[{"_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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6611276,"mediaKeyId","2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95","parentId",2898477,"title","City staff summarizes 2025 state legislative session; several bills pass, others stalled","audioSeconds",966,"startMs",1260000,"endMs",2226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95&start=1260&end=2226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611276/Marietta/Cobb-County/Georgia/City-staff-summarizes-2025-state-legislative-session-several-bills-pass-others-stalled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611276-5a1f665de14964b3c60a3bbe57cee61e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190046&Signature=BCkitjGmk6bwGOEu9LIeUXAQqsrZU8CD~AiQhxp~~GJdozl6HIShRvs9AlKoiyJA63CYFtTrKiDHwT2X-2JG6ul-T91gCVbAOuS2IIKoYiYR4DctlllF77qORAdZsd9-v9OjcDkrNtzQJY-Ye0FEqQFi0iRh1NEAJ41aPZ6GWcBRspu6ORaRfHVXesI7SiZfumGxDAwGEwRd0mfw~d4KiMkaZOIzaIlam2wcRi1OplZUZsf4EMhpdWZAKF3zxKqT1cvYKkdbsGZNLeL6S4jHDJXO4Xzywh0W-mx~hP26Fa599L1nkTMmhujt~k1N8fVB~EsiE8CME-IQG5z6bERRZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marietta","date","2025-04-07T17:15:00Z","article","City staff provided a legislative wrap-up after the state session ended, reviewing bills that passed, those that failed to advance and items the city should monitor in the coming year.

Staff said that high-profile items that did not pass included proposals to expand municipal sovereign immunity and bills creating an interagency council for homelessness. Staff also summarized several measures that passed the legislature and now await the governor\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's decision period, typically 40 days, including:

- Senate Bill 12: Clarifies that open records requests should be sent to the government entity that holds the record rather than to private contractors who may have performed work on a contract.
- Senate Bill 298: Provides a direct right of appeal to superior court for municipalities, counties and the state in certain adverse immunity rulings.
- House Bill 399: Requires out-of-state landlords who own single-family or duplex rentals to have at least one in-state employee who can respond to inquiries.
- House Bill 137: Raises exemption bidding thresholds to $250,000 (previously $100,000) to assist public works procurement.
- House Bill 155: Adjusts annexation dispute resolution and clarifies zoning procedures (language consolidated from other bills during session).
- Senate Bill 68: A package of tort reform measures approved by the legislature.

Staff also highlighted bills that did not pass or were tabled, including several annexation measures (HB 387, HB 521, HB 523), House Bill 225 and House Bill 651 (both related to speed zone cameras in school zones), and House Bill 268 (making it a crime to interfere with a first responder while performing duties), among others. Several proposed changes to regulations affecting unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence and franchise fees will be monitored in study committees this summer.

Council members asked for follow-up on how particular bills would interact with local ordinances and on whether items such as the floating homestead exemption (HB 92) would require further city action; staff said they would coordinate with the city attorney and return updated guidance. Staff emphasized that passage does not become law until the governor acts and that some passed provisions may still change through the governor's review or legal challenge.

No formal council action was taken on the wrap-up; staff said it would distribute an updated bill list and follow up with the city attorney on questions raised at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marietta - CITY COUNCIL AGENDA WORK SESSION on 2025-04-07 5:15 PM - Apr 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff summarized outcomes from the recently ended state legislative session, identifying passed measures (including open records and tort reform bills) and several bills that failed or were tabled; staff flagged a number of items to monitor next year.","taxTitle","Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",3937,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_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":73,"_74":73},6611281,"Marietta utilities report stable revenues, drought concerns and federal court win for Atlanta-area water allocations",0,199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95&start=199&end=199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6611281/Marietta/Cobb-County/Georgia/Marietta-utilities-report-stable-revenues-drought-concerns-and-federal-court-win-for-Atlanta-area-water-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611281-ba209830ad8b546f8a790420223a8006/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190046&Signature=owlE3B1ndQQb-UtE2F6Gjerx~S01zAoqec1MVet6AWZ0X3Kd5YdM6QprXxsA1XJm4zSuziRthYs1Vd2ZOJyD4j4hcxPSW3atLbV0fCYSRjhQbvs25PJDR94BMxShmMbFTfMQGMCNtVTGFn8hGewdv4pjapfufAEgCszQ~RYy7xbQ7Iej2UzTlqBCeU7RY33JA7AYVa6jR9ExIXUG1D0HaRPh7rt6fWXeu72H4nc9TXOGWa6IotxSfe9-mJAkQXAD6CsAavzq-TnHa7k9ERBaQIonNCh-zBPnbi3H-QR-LFfFtEhkT~i-oRxtZYVKWT4~vug9Z6rWQSAZgZXYc1Dflw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported that water sales for the reporting month averaged about 68 million gallons per day, slightly above budget, and that water sales revenue for the month was roughly $7 million—about $20,000 below budget. Net income and year-to-date capital spending were presented; staff reported approximately $65 million in cash reserves held for capital improvement projects as of the close of the financial report.

Staff also said year-to-date average rainfall recorded by the water authority was about 7.6 inches in February, roughly 44% below the prior-year comparison, and warned the authority is projecting a substantial drought this year. Officials noted nine active pipeline projects and three facilities projects in progress, plus one bid out and nine unfunded EPA-related mandates.

On legal developments, staff summarized a recent federal court decision in a long-running water dispute among Georgia, Florida and Alabama. A federal judge upheld the Army Corps of Engineers\u0000decision to grant Metro Atlanta increased allocations from Lake Allatoona, a ruling the city said will allow Metro Atlanta\u0000to count certain return flows against usage and thereby affect supply calculations. The staff summary noted that the decision supports the Corps\u00002021 allocation and includes the Army Corps, the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Cobb-Marietta Water Authority among the parties upheld by the court.

In electric utility matters reported by BLW staff, February generation and resource metrics were reviewed: the utility ran slightly favorable to plan on kilowatt-hour production and had several plants out for scheduled refueling (Vogtle 2, Hatch 2, Wansley and Addison); staff said most units were scheduled to return imminently. The budget and rates committee reported the committee approved a 3.5% increase to wastewater rates that is a passthrough from Cobb County and will be passed on to city customers; staff described this as roughly a $1.25 monthly increase on average wastewater bills.

No formal council action was required for the financial presentations, but council members asked staff to track drought indicators and noted the legal decision\u0000as material context for regional water planning.","City staff reported near-budget water sales and robust capital reserves but warned of drought risk; meeting included a summary of a federal court decision upholding Army Corps allocations from Lake Allatoona that affects the Marietta/Cobb County water authority.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6611287,"Squares LLC seeks rezoning at 29 Doran Avenue; applicant reduces townhome count to five",490,3620000,4110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95&start=3620&end=4110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95/thumbnail_3620000.jpg","/articles/6611287/Marietta/Cobb-County/Georgia/Squares-LLC-seeks-rezoning-at-29-Doran-Avenue-applicant-reduces-townhome-count-to-five","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611287-05974bbacc77984340485041ec4d238b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190046&Signature=iYTAmUxjOBp0c6yUCK8diQJKhKR88jqrF88lAEYhnl2X4LFuZNiA8Gl0mhlPe5VbNqcxORh5XF49iGhqr51ghF7fSnDNsMOoW4HuO~mEfNY~Y7RWt1rm1bG7-RDq6nJUdMTK8TN37VimqBMYjMTWjQTXcgN-APw2RQ1UhTiQn73pS~amH8omalMlsFJ4TD2SexniXCboAbnFFDybtZNmBfgAoVT7~WdFvxsz84ziPo8vuui6fq5K2K1kdWOGxn4poO0o1wpFzf88JQb8Fgg3iZ2kQuo2V5Y7KKr2G-ce4Z0rUSqkurSwCSQhCWMxKkZ9aeFrWU5dEGFGR2uenbI1~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Squares LLC presented a rezoning request for 29 Doran Avenue on Monday, asking the council to rezone the site from community retail commercial to PRDSF to permit a small townhome development.

The applicant told council it had reduced the proposal from six townhomes to five to create space for a guest parking spot and additional amenity area, which the developer said could include a dog area or a small seating/firepit. Remaining variance requests include reduction of minimum lot size (from 3 acres to 0.52 acres) and a waiver of the active/passive recreation requirement because the site cannot meet the 10,000-square-foot minimum for that amenity type.

Staff confirmed stormwater detention on the site would be underground and said a nearby property owner had agreed to allow use of overflow parking on a nonpermanent basis. The applicant said final amenity details were not yet established but that a dog area or seating area were likely options.

Council asked staff and the applicant to examine whether a second parking space could be added by narrowing unit widths from 28 to 26 feet; the applicant said narrowing to 26 feet would allow a second space and that the 28-foot plan produced a more comfortable living area. The developer said the units target a 55-plus market, with anticipated prices in the mid- to upper-$500,000s.

Council did not take a final vote at the work session; staff and the applicant will return revised plans and requested variances on the Wednesday agenda for final action.","Developer Squares LLC requested rezoning of 29 Doran Avenue from community retail commercial to PRDSF and reduced the planned townhome units from six to five to accommodate a guest parking space and amenity area; the item was scheduled for the Wednesday packet.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6611291,"Council narrowly approves conversion of first floor at Building 2000; developers to add 11 multifamily units",310,823000,1133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95&start=823&end=1133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6611291/Marietta/Cobb-County/Georgia/Council-narrowly-approves-conversion-of-first-floor-at-Building-2000-developers-to-add-11-multifamily-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611291-aca4a745102fe2bdc520ec7a1f5e5de1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190046&Signature=h18129bseYzbeZ9aCfdJEpkhBT6V5yPHwFvqCfJrZDHEqQVsOQcHACgMbow5oR0ghik1mwgHzvhm1rjZdGttKQpzTU5qFTUygZC6G2GSB8otjxFFAhSNhFibgqYBslLGj04xYdlD5aCydtZBo2Tdm6x1tks87JO3xBJ2Ln2xEPrf4lO2CfdxEizzvDjd36fWmidwtG6QjHQekPD8nKiwrbwno~HO0CLr8-0oI1OiZRiX0R7dmFINCoZZbLuwH9hXSpc~Zq4d6SJ1J3BzKDIaauu~fGUF5FxjwgQKKZe3QVuvk3~i3HrsklBG6nrzotQBjaQsz9naaKKXX4jwNywAQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marietta City Council voted 4-3 to advance a developer request to modify two stipulations governing Building 2000, allowing the first floor of that building to convert from commercial use to residential and increasing the total number of multifamily units in the project.

Staff reported the amendment would add 11 additional units to the development (the developer corrected an earlier statement that had said 12) and would change a stipulation requiring 10,000 square feet of commercial space. The developer presented elevations showing the proposed residential frontage and said the change responded to difficulty leasing commercial space in that portion of the development.

Council members discussed parking impacts and noted staff comments that the total square footage and parking supply would not change materially; staff further said the parking requirement for residential uses would be lower under the proposed change. One councilmember disclosed a family property interest in a nearby shopping center but said they did not believe it created a conflict for this item.

After discussion, a motion to move the modification forward to the regular Wednesday agenda recommending approval passed by a 4-3 vote. Council requested the item be returned on the Wednesday agenda for final action; staff and the developer will provide the revised stipulations and final elevation drawings with that packet.

Separately, council also reviewed revised elevations for the townhome portion of the same development. Staff said the new two-story elevations met earlier architectural guidance; council voted to move that townhome item forward to the Wednesday agenda recommending approval.","West Plant Investors secured council approval to modify stipulations on Building 2000 to convert part of first-floor commercial space to residential, increasing multifamily units by 11 and reducing required commercial square footage; the motion passed 4-3.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6611296,"Marietta council advances downtown dumpster enclosure and parking swap with First Baptist Church",1404,2326000,3730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95&start=2326&end=3730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898477-64893f5aa4de34de1b584903995c5c95/thumbnail_2326000.jpg","/articles/6611296/Marietta/Cobb-County/Georgia/Marietta-council-advances-downtown-dumpster-enclosure-and-parking-swap-with-First-Baptist-Church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611296-d36d624f8f8705e8feefa0fe086314bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190046&Signature=QgK31c040qABYEb9AgKFCqCRv2uHVr4-uuuQWScTzyF62n7AkBz1i-~j1ZfoAncKlG9AN5wFW5mJm5hfeGB9tIodFuvgOWzvgS3S72JQ6Samr~tcjzU79f2orjXweYNz6OgGqZ-ZA6JoCElDY4GcSVzI6DKlNI2VuhjeSmW4wg~yzv3ZWtHcvNilsYaiZ~62q6~3RWDYmNs3gWmgFxlVz0vrS17Q0PeeEBy7qiVMxFQ3bvl8FuFbLqksV~bXAvp-~Djz5KGUDgQ1tzNu-CFXZgJyAGIYJeVm2xwo2gAA0RKZ7OEan4SiWhWcGrvAz9Je4SF4Nfuj9oGU8rr3P6czrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marietta City Council members on Monday directed staff to move forward with a proposal to build an angled dumpster enclosure at the corner of Root and Hansel streets and to pursue a right-of-way land swap with First Baptist Church that would create additional on-street parking.

The proposal, labeled Option B in staff materials and developed in coordination with church architect Don Dorsey, would replace several roll carts and small on-street dumpsters with a built enclosure similar to the one behind Starbucks. The enclosure is described as a minimum four-stall structure with two dumpsters per stall (double-stacked), providing capacity for up to eight dumpsters and space for one dumpster reserved for the church. Staff said the enclosure would clear sidewalks and two to three current parking spaces on Hansel but, by converting Root Street to angled parking in a one-way configuration, would produce a net gain of about nine parking spaces downtown.

City staff said the church would participate in right-of-way swaps to accommodate the angled parking on church-owned property; preliminary math presented at the meeting estimated the church would owe the city about $14,000 after the swaps were executed. Public works staff said service trucks would be able to access the enclosure from either Church or Root Street, and that the design could be adjusted for northbound or southbound one-way traffic on Root.

Council discussion focused on traffic flow during school drop-off and pick-up near Dodge Street and on enforcement options to limit through traffic during those hours. Staff said signage and enforcement, if adopted, would be coordinated with the police department; officials noted church volunteers also help manage peak traffic during service times.

Councilmember discussion yielded a motion to advance Option B, seconded by another member. The motion carried and council asked staff to negotiate the final terms with the church and return the detailed land-swap and construction agreement for final approval. Council placed the item on consent for the upcoming regular meeting.

The downtown enclosure and parking swap have been discussed with the church and in prior work sessions; staff said this proposal is intended to respond to limited curbside capacity created by new restaurants and other downtown growth and to remove roll carts from sidewalks.

If the project proceeds as outlined, staff will finalize right-of-way documents, a cost allocation for the church, and a detailed construction plan before returning to council for final approval.","Council members approved moving forward with a plan to build a new dumpster enclosure and reconfigure on-street parking near Root and Hansel streets, including a proposed right-of-way land swap with First Baptist Church and one-way traffic changes to gain parking spaces.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff summarizes 2025 state legislative session; several bills pass, others stalled

Marietta utilities report stable revenues, drought concerns and federal court win for Atlanta-area water allocations

Squares LLC seeks rezoning at 29 Doran Avenue; applicant reduces townhome count to five

Council narrowly approves conversion of first floor at Building 2000; developers to add 11 multifamily units

Marietta council advances downtown dumpster enclosure and parking swap with First Baptist Church