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🚫 Parking and preservation debate
Friday, Aug. 7 — Hey, it’s Hayden with your weekly Norcross newsletter.
This Wednesday’s Norcross PDC meeting was incredibly inspirational, at least for me. Johns Creek resident Lance Cunha, author of “Resolute: My Quest for a New Heart,” was invited by a friend in the Norcross community to discuss lessons learned during his transplant journey.
Cunha, 81, described his heart transplant on New Year’s Day in 2014 as a “miracle.” He finally received an organ match after months on life support at Emory University Hospital. Cunha moved to metro Atlanta from the Northeast for treatment at Emory and higher chances of receiving a matching heart.
Cunha’s humor kept a smile on everyone’s face at 45 South Cafe. I left inspired after hearing about his relationship with his heart donor’s family and the people who never received a match. Learn more about becoming an organ donor here.
⬇️ Quick round-up of things to know:
🏘️ The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is showcasing the rich history and architecture found in Norcross on Saturday, Aug. 15, as part of the ongoing Georgia Trust Expedition. Get tickets here.
🏛️ The Norcross City Council meets again on Monday, Aug. 10. The agenda includes public hearings for the 2027 budget and this year’s property tax rate. The next policy work session is rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 24.
🗓️ Next week’s city calendar has two “Superman” showings for Movie Monday, Day of Play at Lillian Webb Park on Tuesday, and another summer concert on Friday night.
Onto some stories,
🖖 Hayden
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City council debate on demolition moratorium
🏗️ The Norcross City Council met for an Aug. 3 policy work session to discuss the 2027 budget, this fall’s property tax rate, and a moratorium on the demolition of pre-1950 structures.
Elected officials discussed whether a temporary block on all historic demolitions is necessary. Council Member Matt Myers said he opposes the moratorium on the demolition of pre-1950 structures because it’s a “blunt force tool” and a “blanket no.”
“Our current process is to review each individual plan and make a decision,” Myers said. “This moratorium only says, ‘we don’t want to review those applications.’”
🏛️ Read more about council’s latest policy work session here.
Meet the People at the Heart of Perimeter’s Community
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
🤝 Community doesn’t just happen. It takes people who create reasons to connect.
Meet Rosemary Watts of Create Dunwoody and Nikki Washington of Perimeter Connects, two leaders helping transform Perimeter into a place where people want to gather, explore, and belong.
📹 Watch their stories in the Heart of Perimeter video series and discover what’s bringing people together.
Nov. 3 special election set to address council vacancy
🕊️ The Norcross City Council officially called for a Nov. 3 special election to fill the vacancy left by the late Marshall Cheek.
The community and city officials are still mourning the loss of Cheek, who died in mid-June. In early August, Council Member Josh Bare quoted one of Cheek’s frequent sayings: “We can walk and chew gum at the same time.”
Mayor Craig Newton said it’s been difficult for the council to make a quorum, requiring at least four of six voting members, since losing Cheek. The city is looking for someone to finish out Cheek’s term.
🗳️ Read about qualifications for this fall’s municipal election here.
👩⚕️ Magnolia Veterinary Care– Care that feels different, because it is.Comprehensive, compassionate veterinary care for every stage of your pet’s life. We’re welcoming new patients now -3631 Chamblee Tucker Rd., Suite E. Give us a call today or request an appointment online. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Norcross planning board votes on volunteer compensation
💵 During an Aug. 5 meeting of the Norcross Planning & Zoning Board, Senior Planner LeDarius Scott said board members may have the opportunity to earn $950 a year or $75 per meeting, received via check, or a “Christmas bonus” at the end of the year.
“This has been a rule in our code that’s been there for a while; we don’t know why,” Scott said. “The Planning & Zoning Board is an important board that we have for the city. You all make the recommendations for rezonings and special-use permits, and very important matters.”
Scott said Assistant City Manager Tracey Rye recommended the code change, and staff found no reason the board couldn’t be compensated. He said the proposal will go before the Norcross City Council at its Aug. 24 work session, with a final vote in September.
The board also recommended approval of a code amendment requiring a special permit for all car-related sales and services in the city’s general business zoning district.
🚗 Read more about the volunteer compensation proposal and other recommended code changes here.
Who should pay for downtown parking: taxpayers or developers?
🚗 Council members are debating whether to change city code, essentially eliminating a requirement that downtown commercial businesses provide public parking spaces.
The disagreement on council is over how to attract new businesses and who should be responsible for constructing more parking in and around the city’s historic downtown.
Is the downtown parking situation satisfactory? While the city has plans to add more spaces at city hall, should new businesses and developments also be required to do so? Let me know.
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