03-16-1964 Regular Meeting15
(Continuation of 3-2-64 Meeti_n )
action recorded February 3, 1954 and further this Council
_ adopt the malt be ordinaiice� in effec-t prior to I b-
ruary 3, 1964. The motion lost five to two; Councilman
Kuhl and Wood voting for the motion.
2. Motion by Homer Kuhl, second R. H. Wood, to delete malt
beverage sales from grocery stores as per 2-3-64 minutes,
excluding superettes. The motion lost five to two,
Kuhl and Wood voting for the motion."
3. The number of malt beverage licenses shall as of this
date be limited to two licenses per person. The motion
by Homer Kuhl lost five to two.
Councilman J. C. Porterfield presented the first plan for re-
alignment of the six voting districts within the corporate limits.
This ° proposal Iwas discussed and referred by Mayor G. W. Kreeger
to a committee of J. C. Porterfield, Chairman, Homer Kuhl and
J. W. Webb.
Council, on B. A. Thomas' recommendation, voted to install
two stop signs to control traffic on Old Concord Road at the
intersection of Powder Springs.
The discussion of high water°bills was referred by the Mayor
to the water committee for resolve and report.
Motion to adjourn 9:40 p.m.
Next meeting March 16, 1964, 7:30 p.m.
March 16, 1964
A meeting of Mayor and Council was held March 16, 1964 at
7:30 p.m. at the City Hall - Mayor G. W. Kreeger presided;
Councilmen present, R. J. McCurry, C. M. Chapman, R. H. Wood,
B. A. Thomas, Jas. W. Webb, H. Kuhl, J. C. Porterfield.
The meeting was opened with invocation by R. H. Wood.
Mr. Wm. J. MacKenna again requested fence be constructed as
buffer between Rolling View Acres and Jonquil Park. No action.
The hearing was called on petition of Wm. Reed (for W. A.
Ward) to rezone from R-1 Residential to C-1 Commercial that parcel
of land lying on the east side of South Cobb Drive between Powder
Springs and Bank Streets.
r
Mr. Wm. Reed represented petitioner and asked that area be
rezoned to C-1 proposing to reserve a 25 foot buffer zone between
existing residential and the proposed commercial area.
Eighteen area residents appeared to.protest proposed rezoning.
Dr. Wakefield, spokesman for the group, stated development of
commercial area would de -value residential properties in the area;
represents "spot" zoning; rear of business area unsightly.
B. A. Thomas stated he had calls from residents in area
directly across South Cobb Drive from proposed C-1 area of being
16
(Continuation of 3-16-64 Meeting)
"choked" by commercial zoning.
A motion B. A. Thomas second C. M.. Chapman to deny petition
to rezone area from R-1 Residential to C-1 Commercial lost by
vote of 3 to 4. Thomas, Chapman, Kuhl for; McCurry, Wood,
Webb, & Porterfield against motion.
A motion R. J. McCurry second J. C. Porterfield to grant
petition to rezone said area from R-1 Residential to,C-1
Commercial with a 25 foot buffer zone to be established
between residential and commercial area, said zone to be
measured from the east boundary of petitioner's property a
distance of twenty-five feet west and extending from Powder
Springs to Bank Streets, this buffer zone to remain R-1;
further that developer adequately handle any additional water
problem created by development of said area. Motion carried
5 to 2, B. A. Thomas and C. M. Chapman opposed.
Report of the Tax Committee was read by Chairman L. M.
Geisler. The report included a recommendation for a 3-mil
cut in the tax rate for 1964. Mr. Bob Yoder, a member of said
board, dissented to the recommendation for cut in tax rate.
Mayor Kreeger thanked the committee for the report and asked
that they continue to serve in a body and work toward a re-
duction of county tax rate for residents of a municipality.
Hearing on the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance was called - no citizens appeared to object.
A motion C. M. Chapman second B. A. Thomas to adopt amend-
em-ent (with corrections as noted) to the 1961 Smyrna Comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance Section 15: amendments and changes of district
boundaries was voted 6 to 1, J. W. Webb opposed, said amendment
reads as follows:
Paragraph two shall be changed as follows: the words
Thirty-five (35) shall be struck and the words fifty
(50) shall be inserted.
Paragraph four shall be amended to read thusly: After
the official public hearing by the Mayor and Council
said body shall by a majority vote of its membership
act on the petition. The Clerk of the City of Smyrna
shall cause the notice of such public hearing to be
published in the newspaper and to furnish the petitioner
with two signs to be erected in conspicious places on
the property in the presence of the City Engineer or
other authorized.city representative within three
days after the Mayor and Council have set the date
of the public hearing. It shall also be the duty
of the City Clerk to have printed signs two feet
in height and three feet in width, containing in
letters two inches in height such information as
is necessary to give notice of the time, place and
date of the scheduled herring on the zoning petition.
Should the action of Mayor and Council be the re-
jection of said zoning request or change, no other
application for any zoning request or change on the
same property shall be considered or heard by the
Mayor and Council within a period of six months
following the previous action taken by Mayor and
Council.
7 r J. C. Porterfield reporting on street and highway progress
motioned that a resolution be drawn requesting additional state
aid for Concord Road. Motion, second by R. J. McCurry, was voted
unanimous. City Attorney G. C. Ingram requested to draw up
resolution.
17
(Continuation of 3-16-64 Meeting)
A letter from H.H.F.A. proposing a conference on the Water
Study was referred to J. C. Porterfield to follow.
A request for license for ten cent pen vending machines
(sponsor Lions Club), resulted in a motion R. J. McCurry second
H. Kuhl to set license for ten cents (.10) vending machines at
$7.50 per machine per year with a maximum fee ,of $75.00 was voted
unanimous.
Mr. Henry C. Warren, 251 Hawthorne Street, appeared concerning
drainage problem aggravated by installation of sidewalk. Referred
to J. C. Porterfield to investigate.
A motion B. A. Thomas second R. J. McCurry to approve Feb-
ruary minutes as submitted was voted 6 to 1, J. C. Porterfield
abstaining as had not read minutes..
Discussion on all day parking in the City Hall and Spring
Street (old depot area at the railroad) parking lots revealed
need for adequate signs and enforcement of existing parking regu-
lations; referred to H. Kuhl.
A motion C. M. Chapman second J. C. Porterfield to request
State Library Board survey the Smyrna Library and make recommenda-
tions lost 1 to 6, C. M. Chapman voting for the motion.
J. C. Potterfield set meeting of committee on ward realignment
for Monday, March 23, 1964 at City Hall.
Motion to adjourn unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 9:20 p.m.. Next meeting scheduled April 6,
1964, 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
G. W. Kreeger, r4a3ror L. W. Charles, City Clerk
I
R. J. Curry, Co m n Ward #1 W. Webb, Councilman Ward #2
Finance & Admini trat on Sanitation
Vv
R. H. Wood, Councilman Ward #3 H. Kuhl, Councilman, Ward #4
Parks & Recreation Police, Fire & C.D.
!21Coun ilman, 6Vard #5 C. Porte field, Councilman
Water Department. War #6
Streets & Maintenance
C. M. Chapman,'Couhcilman-at-Large
&4 4 45 "'mma
STREET IMPROVEMENT
BONDS
ELECTION — MARCH 20, 196S
CITY HALL
7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
PROPOSED STREET IMPROVEMENTS
FOR
CITY OF SMYRNA, GEORGIA
$200,000 BOND ISSUE
(41
H I S T O R Y
The City of Smyrna was formally incorporated in 1872, with its boundaries
extending one half mile in each direction from the Old Smyrna Academy.
Practically nothing is known of its early city government because the city hall
with all existing records was destroyed by fire in 1926.
A trolley system connecting Marietta and Atlanta through Smyrna, was
put into operation in 1905 and served the city for 42 years. In 1910, the city
population was 599.
The year 1924 began a new kind of business life for Smyrna when a main
North -South Highway, U. S. 41, was paved. Numerous service stations,
hotels, and eating places grew up to take advantage of the tourist trade along
the highway, but the Great Depression of 1930 quickly curtailed this major
source of income. The important trade which came from this highway was
virtually eliminated when a new four -lane highway was constructed in 1940,
by-passing the City of Smyrna, four miles to the east.
Spring Street was paved at this time to provide access from this new facility
to Smyrna. This represented about the only paved streets in Smyrna, until after
the Second World War, when the county undertook the paving of Concord'
Road, Love Street and Roswell Road, in 1946.
Since that time various streets have been paved until today we have almost
every street in Smyrna paved. These streets were paved by the abutting property
owners, subdivision developers, state and/or county road bonds.
In 1962, a street improvement program widened select streets and re-
surfaced all of the streets within the corporate limits. By co-ordinating this
program with the county, Spring Street was resurfaced from downtown business
district to Argyle School.
1
GENERAL CONDITION S
A major thoroughfare study and plan completed in 1957, stressed the need
for a connection route between South Cobb Drive and the four -lane highway
(U.S. 41) . The location of the Interstate Route 75 and the Perimeter Route i
around Metropolitan Atlanta has further increased the need for this connection.
Realizing the importance of this East-West connector to the city, Concord'
Road was widened to a four -lane facility under a joint city -county contract
during the 1962 Street Improvement Program. The Spring Road connector is
another vital section of this connector. Since this section of the highway
network is a part of the Federal Aid Secondary System, improvements to the
west can be expected to be programmed in the future by the State Highway
Department of Georgia. Due to the previous widening of Concord Road and the
location of the proposed project the most logical improvement for the future
would be Love Street in order that the two four -lanes can be linked.
To obtain access to these main highways from South Cobb, traffic passes
through Smyrna and then by way of Spring Road and Roswell Road to the east
side of the city. By 1964, the average daily traffic volume on Spring had
grown to 4,944 vehicles, and to an estimated 5,500 vehicles at the Reed Road
Grade. The anticipated' average daily traffic volume for the Spring Road
connector is estimated to reach 8,250 in 1974.
The existing Spring Road is not capable of providing safe driving conditions
for the amount of traffic that is presently traveling this road. A survey
of the existing street was made and several unsafe conditions such as narrdw
lanes, hazardous shoulders, and dangerous drainage structures close to the road'
along the route. Some of the conditions are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
In ad-dition, this road is a main walk route for children on their way to
Argyle School. Additional sidewalks are needed along both sides of Spring Road
for the protection of the children of this area.
6
Q. When would work begin on Spring Street if the bond issue is successful?
A. Work could begin as soon as all right-of-way has been purchased and the
normal routing of advertising and award of contract by the Georgia State
Highway Department. The State has this project programmed for early
construction.
Q. How about those people living on Spring Road, will they be able to
get curbs and gutters along with the construction of the street?
A. The project is programmed to have curbs and gutters on both sides of the
street, this will considerably improve the drainage in the area. In addition,
driveways will be constructed for each property owner, greatly improving
the accessibility to the property.
Q. When this connector is complete, where will future extension of this
street be?
A. Since the completion of the widening of Concord Road, the most logical
improvement would be to the short section of Love Street and Concord
Road. Since the street is designated as a Federal Aid Secondary Highway,
Public Hearings are required prior to any final location.
Q. How will the proposed street effect the Spring Street Railroad Crossing?
A. The Spring Street Railroad Crossing will not be closed, however, the
number of vehicles using this crossing will be greatly reduced. Cars
passing through the downtown area will be able to use the new overpass
at the railroad and continue to the West Side of the city with a minimum
of delay.
Q. Won't the widening of Spring Street create a dangerous condition for
the children attending Argyle School?
A. The proposed project will provide sidewalks on both sides of the street
for the children to walk on, therefore, a much safer route will created.
rr
Q. Will Atlanta Terrace be closed?
A. No. At the intersection of the proposed connector, and Atlanta Street, a
channelized intersection with the necessary signal equipment is programmed
which will not require Atlanta Terrace to be closed.
2 11
QUESTION AND ANSWERS
$200,000 STREET IMPROVEMENT BOND PROGRAM
Q. How will payments on the bonds be made without a tax increase?
A. There are several things that can help to provide the additional funds
needed. The biggest factor is the annual increase in the ad valorem tax
digest, caused by annexation, new buildings and other improvements
throughout the city. The new connector will further stimulate growth
by providing easy access to all sections of the city.
Q. What assurance does the average citizen and taxpayer have that there
will not be a tax increase if the new bond issue is approved?
A. All of the City of Smyrna elected officials have agreed not to increase
taxes in connection with the bond issue, and have already set the millage
for the next year to be the same as last year. Each elected official is also
a citizen and taxpayer of the City of Smyrna. You must rely upon the
truth and integrity of future elected officials to continue thereafter
without tax increases.
Q Since 'the proposed connector is located in the East Side of the city,
how can a person living in other sections of town benefit by passage
of the bond issue?
A. Most people do not confine their travel within or upon the streets in
the immediate vicinity of their homes. It should benefit such people
to be able to travel to and from their work easier, safer, and more
conveniently by way of this connector. The circulation of traffic within
the downtown area will also be improved.
Q. Is it true that the City could not have another bond issue until the proposed
issue is completely paid off?
A. Certainly not. The bonding capacity is set by law at seven (77o) per cent
of the ad valorem tax digest. As the tax digest increases annually, the
bonding capacity of the city also increases.
PROPOSED INVESTMENT PROGRAM
A very careful and comprehensive engineering study of the needs and
location of the proposed Spring Road connector has been made. Public hearings
have been held in connection with this program. The location and route of the
connection are shown in the Figure S that is a reduced Title Sheet of the
construction drawings by the Georgia State Highway Department.
As is shown, the proposed project will begin at the intersection of Love
Street and Atlanta Street. At this point adequate channelization and signal
4 equipment is to be installed as required. This will enable north Atlanta Street
to remain open and would afford easy access for this street to the connector
and Atlanta Street. The connector will continue eastward to the existing
Spring Road and then along Spring to the existing four -lane street. The
connector is to be a high type four -lane facility to accommodate the estimated
8,250 average daily vehicles by 1974.
This type of design results in a facility thatis composed of four -lanes
of 12 feet each and including curbes and gutters increasing the width of road-
way to fifty-two feet and providing improved drainage for the entire area. To
illustrate this typical roadway section. Figure 6 is a picture of the similar
section'of the existing improvement' to' Spring Road adjacent to the Perimeter
Route. As is shown, wide paved driveways will be provided far each property
owner, which' in almost all cases will greatly improve the entrance to the
property. At present, sidewalks are programed for both sides of the connector
for the entire length of the project with landscaping between the sidewalk and
the street resulting in an easily maintained and attractive appearance enhancing
the adjacent property.
To remove delay of vehicles on this connector, an overpass is to be
constructed over the L. & N. Railroad at a point just southeast of Elizabeth
Street as indicated in Figure S. This overpass will eliminate an unsafe crossing
r
that now exists and causes many delays to the citizens of Smyrna at Spring
Street and the railroad: however, the crossing will not be closed. In fact, an
unproved intersection of Spring Street and the connector will be provided in
10 3
the vicinity of Elmwood Drive. Figure' 1 indicates. some of the normal traffic
S•.UMMARY
delays at this point. This crossing is also a very dangerous crossing with 4
accidents and 1 injury and at the Atlanta Street and Spring Road there were 1. The City of Smyrna needs to greatly improve Spring Road due to the
S accidents with 4 injuries in 1964. In addition to elimination of an aggrevating ever increasing use of the street as a connector route to the Interstate: 75
and dangerous railroad crossing, the overpass would provide rapid access and Perimeter route around Metropolitan Atlanta.
to fire fighting equipment throughout the city, greatly increasing the
effectiveness of the Fire Department.
This proposed Spring Road connector is programed by the Georgia State
Highway Department to cost an estimated $1,250,000 for construction. The
City of Smyrna and Cobb County arc required to provide the Highway
Department with sufficient right-of-way prior to the beginning of construc-
tion on the project. In order to obtain the estimated $1,250,000 connector
the City of Smyrna will have to spend an estimated $200,000 for the right-
of-way. Cobb County has already programed their share of acquiring right-
of-way cost. This represents approximately 16% of the cost of construction.
Upon completion of the right-of-way acquisition the Georgia State Highway
Department will begin steps for the early construction of the project.
METHOD OF FINANCING
As has been indicated in the previous section dealing with the cost of
the Street Improvement Program for Smyrna, we see that this represents an
expenditure of $200,000. In reviewing this cost the Mayor and Council felt
that these improvements should be financed with general obligation bonds.
Therefore, it is understood that the Mayor and City Council will call for a
Bond Referendum so that the citizens of Smyrna may vote to. determine whether
or not they wish to have these improvements. According to present evaluation
of the property within the City of Smyrna, this $200,000 can be financed
through general obligation bonds, without an increase in the present tax rate,
in fact, the Mayor and City Council have already set the tax rate for the
coming year to be the same as last year. We certainly would concur in this
method of financing and do believe that it is the most equitable and fairest
for the citizens of Smyrna that they cast their vote in favor of the street
improvement program to be financed' by general obligation bonds.
4
2. Since the widening of Concord Road, a Federal Aid Secondary System
Highway, this proposed connector would provide another vital link of four -lane
connector highway for the City system improving greatly vehicular cir-
culation for the downtown and residential area.
3. This proposed Spring Road connector would consist of a wide four -lane
facility, with improved drainage, curb and gutters, driveways, safe sidewalks,
and an overpass over the railroad, providing increased safety, convenience,
and beauty for the City of Smyrna.
4. Of the estimated construction cost of $1,250,000, the city will be required
to furnish $200,000 which represents a bargain to the city.
S. In view of the many assets offered by the proposed Spring Road connector
we strongly recommend and urge the approval of the proposed $200,000 Street
Improvement Bonds, which can be financed by general obligation bonds without
an increase in the tax rate.
Figure 4
Figure 6
Figure 7
K
Figure 2
Figure i
Figure 3
GEORGIA
STATE HIGHWAY D1�'WSED
TMENT
PLAN AND PROFILE O
DESIGN CRITERIA
TRAFFIC DATA:
A D.V. 6250 , 1974
A.M. PEAK
P.M. PEAK
.E. TRUCK } 7.
SPEED DESIGN: 40-501APH.
S--US-] 3 8 3 (1) COBB CO.
SPRING ROAD
PPnPRAT ATTI PRn ITr-r
POPULATION:
LENGTH OF PROJECT
MILES
NET LENGTH OF ROAOWAr
NET LENGTH OF BRIDGES
NET LENGTH OF PROJECT
NET LENGTH OF EXCEPTION!
GROSS LENGTH OF PROJECF
�B® ®®�
mao�ME
CONVENTIONAL SIGNS
STATE OR COUNTY LDIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CITY LIMIT LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROPKRTT LINs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �-
--
lURVET OR EASE LINK . . . . . . . . . . . . .E•
RISTTNc ...
1 [pUIRRO . . . .
RIGRT 0/'AT LINE J1 LIMIT Or ACCESS . . . �ppO_
00-"
l/TF • LIMIT 0► ACCESS .H._
R/TF MARKERS . .
FENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ l
_ l
RAILROADS ......................
POWER LINE .. . . . . . . . . . . _P-_r_
TELEPHONELINE . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . -T--T-
POWER POLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
TELEPHONE OR TELEGRAPH POLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
Y/Rm 1O pAOYAL
PLAN REVISIONS
F-
A E AT
ICAl_E IN FEET
Figure S o '°° `°° 'zoo I•DG