In anticipation of the November opening of the Tucker Town Green project, the city council held a first hearing on expanding the Downtown Entertainment District to encompass the park.
At its Sept. 8 meeting, the council discussed a text amendment that would expand the boundary “to further activate the green space and Downtown Tucker,” according to a staff memo about the amendment.
The Downtown Tucker Entertainment District went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. When the district was first created, the Tucker Town Green was excluded from the boundary “as the green space had not been designed or constructed,” the memo said.
“Now that the Town Green is almost complete, staff is proposing to amend the boundary of the district to include it.”
Related story:
• Officials break ground on Tucker Town Green
The Downtown Entertainment District allows in-district Tucker businesses with a consumption on-premise alcohol license to serve specially marked beverages that can be carried outside of the establishments, but within the boundary of the entertainment district.
The program is only in effect when the businesses are operating, and ends at 10 p.m., according to Courtney Smith, the city’s community development director.
During a public hearing, nobody spoke in favor or against the text amendment. The council will take up the matter on second read at a future meeting.
In other action, the council heard from Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson about the awarding of a $298,490 matching grant from the Department of Natural Resources. The funding will be used for bridge and trail improvements at Henderson Park’s waterfall trail.
The council unanimously voted to accept the grant.
The panel also discussed intersection improvements for Hugh Howell Road Road at Rosser Road, which has been the site of 26 crashes during a five-year period.
“The angle of the Rosser Road approach creates limited sight distance and difficult turning movements,” a memo about the project said.
Recommended improvements include:
• realign Rosser Road to create a perpendicular intersection;
• align Rosser Road with Stoneleigh Drive, resulting in a four-way intersection;
• utilize existing right-of-way to limit the acquisitions and minimize impacts to adjacent properties;
• install a traffic signal, if warranted;
• maintain the existing left turn lane onto Rosser Road and install eastbound and westbound right turn lanes, if warranted;
• improve safety by prohibiting left turns at the Hugh Howell and Rosser Road intersection;
• design for future installation of a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail along Hugh Howell Road.
City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt answered questions from the council regarding the improvements. Public input will be solicited from residents living near the intersection.
Hildebrandt recommended hiring Pond and Company to conduct a design for the project at a cost of $205,000, which would include data collection, traffic analysis, concept and final design and right-of-way plans. The council approved the expenditure.
In other action, the council:
• heard that the grand opening day for the Tucker Town Green is scheduled for Nov. 14;
• Award a $98,000 contract to Sunbelt Traffic to modify the vehicular lane configuration at Chamblee Tucker Road from Britt Road to Tuckersham Lane;
• was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by newly hired Tucker city employees.
After executive session, the council voted to acquire a right-of-way at 4320 Cowan Road for $52,489.
