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04-13-1994 Regular MeetingApril 13, 1994 The Downtown Smyrna Development Authority met April 13, 1994 at the Smyrna Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding officer Chairman A. Max Bacon. Present: Jimmy Wilson Jim Pitts Willouise Spivey C. J. Fouts Hubert Black Absent: Doug Stoner Steve Shupert Also present were Council members Pete Wood, Jack Cramer and Bill Scoggins; City Clerk Melinda Dameron, City Attorney Charles E. Camp and City Administrator Bob Thomson. The first item of business was the application review for Teach -Me -Write Preschool at 2646 Atlanta Road. This property is owned by the VFW and located in the ADD1 district, but has been leased for day care use. The applicant and manager of the day care facility is Angela Kearns. Pictures were presented of the front entrance to the day care center showing a large colorful mural which must be approved by the Authority. Mayor Bacon said the City passed an ordinance on March 25th prohibiting any chain link fencing in the front yard of commercially zoned areas and Ms. Kearns has also planned to install a fence in the front yard, surrounding playground equipment. She has been told that the fence is prohibited and that the swings and playground equipment must be relocated to the back of the property. However, from an architectural review standpoint, the only issue to be considered tonight is the painted mural at the front entrance. Jimmy Wilson made a motion the application be approved for the mural as shown on pictures presented. Hubert Black seconded the motion which carried 5-0. The next item was to review the application for new construction by Advance Auto Parts at the corner of Atlanta Road and Spring Street. Thomas J. Ravenel, President of Ravenel Development Corporation was present and stated Advance Auto is a chain operation based in Roanoke, Virginia. There are about 400 stores in operation now and all are clean, well mainatained operations. This is strictly over the counter sales with no garage services offered. Mr. Ravenel said this will be an 8,000 square foot building facing Atlanta Road and they will utilize the existing curb cuts on Atlanta Road and Spring Street. Mr. Ravenel said he owned the property and would develop and operate the store through a 10 year lease with Advance Auto Parts, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years. The site (formerly Smyrna Cable TV) has been recently cleaned and about 32,000 square feet of contaminated soil removed. If the plans are approved tonight, construction would begin immediately. Mayor Bacon said the original plans submitted by Mr. Ravenel complied with the Architectural Control Guidelines, except for a metal roof overhang. The plans have been modified to provide a stucco finish on the roof overhand instead of metal, and now fully comply with the guidelines. Mayor Bacon suggested that it would probably benefit their business to provide a fence to buffer the easement going into the shopping center although it is not required. Jimmy Wilson made a motion the application by Advance Auto Parts be approved. C. J. Fouts seconded the motion which carried 5-0. C. J. Fouts made a motion the minutes of February 9, 1994 and March 16, 1994 be approved as submitted. Willouise Spivey seconded the motion which carried 5-0. Mayor Bacon reported he met with Tommy Eubanks and Neal Peavy to show the property behind the Community Center and Library for residential development. They are not interested, but said they knew another developer who may be and would send them to us. Mayor Bacon advised the Community Development department has moved to the Public Works complex. We've had no success in leasing the old building and it is temporarily being used for storage of city records. Bob Thomson presented a landscape design prepared by Pike Nursery and our Inspections Department for the Atlanta Road right of way in front of City Hall and the Community Center. Estimated cost for planting and labor is $8,000. Bob said the plantings will be low maintenance and would be consistent with the landscaping around the Village Green Circle. Willouise Spivey suggested that tree plantings also be extended to Windy Hill Road. Jimmy Wilson made a motion the concept be approved as presented with funding to be discussed at a later date. C. J. Fouts seconded the motion which carried 5-0. Mayor Bacon said he had talked with Wilmont Williams about his plans for the old Guernsey Jug building on Atlanta Road at Creatwood Farms, if the property is zoned for new development as planned. Because of the historical significance, Mayor Bacon said he would like to look into the possibility of moving the building to the downtown area, possibly to be used for an ice cream parlor or sandwich shop. Hubert Black said the DDA had appointed a committee of himself, Max Bacon and Pete Wood to investigate marketing of the property and establish a sales price. Clint Buckner has advised that the City has approximately $6.00 per square foot invested, but does not feel that we can sell the land for that. He has suggested that we offer the land as low as $4.00 per square foot to the first purchaser to get some development underway. He also suggested that we try and divert people from the prime corners on Atlanta Road and later we could possible get $6.00 for those spots. Jimmy Wilson made a motion the committee be authorized to negotiate sales from $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot. Jim Pitts seconded the motion which carried 5-0. With no further business meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.