City Sprucing Up Tree Ordinance
Sandy Springs is revising its tree ordinance in an effort to save trees and provide more shade for parking lots. A public comment phase during the next few months will give citizens a chance to offer input. The City Council’s vote is tentatively set for November. The new ordinance is a revision of a 20-year-old ordinance, which will be tailored to suit the needs of Sandy Springs.
Book Outlines Making of Sandy Springs
A book by Sandy Springs resident Oliver Porter provides a complete "how to" approach to establishing partnerships between governments and private industry. "Creating the New City of Sandy Springs" explains how private outsourcing helped Sandy Springs become a city in December 2005. Porter served the City as chairman of the Governor’s Commission, volunteer city manager and chairman of the Charter Commission. The book shows other cities how they can benefit from outsourcing their services.
Read more here.
Coalition to Offer Feedback
Sandy Springs teamed up with the Livable Communities Coalition to get some objective, independent feedback on planning and development. The Coalition reviewed and critiqued the Sandy Springs Overlay District and Proposed Amendment, Livable Centers Initiative Plan, Interim Comprehensive Plan and other development strategies.
Staff Gets Ready For Move to City Hall
Sandy Springs staff still located in the Transition Office on Perimeter Center Place are preparing for their move this fall to City Hall at Morgan Falls. Citizens are asked to follow signs when coming to City Hall, as some departments are shifting locations during the renovation process.
Directions to City Hall.
Town Hall Meetings Set for September
Councilmember Karen McEnerny will hold a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Holy Innocents’ Inglett Room, 805 Mount Vernon Highway. Councilmember Dave Greenspan will hold his Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Brandon Hall School. For times and locations on these and other City meetings, visit our calendar.
Study Keys on Traffic Signals
A local consultant will collect traffic counts to help develop new signal-timing plans for 26 traffic signals in Sandy Springs. The boundaries are Hammond Drive on the north, Glenridge Connector on the south, Glenridge Drive on the west and Peachtree Dunwoody on the east. The project, a joint effort of Sandy Springs and the Perimeter Community Improvement District to ease traffic congestion, is expected to be complete by October 2006.
City Council Meetings
This month's City Council meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 and 19. There will be a work session at 6 p.m. Sept. 12. For a complete schedule of City Council meetings, click here.
Program Aimed at Curbing Illegal Signs
The Community Development department has introduced a Citizen Deputy Program, which enlists the help of citizen volunteers to help keep the City free of prohibited signs and other code violations. Illegal signs cause clutter and can obstruct drivers’ vision when placed in rights-of-way. A training session for Citizen Deputies is tentatively scheduled for October. Details will be available in the coming weeks on the Sandy Springs Web site at www.sandyspringsga.org.
Important Note on Tax Codes
Citizens may wish to check their tax statements to ensure they are coded for Sandy Springs. If a Sandy Springs taxpayer is paying real estate, personal property or motor vehicle taxes for tax years before 2006, the bill or renewal notice will indicate the 55 series tax district. If a Sandy Springs taxpayer is paying 2006 real estate taxes, the tax bill will indicate a tax district of 59 or 59B. For personal property or motor vehicle taxes, the tax bill or renewal notice will indicate a tax district of 59.
City Seeks Input on Recreation Plan
Sandy Springs is inviting citizen comments and suggestions during two public meetings about the City’s Recreation Master Plan. Meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 6 at North Springs High School, and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Riverwood High School. Citizens are encouraged to voice their ideas and concerns in an open-forum setting.
Students Can Become Pages
The Mayor and City Council Page Program offers students an opportunity to learn about local government by helping during Council meetings. Students currently enrolled in middle or high school in the City are eligible.
For complete information, click here.