[{"_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",6056046,"mediaKeyId","3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44","parentId",3312521,"title","South Fulton council tables proposal to allow alcohol at council-or-mayor park events amid safety, liability concerns","audioSeconds",9194,"startMs",1496000,"endMs",10690000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44&start=1496&end=10690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056046/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-council-tables-proposal-to-allow-alcohol-at-council-or-mayor-park-events-amid-safety-liability-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056046-27f27ae82ad325209c8792fa2b84ab00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775011297&Signature=fddKfUBAfIGkBkiAJF0XypI9JVyFiVKTestsTxlQjsAhaCe9xLcN7DeILjTPcfhBVsFQAJpieAZH5E6DgutELnNksHHDU5wCGNSisqroz8jPRZRGwtAAE2vkUieG~V4ZEXjvvboKdsTHQDW8zXnM0DPIdtDJSZpi1nKBK~vHX038~b943QBguhQf9GtwSEYXXJYA2iQuUAubTewKssyfmWPktKUL-6mSBvAaXnsBQi3hT0Y2Itxb~GrrpekGRtUpI7kMBGV57TSV337HuMD6xSiIA2q~-AIdJN0vJvkoGQWA7~sYzzkZ~78mlUONamWrlTSKy9fOLTVPokVp3s5C~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T01:30:59Z","article","City Council members on Tuesday tabled a walk‑on proposal to allow alcohol at certain mayoral or council events in city parks after multihour discussion about safety, liability and enforcement.

The discussion began as Tannar Turner, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, told the council, “It's a safe space for kids to go to.” Turner said the department has worked to make recreation centers “a safe, nurturing environment” and that allowing alcohol in parks would threaten that work.

“The number one liability to me again is the kids,” Turner said. “The kids saying that, oh, you know, they were drinking in the recreation center.” She said the city’s recreation programs include after‑school and summer camps where children are present, and that staff oppose introducing alcohol into those spaces.

Chief Keith Meadows of the South Fulton Police Department urged caution. “It’s kinda counterintuitive when we talk to [young people] about drugs and alcohol, and then we see our park rangers engaging with people that might be partaking inside of our city parks,” he said. Meadows said any change would require additional police staffing and new operational rules.

City Attorney Sarah Kelly outlined a narrower option she and staff drafted as a “walk‑on” solution that would restrict alcohol to mayoral or council‑hosted events, limit servers to a small roster of certified vendors, require additional insurance and training for vendors and city staff, and change the security personnel matrix for affected events. She also cautioned about the financial exposure: describing another jurisdiction she said, “there was a situation out of Broward County where someone was drinking before they came to a city event. They had 1 drink. They left the event, got into a wreck. There were 2 fatalities, and that was a $30,000,000 settlement.”

Council members were divided on whether the city should permit alcohol even in narrowly defined events. Councilwoman Keosha B. Bell, who hosts a residents‑only jazz event, asked council to allow one glass of wine for ticketed, 21+ events and proposed ID checks, small containers and waivers for attendees. Councilman J.C. Sebastian and others repeatedly said they were uncomfortable with any expansion of alcohol in parks and asked for stronger vendor oversight, higher insurance minimums and absolute guarantees that no children would be present in or near event spaces.

After extended debate, Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis moved — and Councilman Sebastian seconded — to pause action and bring back a comprehensive paper that incorporates council feedback. The motion to table passed 5–2. Council later considered a separate, last‑minute motion to authorize wine service at Councilwoman Bell’s specific Saturday event; that motion “failed to receive 4 affirmative votes,” the clerk announced.

City staff and the city attorney said a path exists for council to authorize alcohol at specific events, if the council chooses: vendors must produce certificates of insurance, servers must be certified to cut off intoxicated patrons, additional police resources would be required, and no city funds may be used to purchase alcoholic beverages. Attorney Kelly called the draft walk‑on “the best way” to proceed if council moves forward but said the resolution represents the “bare minimum” on insurance and training she would recommend.

Council members said they want clearer language on insurance limits, whether private vendors can be required to provide higher coverage, how the city will limit youth exposure and how police staffing will be adjusted. Council directed staff and the city attorney to rework the draft and return with a single, consolidated proposal that incorporates the council’s conditions.

What’s next: The council will consider a revised resolution at a future meeting after staff and the attorney fold in council feedback. Council members said they also want a clear, case‑by‑case special‑use permit process for any request to serve alcohol at a city‑sponsored or council‑sponsored park event.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 05/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Council members on Tuesday tabled a walk‑on proposal to allow alcohol at certain mayoral or council events in city parks after multihour discussion about safety, liability and enforcement.","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},6056028,"City manager flags first measurable sales‑tax downtick; urges budgeting caution ahead of next fiscal year",501,592000,1093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44&start=592&end=1093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44/thumbnail_592000.jpg","/articles/6056028/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/City-manager-flags-first-measurable-salestax-downtick-urges-budgeting-caution-ahead-of-next-fiscal-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056028-944e6902442412e15335b30979066ae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775011297&Signature=MLqIKXc86G5arbjV3Gj1CwS6ZU69Ug2LgDYMruYyvIT75GlyQKfdq3sGLR9Xfb1jvAHElv6gziPyuQ4u4TL35iGzUd5BpiWNm9WGW4eCYRM2Kv1GMl7zG9j6wE118MeCTLrM750zXLKQCIQc3Da1V34VnCYP2e4hM5pQp-CCijvDR-VgRL3Zxm69zlscA7IF06oN7UdQzMOmDQuXZzaZpmS7qoBGxzKszHOs~ivDGiUE0AZslJx9uZ8tPdmHjiLCLQmcQfdD6rAoqiro8bh87jPb0CkMi8jY9rH6GB-70YrhGfD3je0X7OpK6c6-Q2gS~maZx2rzikGkZWBsPaD68g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Sharon D. Subadan alerted council on Tuesday that sales‑tax receipts showed “a little bit of downtick,” the first measurable decline she could recall in recent years.

“We saw a little bit of downtick in our sales tax numbers,” Subadan said in presenting the finance materials. “I am concerned about a recession. As we get ready to prepare our budget, we will be talking to you all about your priorities, but I'm also cautioning department heads to be conservative as we go into the next budget year.”

Subadan said she had submitted the finance report through April (March figures finalized in the packet) and asked council members to prioritize needs as staff drafts the coming year’s budget.

Several council members asked whether a hiring freeze or other immediate personnel actions would be imposed. Subadan said the city is “in very good financial shape” and she did not anticipate an across‑the‑board hiring freeze. “I don't see a need to do a hiring freeze,” she said, but added that she would “be looking really hard at any request for additional positions in the budget.”

She also warned that gaps could emerge if federal funding changes and told department heads to plan for tighter spending in noncore areas.

What’s next: City staff will return with budget‑planning materials and ask council about priorities for the next fiscal year. Subadan said she would follow up with any departments that need to tighten spending and will flag material changes to revenue as they occur.","City Manager Sharon D. Subadan told council South Fulton saw a measurable downturn in sales tax, prompting caution in the next budget and a directive to department heads to be conservative. She said there is no hiring freeze planned but staff will scrutinize new position requests.",{"_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},6056034,"South Fulton to add EV chargers at every park under Georgia program, city manager says",151,691000,842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44&start=691&end=842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44/thumbnail_691000.jpg","/articles/6056034/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-to-add-EV-chargers-at-every-park-under-Georgia-program-city-manager-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056034-c763fc6ec754ac1de0afd3ad1da9fa5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775011297&Signature=I4P63EjgCMhtV85Jo1J8lZOuEA9W1QDUsrM5C~kDK-77kQY8gzVhJid8ovY0KvIEfe8-NuWDKZ4r9~G9rqp4XFaS2qwi15sTsuLgrwVOA~2mE5LN4Ym061WmqOxPaopNM6tpO8k4nqzFqxvR-DNVt-WRUjKrWCikYXO-iC1v3VfXoH-6vH-qHih~0s8wHKUL2RIiUREwwcpgWVw84PvUPZ2Ud36vI0GqWdW4ZlqUQW-xWY7Q8q131pSehDOQfehRk9BxTcM1~mMf5wzFkDVmU1rgHIQbS4WtIPCAjVuuouTu5ZYI-lcuQkHDmKWB1ioGX21NcHRb5aav-wgfJyvDfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of South Fulton will expand electric‑vehicle charging to municipal parks, City Manager Sharon D. Subadan told council during the May 13 meeting, describing the initiative as part of the Georgia ‘‘get ready’’ program.

Subadan said the city will “be putting them at every park,” and that Welcome All Park could see groundbreaking “as soon as next week depending on weather.” She said City Hall will also receive expanded charging infrastructure.

When Councilman J.C. Sebastian asked how chargers will be distributed, Subadan replied that she would provide a specific location and per‑site quantity in a separate report. Later in the meeting the general services director was quoted as saying there will be six chargers per location.

Council members asked whether surveillance cameras and other site security measures would be in place before stations are activated; Subadan said the city would coordinate necessary camera installations in collaboration with the police department and general services.

Mayor and councilmembers framed the expansion as part of broader access issues. At one point a councilmember noted the city lives in an “electric vehicle desert” and said public charging sites (including retail lots elsewhere) attract ride‑hail drivers and encourage economic activity.

What’s next: Subadan said staff will provide a detailed report on charger locations and quantities; council asked staff to confirm camera coverage and any operational rules for park charging stations (for example, rules about overnight parking). No formal vote was required at Tuesday’s meeting.","City Manager Sharon D. Subadan told council the City of South Fulton will expand electric vehicle charging under the Georgia ‘get ready’ program, with sites at Welcome All and City Hall and six chargers per park location; staff will provide a location‑by‑location list and rollout schedule.",{"_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},6056038,"Council defers McGee Landing townhomes proposal to July after residents and developers meet",2881,6042000,8923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44&start=6042&end=8923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44/thumbnail_6042000.jpg","/articles/6056038/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-defers-McGee-Landing-townhomes-proposal-to-July-after-residents-and-developers-meet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056038-d0d8bb950eec46131dae60a5bb6f7c3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775011297&Signature=BO9arbcg3eJweBzcCg9w9c5JFHmlgQpR7vkXWpQp~VEG8pG7G9IPOH16wV2brTbjN9h0z37MnbRJ31bNTm6qOqqEdFhvRZViJ7rYuf4M-oQ9dzWNomcu0h~T~WRmohcvxZ2RTojIFm7ALHP6e0PtZNyUxaT4Hu9yHKKp3nJml3AfjfhoNZfHCo1DO7dLhEqZ9N-dGj2NtVVdf8y0pmSmyWZsQn4OXbxfhNj9X9X41ImQr7vck9N4ODIz7REz-Hi1ePGBZH77mRt0B76HClwyV7shYlCS8a1oSMG9Fc-vs-LLcj6x~sb--Usr6OSmob7hI1VrWo4PPmmvNEfwzAKLTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council on Tuesday voted to defer a developer’s rezoning request for a long‑vacant, partially built parcel known as McGee Landing to July 22 so the developer, staff and community can review a new site plan.

The applicant is seeking to replace previously approved apartment zoning with townhouse residential (TR) for a project the developer calls Magee Landing. Christopher Construction representative Garrett Christopher described updated plans and market goals, saying the project will focus on “affordable housing” aimed at first‑time buyers: “Our goal currently… is to stay under 300,000.” He said every unit would include a two‑car garage and the developer would cap rentals at 10% so “the owners will be living there.”

Christopher said the property already has utilities and partial infrastructure from an earlier project that stalled, and the applicant revised the plan after public comments; the latest site plan reduced the number of units from 50 to 46 to meet buffer and overlay requirements.

Opponents said they received the new materials too late for review and asked for a fuller redesign. Michael Venable told council the developer’s materials were not shared with the community in time and urged the council to deny the request: “You are giving staff the chance to redevelop this, but we're gonna move it forward and it just eliminates the whole community.”

Councilwoman Natasha Williams Brown moved to defer the case to July 22 so the developer, the city’s Community Development and Redevelopment Authority (CDRA) and residents could meet. The motion, seconded by Councilman J.C. Sebastian, carried 6–0.

Staff noted their recommendation remained denial based on a site plan submitted shortly before the planning meeting; staff and the planning commission both cited overlay and design concerns. Councilmembers said the deferral will provide time for the applicant to address the stated code issues and meet with neighbors.

What’s next: The developer and staff are expected to hold further community meetings and submit a revised packet to planning and the council before the July 22 public hearing.","Developers of the defunct McGee Landing apartment site presented a revised townhome plan and promised affordability and owner‑occupancy measures; opponents said the plan lacked detail and needed wider community review. Council deferred the case to July 22 to allow more community engagement and staff review.",{"_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},6056043,"Residents urge council to deny Clifton Dale townhomes rezoning; developer asked to withdraw",1329,3446000,4775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44&start=3446&end=4775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312521-1c266dd1aef5e71ebc00da9df03ddc44/thumbnail_3446000.jpg","/articles/6056043/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-council-to-deny-Clifton-Dale-townhomes-rezoning-developer-asked-to-withdraw","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056043-4f8669f7b419a0b25f844f6c9f45dc84/orig.mp4?Expires=1775011297&Signature=AwtY9Ci6i25L~2RdavofMVqj38Zsc815bTmLWLweak1WUroRm5H6v4siUJ-MSbToOwO6VYqb0bWHb7ojQGXwEczGvRcRtfiDvukhvXbJ~uE3tNQLWZr8nd~IgKA9sgPdQ3L7h1KAbIhU3fav3kkJLH4SELhs-tbiRnhS~ocHBSOCREE9cxf3ygrVwhYs7nExfJWN2e-5vea8Oegbtg8ATROEvxD2drj5fwF60rRpGZjH1uAg3s66DwbZJ-caR3nJ1i0uLjw1-EiLaEAhZdYGRPAI1xMXu6sCrQJuKOdqcJrtgxrGFTo7yhlMr0vrCSOJYjdcySZ6p3SyZlIwUochtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A rezoning request to replace single‑family neighborhood zoning with townhome development drew sustained opposition from residents at Tuesday’s South Fulton public hearing.

The application, listed as KC24‑004 (later corrected to Z25‑004), would change an area now mapped as suburban neighborhood to allow 44 townhomes. Staff and the Planning Commission both recommended denial.

Residents who live near the proposed site told the council they have attended multiple hearings and want the council to respect the community’s original land‑use expectations. Dr. Shelly Harris, president of the Retreat at Jones Mill homeowners association, cited traffic and property‑value studies in explaining opposition: “Townhome developments can generate 8 to 12 trips per unit per day significantly more than the single family homes which generates 6 to 8 trips per unit. This can cause a substantial amount of congestion in areas where roads are not designed to handle increased traffic volumes.”

Another resident, Dana Norris, a retired lieutenant colonel, said the neighborhood already struggles with street parking that impedes first responders and that prior developers left sites unfinished. “The original development was for 12 additional units. So to erect townhomes… you double that amount. The congestion in our neighborhood alone, you cannot move a first responder vehicle as it's been proven before,” Norris told council.

Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis, the district representative, thanked residents for coming to successive meetings and said staff and the planning commission had recommended denial because the proposed density does not conform to the land‑use code. Willis said the council will vote on the application at the next meeting and encouraged affected residents to return and speak at that vote.

The applicant had requested a withdrawal prior to the hearing; Willis said she opposed allowing withdrawal because residents had repeatedly attended hearings to be heard. The applicant was not present at the hearing, and the council opened the matter for public testimony before closing the hearing.

What’s next: Councilwoman Willis said the rezoning would be placed on the next council agenda for a vote. Staff documentation shows planning and staff recommended denial; residents asked the council to follow those recommendations.

","Residents of Retreat at Jones Mill urged the City Council to deny a developer's request to rezone a suburban neighborhood and build 44 townhomes, citing traffic, utility strain and property‑value concerns. Planning staff recommended denial and the planning commission recommended denial; the council left the case for a vote at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

South Fulton council tables proposal to allow alcohol at council-or-mayor park events amid safety, liability concerns

City manager flags first measurable sales‑tax downtick; urges budgeting caution ahead of next fiscal year

South Fulton to add EV chargers at every park under Georgia program, city manager says

Council defers McGee Landing townhomes proposal to July after residents and developers meet

Residents urge council to deny Clifton Dale townhomes rezoning; developer asked to withdraw