Welcome

November is definitely Novembering this year. Aside from the usual end-of-year school events and holiday planning, a huge election left an unforgettable impact. The data shows another huge turnout, but not as large as 2020. We also saw voters splitting their ballot south of the top presidential line item - especially with county-wide elections. One stark example of this was the Mobility SPLOSTs rejected in both Cobb and Gwinnett, but county leadership was easily elected. District-level elections, however, generated results that were largely, and unfortunately, designed with heavily gerrymandered maps. Voter turnout at the local level is the only remedy to this.

This month’s newsletter is consolidated due to the Board of Commissioners' condensed schedule. I’ll get into the highlights below and continue Part 2 of the Zoning topic for The Big Story.

From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Some of you will find time to relax, some will need to work, some will go on an adventure, and some will experience hardship. For me, this is an important time to reflect, breathe, appreciate all the little things, and hug my family.

What’s Happening in the District 

Tree Lighting and The Grinch!

On Saturday, November 30th, The Battery will host their tree lighting followed by a free outdoor movie with How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

From their website: The Battery Atlanta will kick off the holiday festivities on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. with the Tree Lighting ceremony presented by Wellstar at the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage!

The event will include entertainment from world-class talent The Free. Mark Owens and Atlanta Braves’ mascot BLOOPER will watch the skies to help track Santa as he nears closer to The Battery Atlanta. Following the festivities, families may cuddle up on the green to watch the eighth film in the Xfinity Movie Series, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, on the plaza screen.

Community Spotlight 

This spot is usually dedicated to local nonprofits. However, I recently had the opportunity to speak to a Cub Scouts den about the importance of community service and wanted to share the information I gathered for them.

Cobb County offers several volunteer opportunities through its different agencies. All provide essential services to our community that you can participate in, but one that can really use your help this time of year is Senior Services. Cobb’s Senior Centers give its seniors a place to learn and exercise and often offer much-needed socialization. Some seniors lack the family support that can be meaningful during the holidays.

Below is the flyer I created for the scouts - here are the referenced websites:

• Animal Shelter: cobbcounty.org/animal-services/volunteer

• Water System: cobbcounty.org/water/education/volunteer

• Senior Services: Long Link Here

• More Ideas: cobbcounty.org/communications/volunteer-programs

The Big Story 

In the last Big Story, we dug into Accessory Dwelling Units, aka ADUs. Newly proposed code changes would create a new and very limited ability to build a small free-standing structure in your backyard that could contain everything needed to become a fully functioning “in-law suite.” Since then, the Cobb County Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to delay these changes to allow for more public feedback.

Today’s pertinent topic is the Unified Development Code (UDC). The UDC aims to consolidate, simplify, and modernize its zoning regulations. These regulations are scattered across multiple documents, including the County Code of Ordinances and Development Standards, leading to overlaps and inconsistencies. The UDC will consolidate these into a single document.

Objectives are to:

• Streamline Development Regulations: The UDC seeks to eliminate redundancies and contradictions by unifying various codes, simplifying the development process.

• Reflect Current and Future Needs: Recognizing the county's evolution to a growing community with nearly 800,000 residents, the UDC will address modern uses and technologies not previously considered.

• Support Economic Development and Redevelopment: The UDC encourages intentional and appropriate economic growth and redevelopment in areas with existing infrastructure.

• Preserve Community Character: The code will focus on maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods, protecting natural and historic resources, and providing diverse housing options.

The UDC is being developed in alignment with Cobb County's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, ensuring that policies and regulations work together to guide the county's growth and development.

This project began in 2022 and has been ongoing for the past two years. The first installment of the UDC was released this month, focusing on administrative procedures and general provisions. Subsequent installments will address zoning districts, use regulations, and other critical components.

By implementing the UDC, Cobb County aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and adaptable framework for development, fostering a balanced approach to growth that benefits all community members.

BOC Meeting Recap 

November 12 @ 9:00 AM

The meeting began with impactful presentations, including a $40,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Georgia from funds raised during the Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K. Additional proclamations were made to recognize Operation Green Light for Veterans and National American Indian Heritage Month, which underscored the Board's commitment to honor veterans and celebrate cultural diversity.

The consent agenda highlights included approving a contract for misdemeanor probation services for the Superior Court and several infrastructure improvement projects, such as sewer replacements and detention pond repairs. The Board also supported community-focused initiatives, including applying for a Library Digital Connectivity Grant and accepting a grant to further health improvement programs for seniors. Public safety improvements were prioritized, with approval for a salary adjustment for Fire Grade 4 positions and infrastructure updates for Precinct 6.

The regular agenda addressed infrastructure and transportation projects, including drainage repairs, sidewalk installations, and traffic signal timing enhancements. The Board approved contracts for facility improvements, such as a roof replacement at the East Cobb Government Service Center and a pole barn storage area for the Department of Transportation. Additionally, hearings were scheduled to address alcoholic beverage licenses and health spa license concerns, ensuring compliance with county regulations. The meeting concluded with the appointment of new members to the Highland Rivers Governing Board and the Neighborhood Safety Commission.

November 21 @ 6:00 PM

This meeting began with presentations recognizing local businesses and community efforts. Crystal’s Salon Service and Eryn AI Corp were honored as recipients of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Grant, highlighting their contributions to the local economy. The Board also celebrated community initiatives by presenting a donation to SafePath from proceeds of Gambrill's Great Pumpkin Contest and a proclamation to The Music Studio Atlanta for being named 2024 School of the Year.

During the consent agenda, several projects and agreements, including infrastructure improvements and administrative updates, were approved. Some items included funding allocations for the Tim D. Lee Senior Center and the Firefighters’ Cancer Benefit Program renewal. Transportation projects also featured prominently, with approvals for consulting services, sidewalk engineering designs, and agreements for the Cobb Parkway Pedestrian Bridge renovations. These decisions reinforced the Board's commitment to community safety, accessibility, and development.

The regular agenda advanced significant proposals such as appointing a new Library Director and approval of the 2025 Legislative Agenda. PARKS proposed updates with agreements for picnic shelter installations, new access roads, and park improvements funded by the 2022 SPLOST program and the American Rescue Plan Act. The meeting concluded with the reappointment of key figures to the Board of Tax Assessors, the renaming of the Cobb Library Bookmobile to honor Helen Poyer, and the settlement of a workers' compensation claim.

Important Dates

December 3rd: Planning Commission Zoning Hearing

December 9th: Board of Elections and Registration Meeting

December 10th: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

December 17th: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting