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Applicant for 3715 Longview Drive offers update; synagogue proposal draws mixed public comment
Summary
Applicant for 3715 Longview Drive provided an informational update ahead of a deferred zoning public hearing; proponents cited neighborhood engagement and walking-based worship, opponents raised parking and pedestrian-safety concerns.
An applicant for 3715 Longview Drive provided an informational briefing at Wednesdaycouncil meeting ahead of a scheduled zoning public hearing next month; the item had been deferred from January and the applicant asked for a brief, informational appearance because some supporters had scheduling conflicts.
Julie Sellers spoke for the applicant team and said the current application no longer seeks a stream-buffer variance the prior filing had included, and that on-street parking proposals from earlier versions were removed after community feedback. She told council the application would return for a full public hearing in the next month and that she would present more detail then.
During the public-comment portion on the item, several residents and representatives addressed the council. Jake Bush, who identified himself as a Chamblee High School graduate and a member of the congregation, urged a quicker resolution and said the applicant group would bring neighborhood engagement and civic contributions. "We want to be able to bring all we have to offer," he said.
Opposition focused on traffic and parking. Property owner Steve Smoak, who lives across the street at 3700 Longview Drive, said existing conditions make off-street parking and safe pedestrian access insufficient for the proposed use and asked the council to reconsider the zoning application if it returns.
Rabbi Dave Silverman (identified in public comment) described the congregationas encouraging neighborhood walking to services rather than driving and said the planned use would be limited in hours and scale compared with a day school or preschool. "We're trying to encourage people to live and walk in the neighborhood to the synagogue," he said.
Councilmembers asked questions about parking, pedestrian safety and the timeline; staff reiterated the item will be a full zoning public hearing next month and advised those wishing to comment to appear at that hearing. No council vote was taken at the informational presentation.
