and increase annual tax revenues materially for the site. The applicant said a preliminary traffic and signal‑warrant analysis will be completed and that, although traffic volumes alone did not meet a signal warrant, crash history on Roosevelt Highway did support consideration of a traffic signal; the applicant said he would work with the city and GDOT to pursue a signal at the intersection with South Fulton Parkway.

More than a dozen residents and community leaders opposed the rezoning. Speakers repeatedly cited public‑safety concerns at the Roosevelt Highway / South Fulton Parkway intersection, railroad crossings that can delay traffic, proximity of single‑family homes and apartments within 1,000 feet of the site, stormwater and stream buffer impacts for upstream Lake Royale, and the effect of more heavy trucks on neighborhood quality of life. Several speakers asked council to deny or slow rezoning until traffic signal funding and stormwater mitigation are confirmed.

Planning staff noted the applicant removed a concurrent variance request during the process and recommended approval; the Planning Commission had recommended approval. The hearing included back‑and‑forth about whether developer outreach had reached all affected districts; the applicant said he conducted a public participation meeting, followed by an in‑person meeting at Welcome All Park to address concerns and that notices were mailed to addresses within a one‑mile radius per city procedure.

Council did not vote that night on the rezoning; the item was announced for final action at the March meeting so councilmembers could review the updated traffic analysis, additional public feedback and any recommended conditions.

Ending: The council kept the matter open and scheduled final action at the March 19/25 meeting (applicant to provide finalized traffic warrant report and staff to follow up on notices and stormwater/stream buffer questions).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 02/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","KMT Partners’ proposal to rezone several parcels on Roosevelt Highway for a 195,000‑square‑foot light industrial warehouse prompted a lengthy Feb. 25 public hearing marked by residents’ safety and traffic concerns; council deferred final action for additional analysis.","taxTitle","South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2961,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6309243,"Council hears kickoff for mandatory impact‑fee study; public advisory committee planned",518,8543000,9061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69&start=8543&end=9061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69/thumbnail_8543000.jpg","/articles/6309243/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-hears-kickoff-for-mandatory-impactfee-study-public-advisory-committee-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309243-c942f6cf4eadbef0158fe9c18d309721/orig.mp4?Expires=1775231316&Signature=a-FK2AdwcQOyRtQ-qsfMvLoiLCsfQLRgLtOWf4dYdA4lQblMzjRY7sy13eOWaJmkvDmPJ3uH1U8zSK2VbbP2zcVDIbuqM0sX1oJeWHcPmYjob8m9EW7gcjjM2vJJgI7Fkts~FFFtVKBBDI4IRY8lD1LluKSeeGJ3UyVBT8W8Pbl4ifd85BBBJRuza5pvhWBzdWo0SBL8VbLZBKz3sszaRiJ~T3173AVDHLFGavXAGCQ0zTNaC8hHzA8p5G4C~1nV6ZivFLoHKAH82ayHygSZ3TnGBjqp-3q7~mlzVp4tw2OIQttfSVtLaM7u8rIZaTcOER~IZGrnupM4b3x4EnCJaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paige Hatley of a firm specializing in impact‑fee studies told South Fulton City Council during a public hearing on Feb. 25 that the city has begun a mandatory kickoff to study a possible development impact‑fee program under Georgia’s Development Impact Fee Act (DIFA).

Hatley outlined the study components: a methodology report (technical calculations and the maximum fee schedule), a capital improvements element (CIE) that inventory projects to 2050, and a draft development impact‑fee ordinance. The CIE must be reviewed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) if adopted and is typically aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan update.

Hatley said South Fulton is limiting the study to fee‑eligible capital categories allowed by state law for cities: parks, public safety (fire and police) and road capacity projects such as widenings and roundabouts. The study will exclude routine maintenance, staffing or routine equipment replacement, but can include capital expansions (for example, additional fire station square footage or specialized vehicles).

The consultant explained the process for determining a maximum fee schedule (the legal ceiling for fees) and described the state‑required advisory committee. DCA rules require an advisory panel of five to ten members and at least half of the membership must be from the local development community (builders, developers, real‑estate interests). Hatley said the committee is advisory and the council appoints members; the firm will schedule public hearings on the CIE and the ordinance at the proper stage.

Council members asked whether the study is already underway; staff said inventory work and departmental data collection have begun. Hatley said the methodology report is the heavy lifting and typically takes four to six months; the full process is often a year. No fees or program decisions were made at the hearing; the item served as the statutorily required public kickoff to collect initial public input.

Ending: Staff will form the required advisory committee and post public notices for the study; the consultant will collect additional departmental data and return recommended methodology and CIE documents for council review and later DCA review.","Consultant Paige Hatley outlined the scope of a Georgia Development Impact Fee Act (DIFA) study the city will use to analyze charges for parks, police, fire and road‑capacity projects; the study includes a methodology report, a capital improvements element and DCA review; an advisory committee with development‑industry representation is required.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6309248,"Nonprofit and manufacturers pitch green modular housing and apprenticeships to South Fulton council",766,3034000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69&start=3034&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69/thumbnail_3034000.jpg","/articles/6309248/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Nonprofit-and-manufacturers-pitch-green-modular-housing-and-apprenticeships-to-South-Fulton-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309248-f0dfde31c78b59786580737ab1f8d44e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775231316&Signature=XVS5EoHHNsxbZYgMBmlF79bj49PM-6Y0WPqP6v20J4zxddCtK3KDErK4jEvTIWRWh-uKgMmD~uy6jRaGAJuwOrLlVYOIbLviiek5uH2IxbR~FrUFQo7W0XEna6d8AhPeYj~uHickwky2B0pkylUPHawTRIX~GlnySM1BPQDAR4iUHfXKOnJqysusKuiRk1S9jxDumUbYimZ2PpEpvjIqhh6tdMXWfe18-C9wXvhMHBYIpt7cUgiJ2r9-yraBoMvFBIY2qJHujhGn7l9TbNT3yUV0jGqHc567wL3WNPTMV~ndJOnvYh2asa-G8MNOD8xgMAqLpZAIPGQE98yxsPX4hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several nonprofit and private groups told the City Council on Feb. 25 they are developing modular, low‑carbon building materials and a local workforce pipeline and asked the city to consider zoning and procurement changes to support green manufacturing and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development.

Dr. Deborah Clark, founder of Green Shades Foundation, introduced the group and said the organization already runs a weekly outreach program serving more than 700 unsheltered people. She described partners working on a 15,000‑square‑foot modular housing production operation and an apprenticeship program tied to nationally recognized certifications.

Tyrone Williams of Evolve Green Technology described insulated structural panels and modular building systems that the presenters say are water‑, fire‑ and termite‑resistant and suitable for rapid factory construction. Warren Crawley (ADU Depot) showed a 200‑square‑foot ADU model built from recycled materials and said a comparable unit cost him about $10,000 to build in a demonstration—he and others emphasized that units can be scaled upward for workforce and affordable housing supply.

Representatives from United Youth of America described a training and apprenticeship model that uses virtual reality and earn‑as‑you‑learn on‑the‑job components to prepare local labor for construction jobs and project management roles. Presenters said they plan local factories in Georgia and that some pilot projects are under way in Albany and DeKalb County.

Council members asked staff whether the products and building methods are currently legal under South Fulton code; the citybuilding official said changes to the zoning and building code would be required before permitting certain modular or container‑based housing. Councilmembers encouraged the group to present specific zoning language and funding strategies; Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett said the group should return with concrete funding proposals so the city and partners can assess options including grants and incentives.

Ending: City staff will review code and permitting implications and follow up with the presenters and with council members on potential amendments and pilot opportunities.","Green Shades Foundation, Evolve Green Technology and partners presented modular, net‑zero building materials and an apprenticeship plan to train local workers and produce affordable housing; council referred zoning and code questions to staff.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6309253,"South Fulton officials present draft strategic plan after citywide surveys and citizen action committee work",1085,521000,1606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69&start=521&end=1606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6309253/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-officials-present-draft-strategic-plan-after-citywide-surveys-and-citizen-action-committee-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309253-a30f443ffdb49e6b25b8cdc506eb11fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775231316&Signature=SuTb3ovYXZ9nrXtJ0-sORHPxWUyohnykbcDLZg6ISJ-2rSmPVAQ9rWpkFJmHaT6JZFHKMUNMSBvrc-B4daXG1atNWEvcH2uo3NoW29j9JuOgxFePXk-nuX6KNiOVOFpKa-6~QJisDW44MegVIv~B-Qe2LHbWh1ib3ot1xBcSAJfSN6DBY9HmJrZyFSZ76bKL9NGk-5OQ3XICk25fJ9Knn3VW17jy6-kBTUkbBRMkfezxval2Tf~SWnAAw0ba6j70nKdGpxni60Pnhu616~Jvl9H7ZWCsxioqRt3TbidHZGltLi9NIyV6y4B3FENlsB8RT4aTnpcPtnpcYd1a0WbMKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Sharon D. Subadan and consultant Lionel Savage presented a draft update to South Fulton’s strategic plan at the City Council work session on Feb. 25, 2025, asking council members to review a final draft before the next meeting and to provide feedback for adoption.

Savage told the council the planning team ran a “Voice: Your Voice Matters” survey released June 13 and received about 2,500 completed responses. He described the work of a 16-member Citizen Action Committee that produced qualitative input and 12 hours of recorded conversations that staff used to shape four aspirational goals in the draft plan.

The consultant said the process included review of the 2020–23 survey data, four town halls, six community gatherings and six citizen action committee meetings. Savage recommended establishing district-level citizen committees, building a public-facing dashboard, and adopting departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.

Council members pressed for specifics. Dr. Catherine Rao asked whether dashboard reporting and cadence would be public; Savage and the city manager said department-level KPIs will be produced and the ultimate goal is an outward-facing website dashboard. Councilmember Keosha B. Bell and others asked whether the survey could be reopened and whether it could be shortened; staff said the online survey remains open and the city plans continued outreach, including QR codes in newsletters and texting strategies.

Councilmember J.C. Sebastian and others recommended repeating the survey at a future, consistent interval to provide a time‑series baseline for measures such as citizen satisfaction. Several council members also urged the administration to consolidate demographic baselines so press releases and public materials use consistent population figures for the city.

City Manager Subadan said the draft plan will be returned for final adoption at the next council meeting; she emphasized that the strategic plan is an aspirational, living roadmap that departments will translate into projects and KPIs. Savage said the consultant team will finalize the draft and recommended expanding the Citizen Action Committee to include a committee per district for deeper engagement.

Council members suggested additional rollout activities and asked staff to provide a clear adoption timeline so initiatives can be aligned with the next budget cycle.

Ending: Subadan said the administration will collect council edits on the draft, return a revised plan at the next meeting and work on a community rollout and KPI framework after adoption.","City manager and consultant Lionel Savage presented a draft strategic plan to City Council after a year of surveys, four town halls and six citizen action committee meetings; council members asked for dashboards, KPIs and a community rollout before adoption.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_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":56,"_73":56},6309233,"Council approves FY25 budget amendment and directs staff to negotiate Merck Mile rates after resident outcry",600,23040000,23640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69&start=23040&end=23640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413664-a1cf59b0a5f9e5fd7ddbd6dfab822d69/thumbnail_23040000.jpg","/articles/6309233/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-approves-FY25-budget-amendment-and-directs-staff-to-negotiate-Merck-Mile-rates-after-resident-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309233-f983127cb375aca3e0c23d129effc2e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775231316&Signature=Yri1TwgIT8fYitgF58sdZos1acaTzH~oBOKiEw7a4sR1WKfBnd00J2Hw9hC4C~IwccdiT3e8TpGDBi8aKDs9SR56yoY~fQNMY8m69zGqoWFcda3HB~2xIKZuBM-oqgQDaQ6twumemBVF0osyVi066z5rH6ZnsClYdEmKVC2reJKxX7GU7kE2rN2k0J8fUkYHoi6Ufjmual6mnmiRcjZ25YhQ3lXUPZwVvsJPkKdJPjD6lZDpy-3UOAunVKyTU5JhFWfCvtwLOVBFAFXXRK2lmBtMZLrqdn63GeV-cC5hskyC8c5fQ7kMcDjm3YCANAUxtGsCjeG9mq3YdmZ0HtBulQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on Feb. 25 approved a fiscal‑year‑2025 budget amendment to increase general and sanitation fund appropriations for capital investments and operational needs, after staff explained the amendment funds fire apparatus, facility repairs and sanitation capital items.

The council approved an amendment that increases the city’s FY25 budget by $7,376,760 to cover infrastructure, equipment and transfer items. Substantial elements cited in the discussion included capital repairs and vehicle purchases tied to public safety and transfers to fund Merck Mile improvements and operations.

Separately, council debated a resident request to restore lower resident fees for the Merck Mile Citizen Convenience Center. Residents complained they now face higher costs after the city kept the per‑visit fee at $10 but reduced the weight allowance, creating effective price increases for typical household bulk loads. Several residents and advocates urged council to return to a $10 charge for up to 360 pounds for residents and to leave nonresident charges unchanged.

Council considered a motion to direct staff to negotiate a resident rate of $10 for up to 360 pounds and keep nonresident fees at $20 for up to 150 pounds; that specific motion failed. Council then approved a motion authorizing the city manager to negotiate rates for Merck Mile and return with recommendations — the manager was tasked with providing a recommendation based on vendor data and fiscal impact. Staff said vendor and transaction data will be analyzed further to separate resident from commercial/nonresident users and to confirm operational costs before any permanent rate change.

Ending: The FY25 budget amendment passed unanimously. Staff will return with a data‑driven recommendation on Merck Mile residential and nonresident rates and report back to council with options for FY26.","Council approved a FY25 budget amendment that includes capital and vehicle funding for sanitation operations and directed the city manager to negotiate resident and nonresident rates for the Merck Mile citizen convenience center after public complaints about weight limits and fees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Heated public hearing on proposed 195,000 sq ft Roosevelt Highway warehouse; council keeps decision for March

Council hears kickoff for mandatory impact‑fee study; public advisory committee planned

Nonprofit and manufacturers pitch green modular housing and apprenticeships to South Fulton council

South Fulton officials present draft strategic plan after citywide surveys and citizen action committee work

Council approves FY25 budget amendment and directs staff to negotiate Merck Mile rates after resident outcry