Smyrna Councilwoman: 'Critical' to do Jonquil Village right
The Smyrna city council on Tuesday night tabled the public hearing on the Jonquil Village development site plan and zoning conditions until next month.
Smyrna officials are yearning to see the Jonquil Village development project begin construction, but more than anything, they want to make sure the long delayed mixed-use project at the corner of Atlanta and Spring roads is done correctly.
That was the prevailing sentiment at Tuesday’s city council meeting, where council members unanimously approved tabling a scheduled public hearing to discuss Branch Capital Properties’ site plan and zoning condition on the project until Feb. 20.
“I don’t think there’s a person in the city who doesn’t want to see something happen with the site…but it is so critical that we really be certain of what we’re doing,’’ said Councilwoman Teri Anulewicz, who represents Ward 3 where the project is located.
With four new council members participating in their first full meeting since being sworn in two weeks ago, it was the feeling of the city’s community development department that additional time was needed to bring the new council members up to speed pertaining to the property.
“There are a lot of nuances within the proposals,’’ Anulewicz remarked. “There’s a lot to wrap your head around.”
In 2006, the original plans called for a $181 million mixed-use project including 300 luxury condominiums, 160,000 square feet of retail space and 20,000 square feet of office space. The new plans submitted by Atlanta-based Branch Properties, LLC, will be of a much smaller scale.
Those plans have kept the underground parking and detention pond near Spring Rd., but the condos have been replaced by 250 residential apartments. There is more than 77,000 square feet of total building area, with a 45,600 square-foot grocery store. On Tuesday night, it was confirmed that Publix remains very interested in anchoring the project.
The public hearing scheduled for next month will not call for a change in the existing mixed-use zoning. There will be, though, a quartet of proposed amendments, including the removal of two approved zoning conditions. The first would be striking “any building consisting of a single use within the Mixed Use district, excluding the grocery store, must be expressively approved by the Mayor and City Council.”
The other would eliminate the condition that any development on the subject property must provide a minimum of 20,000 square feet of gross professional office space. There is no office space proposed in the current plan, and there has been speculation that when all is said and done, the residential space will no longer be present either. Said Howard Martin, the only citizen who commented Tuesday, “We’ve been waiting on the Publix for a long time, but the word “apartments’’ scare me.”
Indeed, the city has gone to great lengths in recent years, specifically with the purchase of Hickory Lake Apartments and Highland Apartments (now Smyrna Commons) to reduce the high number of apartments in the city.
“We’ve eliminated a lot of apartments the last four years, and in twenty years, whoever is up here might say, ‘what were they thinking?’” Mayor Max Bacon chimed in. “We’re excited about the location and it being developed, but we don’t want to take off and say ‘have at it.’”
So before the city is ready to give the developer the go-ahead, there’s a lot more analysis to be conducted by the council.
“I think every taxpayer, resident and business is keenly interested in this project,’’ said Anulewicz, who later added, “it is so critical for the city of Smyrna that we do this right.”
Smyrna-Vinings Patch will have additional coverage from last night's council meeting on Thursday.
lowbar
5:29 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I was disappointed to hear the Jonquil Village topic was tabled Tuesday night. After hearing Ms. Anulewicz's justification I fully understand. Let's get it right. It appears we have a quality contractor. Let's hope we can work together and come to win-win solution.
anryms
6:10 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
This parcel of land is the door to our city. It is bad enough that we have a webuygold / fix computers with no customers sitting suspicously across the street. The last thing we need is apartments on this property. Take all the time you need and make sure we get this project done the right way so that in 10 years we dont end up with a half empty run of the mill strip mall like you see on every corner in other cities!
Maria
11:44 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
What makes you think they can get it right. The market village is nearly empty with only the restaurants and bars. Not a family friendly place to hang out with all the drunks, just past through some evening. Nobody is going to come sit and watch cars zip by on Atlanta Rd so to have seating is idiotic. They tried the front businesses down near Creatwood Rd and agian half empty. I agree something needs to go in but I have seen the city be so difficult with devolopers its insane. The mayor was quick to tell us how they reduced the number of apartment but at what cost he didn't tell you. Lost millions of Smyrna Commons, spent millions on Hickory Lakes no buyers yet and employees have not seen raises in 4 years and only increases in the cost of benefits. So yes get it right but lets get it done and make it so business wil come in an do business. These small shops are nice but they can't and don't make it in what they propose.
Randy Smyrna realist
8:34 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sjm: what's wrong with styrofoam backed stucco?
smurf
8:54 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Apartments are now to be a part of the project...HERE WE GO AGAIN....
Myrna Evans
12:37 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
PLEASE, no apartments!! In 15 years it will look just like the apartments we just got rid of!! Removal of the office space requirement of 20,000 sf will = no office space. As a potential user of Smyrna office space within the next two years, I would like to see some additional choice besides Market Village where most of the office space is out in the "back 40." Why not just reduce the size requirement instead of removing the requirement? Make it 15,000 or 10,000 sf.
Janet Peck
8:54 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
I agree that the lingering street light & lack of visible activity killed the bakery on Creatwood. On another subject, kill the Publix idea. We have 2 Publix & a super Kroger easily accessible. Please consider a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. Do you think Smyrna is not sophisticated for these stores? If you do, shame on you.
Brian
12:56 am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
As mentioned many times, Trader Joes is going into Riverwood II in Cumberland (cobb Parkway at Cumberland Blvd near the AMC) when it's finished someday.
Smyrna doesn't have the market for a Trader Joes. Cumberland does. It will pick up East Cobb, Smyrna and Vinings.
C.J.
5:19 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Actually, I thought this store was in a pretty good location. It was easy to get into and out of, they had tables and chairs outside, and it was conveniently located.
I believe, unfortunately, that this Great Harvest (a great product) franchise closed because of poor management. My experience was that they turned me away more often than not. Their operating hours were limited, they'd close for long holiday weekends, they were frequently out of stock on their most popular breads, or they stopped serving lunch at some bizarre hour. Given that experience, I wasn't surprised to see them close after such a short period of time.
Skiime
9:52 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
I wish people would stop saying we don't need a Publix here. Most people in the Williams Park neighborhood would absolutely love a Publix so close to home. Why don't we focus on putting a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods on the old Kroger site instead? I have a feeling it's going to sit vacant and run down for quite some time once the new Kroger is complete.
Valerie Dyer
5:12 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
If the City of Smyrna wants to "do things right" why do they allow Zucca's Pizza and the Tavern to serve the lowest common denomenator and bring drugs/crime into the Market Village until 4am... which is a residential area. All the "good" businesses are now gone and the owner of Zucca's has forced out one of my favorite restaurants with their underhanded, unethical tactics to take possession of a piece of property that will allow them to expand their business and bring even more low lifes into my community . And what is worse is that the mayor and the city KNOW what they are doing. When I moved into my home I felt SAFE walking my dog around the block at 5AM. Now I know why I see so many taxies driving by and people that make me feel threatened in an area where I used to feel safe at any hour of the day. What you do, comes back to haunt you and the city is reaping the rewards of mismanaging a mixed use developement. Where other similar developments seem to thrive, ours has deteriorated and now has just a few businesses left. Unfortunately, it is no longer the safe, family oriented businesses that started out in the area. SHAME on the City of Smyrna!!!!!!
Neal Dow
5:47 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
The city isn't experiencing shame. It's experiencing incompetence. Until this mayor is gone there will be no hope for Smyrna.
Inside-Out
9:04 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
The fact is Neal Dow that luckily the majority of the residents disagree with you and have seen the good this man has done. The votes have neen cast yet again and Max Bacon has handily won another term. He didn't win by a small amount either. Smyrna continues to grow slowly yet we are so far ahead of most other local governments. No Tax increases, no layoffs or furlough days, a balanced budget and smart growth. The only incompetence being displayed is that of a few posters on here that try and fail to prove their false statements. I am with the mayor, don't like it ? Move.
Miss P
2:04 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
I think it should be noted that of the over 51,000 people who reside in Smyrna, only 4,000 people voted. And all of those people did NOT vote for Max Bacon.
To say or even imply that somehow the majority of this city approves of Bacon is a blatent misrepresentation if not outright lie.
And if the "If you don't like the way I do things then get out" mentality really is the way the mayor conducts the business of our city, then the only one who needs to leave is HIM.
Miss P
11:28 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
We can't quantify how much people care. We merely can comment on what appears to be the efforts made.
And, of the efforts made, not even 10% of the citizens of Smyrna voted this election.
And not all of the few who managed to make it to the polls voted for Max Bacon.
Spin that any way you choose but it doesn't change the facts that the city as a whole did not vote for Max Bacon to be the mayor, yet again.
I will not "ignore" people (even as statistics) simply because they don't further my cause or my arguement.
And I find your statement of "those who really matter...etc" to be not only inflammatory and prejudiced, but outright offensive.
I sincerely hope that Smyrna's council doesn't use the same math equations when conducting the business of our city as you do.
Schitzngrins
1:51 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
LP...er...I mean Miss P, since you felt compelled to rehash these talking points & distortions that have been passed around and reposted many times by the usual suspects, I'll repost something too...
"*SIGH* Not this tired tripe again. I love how you and others keep trotting out these (misleading) numbers as if it's some sort of conspiracy.
The only thing these numbers are evidence of is low voter turnout, and that the majority of people who care enough about what goes on Smyrna to vote chose Max Bacon to represent them. The rest of the people either weren't dissatisfied enough w/the status quo to act, or simply couldn't be bothered to exercise a right that few people in the world actually have, and that countless people died to provide/protect.
Yes, voter apathy is a horrible thing, and local elections are particularly susceptible to low turnout. That said, this has nothing to do w/the candidates and everything to do w/the voters.
PS...Nevermind the fact that you're assuming the entire population of Smyrna was even eligible to vote. You are (purposely?) ignoring approximately 21-22% of Smyrnans under the legal voting age, as well as others who are ineligible to vote for reasons other than age. This pushes the voting pool below 38K.
Regardless of how you skew the numbers, & regardless of what you're trying to imply, Bacon won...by a large and decisive margin (88% to 12%)."
Brian
12:55 am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
The way Max Bacon handled Glock was atrocious. It stunk of incompetence.
Inside-Out
9:14 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Shame on Smyrna ? a business signs a lease and moves into a building and become successful at it. People come to this business in droves. Apparently the citizens of Smyrna are all for alcohol whenever they can get it, now even on Sundays. The business is booming, the City is making money from it. More people want alcohol than they want to make a piece of pottery or buy an overpriced ice cream from a company that didn't maintain stable hours. I don't drink so I don't frequent these bars. I was also smart enough not to buy an overpriced condo that has bars that are open till 4 am underneath my home. I have no idea what Zuccas has done that was underhanded or unethical to force the Cafe to close. Please enlighten us. As far as feeling safe in the Market Village I would have to say that I see more Police in this area than most others and the Police Station is right next door.
Miss P
2:18 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Yes, I agree. Shame on Smyrna.
In talking with merchants here about Sunday alcohol sales, they are required to get two separate licenses to sell their wares here in Smyrna. $500 alone to sell on Sundays!
Plus another $1000 or so to sell the rest of the week.
I know I did not vote in November to require the businesses of Smyrna to have an undo financial burden placed upon them.
In fact, in speaking with these merchants, they've told me that some vendors refused to pay the money and aren't selling.
What right did the city have to arbitrarily impose a separate fee on the businesses here without so much as a by your leave of the very people who voted this new ordinance in? When we knew nothing of it?
Shame on Smyrna for this underhanded, last minute, don't tell we the people about maneuver. Shame on them indeed.
Brian
1:01 am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
Right :-)
Obviously the person who feels "scared" has never gone to 5 points or the Braves stadium area at night (ignoring Grant Park). Now that's truly scary.
Inside-Out
9:17 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
As far as mismanaging Market Village the City of Smyrna does not own or manage the buildings at all. They are privately owned by several different owners. I tried to do business at most of the stores that were open downtown but they were all overpriced on their products and services. That is why most have failed.
Inside-Out
4:49 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Apparently someone doesn't understand teh first thing about how governments operate. Fees and Licenses are how businesses are monitored and controlled. No, you didn't vote for that fee just like you weren't asked to vote for business license fees, or taxi permits, or park rental fees. Of course businesses have the right to not sell alcohol on Sundays nor pay the fees for the license. Without business license fees then who do you think pays for city services. Please feel free to send in more tax money if you want to. These businesses are profiting and you want the tax payers to carry the burden. Feel free to check with all the other governments around and see if they charge business license fees and permit charges. Undue burden ? May I suggest a course in Government. 75 % of the voters who did vote did so for Mayor Bacon. Of course those who did not vote must have been satisfied with the way the City was being run or they would have made an effort to get to the polls to vote for another candidate. Whatever there reason they simply decided that change in Smyrna wasn't that important. Max Bacon isn't going anywhere and that is simply just a fact.
Miss P
11:39 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Sir, your condescention is neither appreciated nor necessary.
And it shows exactly what kind of character, and destiny, you have.
In checking with other municipalities, there weren't the "extra" license fees tacked on at 50% of a currently standing fee for ONE days worth of business.
Smyrna is greedy and it constitutes usery the way they're bilking local merchants.
3,000 people, if it were in fact that many, may have voted for MB, but that in no way makes it "an overwhelming majority" of Smyrna, and to even imply that people not voting means they're "satisfied" is so ridiculous, that there isn't even a word for how ridiculous it is.
For now at least MB is Smyrna's mayor. But eventually even Rome fell. And all great civilizations have come to an end. He won't be there forever is my point. And that sir, is simply "just a fact."
Neal Dow
8:57 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
-Max Bacon isn't going anywhere and that is simply just a fact.- And that is exactly why people in Smyrna don't vote.
Inside-Out
12:42 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The only fact that you have right is that Max Bacon is our Mayor for four more years. You choose to ignore the facts that have been presented Your way of slanting information is ridiculous. The local merchants do not have to pay the fee if they choose not to. What municipalities did you check ? None I assume as you do not name any. Just the usual slinging of false information. You are correct when you say that the "overwhelming majority" did not vote for Max Bacon, but nor did they vote for the other two " Candidates". Max Bacon won yet again. Accept it and move on. Max Bacon's tenure will end one day and luckily we have Mayor Pro-Tem Pritchett waiting in the wings.
Miss P
1:39 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
That's rich, coming from someone who insisted that under 3,000 people make up the "overwhelming majority" of Smyrna. That in and of itself is ridiculous.
And no, I haven't checked on every one of the 89 municipalities and 2 other unincorporated areas that voted on Sunday Sales, but I have checked on some.
And NO, they're not requiring an additional license to sell for those who already had the necessary, legal permits.
Smyrna is simply greedy. That's all there is to it.
But if you'd like to go thru all 89+, by all means, be my guest.
I stand by my statements..one day, Max Bacon will be out of office. And no one seated there today will be his successor.
So no matter how you choose to slant it, those are the stone cold facts.
Brian
12:49 am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
I personally don't like the idea of no condominiums/townhomes and no residential over the storefronts next to the Publix. Why did we go through all this to replace a strip mall with a strip mall? I like that there's residential, however we do need some permanent residents there, and for it to look more urban.
I would suggest Branch break the project into two phases: Phase 1 - everything they are currently planning. Phase 2 - build townhomes in the style of Ivy Walk or that JW property at Discovery Pl in Mableton over the stores (aside the Publix). Phase 2 can start when everything has been filled from Phase 1. That will mean they will have to build the store roof structures differently to support the weight of future townhomes on top of them, plus some type of parking behind the stores.
By the way, apartments are fine if they are high-end.
Brian
1:07 am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
Please, also put a median in on that part of Atlanta Rd and Spring Rd when development is done. If people can pull into the center of the road, it will be chaos.