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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Johns Creek City Council Meeting – July 13, 2026

City Council — Monday, July 13, 2026

BodyJohns Creek, Georgia

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, July 13, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:10:40

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0:01

Okay, Mayor, we're recording now.

0:03

Thank you so much for your patience.

0:04

All right.

0:06

Welcome everyone.

0:08

Just uh want to open this meeting of the Johns Creek City Council this July 13th at 712 p.m.

0:18

Thank you.

0:19

At this time I'll call roll.

0:20

Please.

0:21

Councilmember Tunkey?

0:22

Councilmember Skinner.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Aramelli.

0:25

Present.

0:25

Councilmember Coughlin?

0:26

Present.

0:27

Councilmember D.B.

0:28

Here.

0:28

Councilmember Elwood.

0:30

I'm here virtually.

0:32

Thank you so much.

0:34

And at this time, I'd like to invite Kasen Anderson to come forward and lead us in our Pledge of Allegiance.

0:40

You look so nice this evening.

0:41

Everyone, please stand.

0:48

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:52

And so the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:08

That was great.

1:09

Thank you.

1:10

Mayor's opening remarks.

1:12

Yeah, uh, just want to highlight that we are going to have another soccer watch party on Sunday, uh, July 19th at 3 p.m.

1:20

at Newtown Park.

1:22

And I don't know how many of you got to join us for the America 250 celebration for Independence Day that we had.

1:30

There are five of the council members that were there.

1:33

That's our uh corral, I believe, singing, and that's the JCVA doing the color guard and the orchestra.

1:42

And I don't know how many pictures we've got.

1:44

All right, this is Chris Coughlin competing in a Ben Franklin look-alike contest.

1:50

Um, and that's the Parade Stars.

1:54

And uh we just had a a lot of really great uh family fun that night and a lot of uh pride uh in the country.

2:02

And it was a a little bit of a stress test in a good way for the boardwalk, and I think for the most part it came through the flying colors.

2:10

But uh let's see, I'm probably forgetting a few folks.

2:14

We had the kids in the parade of stars, we had the daughters of the American Revolution that handed out flags, the Johns Creek CBB supported the event.

2:22

We had a lot of community volunteers.

2:24

I want to thank our city staff, especially all of our parks and rec and police and fire.

2:29

It was definitely uh a big night for them, and they came through for us.

2:33

The ACE committee that helped plan the event, uh, and like I said, the orchestra and the corral and Gibb Green uh that did the electric guitar rendition of the national anthem.

2:45

But uh hopefully uh we'll see you there next year.

2:49

And uh with that, next item.

2:53

Thank you, Mayor.

2:54

The next item on the agenda are your minutes.

2:56

You have the June 1st work session summary and council minute meeting minutes before you and also our June 15th retreat summary.

3:04

Okay, Mr.

3:05

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes uh as presented.

3:11

Okay.

3:12

Thank you, Councilmember D.B.

3:14

Thank you for the second councilmember Coughlin.

3:16

Any discussion?

3:18

Seeing none, all those in favor.

3:20

Okay.

3:23

Thank you.

3:24

The next item on the agenda is approval of the meeting agenda this evening.

3:28

Mayor, I would like to make a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Environmental Protection█████████████████17%

Technology and Innovation████████████12%

Procedural███████████11%

Zoning Regulations██████████10%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%

Parks and Recreation█████████9%

Community Engagement███████7%

Transportation Safety███████7%

Public Engagement████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Johns Creek City Council Meeting – July 13, 2026

The Johns Creek City Council met on July 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM (starting at 7:12 PM) at City Hall. The meeting covered routine approvals, recognition of two statewide awards for the Boardwalk at Town Center, public comments, reports, and several new business items including zoning text amendments for home occupations and advanced air mobility (vertiports), two Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA) certificates, appointments to a transportation committee, and the naming of the amphitheater at Newtown Park. The crowd estimate for the July 3 America 250 celebration was 12,000–15,000 attendees.

Consent Calendar

Lease Agreement with Land Baron Properties, LLC: Approved for a portion of the abandoned Old Wilson Road right-of-way.

Presentations

Statewide Awards for Boardwalk at Town Center: The Public Works team received the Georgia Chapter of the American Water Resources Association's Innovative Stormwater Project of the Year and the Georgia Chapter of the American Public Works Association's Project of the Year. The awards recognized the project's combination of stormwater management, wetland restoration, multimodal transportation, recreation, and placemaking.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bob Stevens (resident, 185 Winford Close): Expressed appreciation for the council's balanced and responsible policy-making and forward-looking strategic approach, as well as the city staff's excellent execution.
Second Public Comment (unnamed resident): Suggested converting the old fire station across from Newtown Park into a youth space, similar to the senior center.

Reports

Manager's Monthly Report – May 2026: Presented via a video highlighting strategic priorities and accomplishments in public safety, economic development, recreation, parks, transportation, and arts and culture. The July 3 event was noted as a major success with strong staff collaboration.

Discussion Items

Zoning Text Amendment – Home Occupations (A-26-002): Staff initiated amendment to modernize home occupation regulations. Council had previously reached consensus on four changes: allowing accessory structures, allowing automobile detailing, prohibiting on-site retail/wholesale of goods, and prohibiting transport by truck of goods created by a home occupation. The public hearing had no speakers. Council members expressed support for promoting home-based businesses. Approved unanimously.
Zoning Text Amendment – Advanced Air Mobility (A-26-004): Staff presented a forward-looking ordinance to define advanced air mobility (AAM), eVTOL aircraft, vertiports, and allow vertiports as a special use in specific non-residential zoning districts (OI, C1, C2, M1A, M1 Mixed, TCX, TCB). Requirements include a 200-foot setback from residential districts, schools, public parks, and AG1 districts, and submission of a study by a recognized aviation consultant. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Bob Stevens spoke in support. Council members discussed the evolving FAA and GDOT regulations, the need for public education, and coordination with neighboring cities. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
MRPA Certificate – 10555 Embry Farm Road (RC-26-0001): Application for 189 single-family detached lots on 204.1 acres with 4,600 linear feet of Chattahoochee River frontage. Proposed land disturbance (4,332,173 sq ft) and impervious surface (1,294,232 sq ft) are below maximums. Atlanta Regional Commission found the proposal consistent with the River Corridor Plan. Bryson Mercer (Toll Brothers) noted coordination with the National Park Service on trails and BMPs. Councilmember Skinner opposed, citing concerns about density, character, and environmental impact; he had not supported the original rezoning. The motion carried with one dissenting vote (6-1). Councilmember Skinner noted he voted against the original rezoning but supported the MRPA as an administrative process.
MRPA Certificate – 9355 Riverclub Parkway (RC-26-0002): Proposed construction of a 450 sq ft porch, 164 sq ft deck, and 40 sq ft bathroom extension. Land disturbance and impervious surface are within limits. ARC found consistency. The builder, Chris Manley, spoke in favor. Approved unanimously.
Appointment to North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan Committee (R2026-07-11): Mayor nominated Michael Fitzgerald and Christine Austin. Council members praised their qualifications and community involvement. Approved unanimously.
Naming the Amphitheater at Newtown Park: The ACE Committee recommended three names (Founders, Freedom, Heroes). The mini-retreat discussed

Meeting Transcript

Okay, Mayor, we're recording now. Thank you so much for your patience. All right. Welcome everyone. Just uh want to open this meeting of the Johns Creek City Council this July 13th at 712 p.m. Thank you. At this time I'll call roll. Please. Councilmember Tunkey? Councilmember Skinner. Here. Councilmember Aramelli. Present. Councilmember Coughlin? Present. Councilmember D.B. Here. Councilmember Elwood. I'm here virtually. Thank you so much. And at this time, I'd like to invite Kasen Anderson to come forward and lead us in our Pledge of Allegiance. You look so nice this evening. Everyone, please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And so the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. That was great. Thank you. Mayor's opening remarks. Yeah, uh, just want to highlight that we are going to have another soccer watch party on Sunday, uh, July 19th at 3 p.m. at Newtown Park. And I don't know how many of you got to join us for the America 250 celebration for Independence Day that we had. There are five of the council members that were there. That's our uh corral, I believe, singing, and that's the JCVA doing the color guard and the orchestra. And I don't know how many pictures we've got. All right, this is Chris Coughlin competing in a Ben Franklin look-alike contest. Um, and that's the Parade Stars. And uh we just had a a lot of really great uh family fun that night and a lot of uh pride uh in the country. And it was a a little bit of a stress test in a good way for the boardwalk, and I think for the most part it came through the flying colors. But uh let's see, I'm probably forgetting a few folks. We had the kids in the parade of stars, we had the daughters of the American Revolution that handed out flags, the Johns Creek CBB supported the event. We had a lot of community volunteers. I want to thank our city staff, especially all of our parks and rec and police and fire. It was definitely uh a big night for them, and they came through for us. The ACE committee that helped plan the event, uh, and like I said, the orchestra and the corral and Gibb Green uh that did the electric guitar rendition of the national anthem. But uh hopefully uh we'll see you there next year. And uh with that, next item. Thank you, Mayor. The next item on the agenda are your minutes. You have the June 1st work session summary and council minute meeting minutes before you and also our June 15th retreat summary. Okay, Mr.

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