Marietta City Council Meeting - July 9, 2025: Variances, Millage Rate, and Campus Edge Appeals
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Marietta City Council Meeting - July 9, 2025
The Marietta City Council met on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included the swearing-in of seven new police officers, a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, approval of the FY2026 millage rate (no increase), public hearings on two variance requests, and unscheduled public comments regarding the displacement of tenants from Campus Edge apartments.
Presentations & Proclamations
- New Police Officers: Chief David Beam introduced seven new officers (Alvaro Muniz, Chase Mercado, Joseph Auzenne, Ismail Al-Amin, Jacob Gayton, Tyrae Depalm, Edgar Aguilar). All had graduated from the academy and were in field training.
- Parks and Recreation Month: Councilman Andre Sims read a proclamation declaring July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month. Rich Buss of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department highlighted $30 million in improvements over the past 15 years, funded by the 2009 park bond, with a few remaining projects at West 6 and other sites.
Consent Calendar (Approved 7-0)
- Approval of regular meeting minutes from June 11, 2025 and special meeting minutes from June 25, 2025.
- Reappointment of Dorothy Woodruff to the Historic Board of Review (Ward 1).
- Denial of claims for Scott Davis, Cindy Lu Phoi Tam and Johnny Tam (Council Member Goldstein abstained), Sumellow Jones, Brianna Lawhorne, Julie Doan, and Rosa Pearson.
- Budget amendment for Tree Replacement Fund ($10,175 for Ed Voyles Kia Ph. II).
- Detailed plan for Kennesaw Battle Townhomes (20 units) with conditions on pickleball court lighting and fencing (Council Member Kent voted against).
- First reading of changes to City Code Chapter 9-8 concerning road races/walks.
- Removal of items from Marietta History Center collection.
- Marietta City Schools millage rate (17.970 mills) was added to consent and approved—no increase.
- V2025-11 (Malone’s Automotive variance) was tabled via consent.
- City fee chart modification for road races/walks (5K or less $4,500; greater than 5K $5,500) was tabled via consent.
Scheduled Appearance
- Donald Barth: Thanked staff for the July 4th parade, praised Mark Rice for construction on Roswell Road, and recounted a 911 incident involving a neighbor. He urged continued improvement in emergency response and remembered the late Steve Campisi.
Discussion Items
FY2026 Ad Valorem Tax Levies
City Attorney confirmed three public hearings were held (July 2 at 9 AM & 6 PM, July 9 at 9 AM). No public comments were received in person, but a few inquiries via email/phone were addressed. The millage rate remains unchanged—no increase for 24 consecutive years. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.
V2025-05 – 1810 Williams Drive (Gas Station/Convenience Store)
Applicant requested six variances for a 0.5-acre site zoned CRC. Public testimony included:
- Support: Adam Rosen (applicant’s attorney) and Bob Terrell (longtime local developer) argued the use meets local need and improves the site. Carol Brown (initial opponent) stated her concerns about driveway access had been resolved.
- Opposition: Sam Foster questioned the need for another gas station, citing land use rigidity and a lack of gas station shortage. Council discussion focused on parking (reduced from 21 to 14 spaces after adding three), dumpster location (to be enclosed with brick matching building), removal of billboards, and water main issues. Council made an amendment to require billboard removal and no wood on dumpster gate. Approved (motion by Council Member Kent, seconded) with all variances site-specific.
V2025-09 – 486, 490, 494 Waterman Street & 160 South Avenue (Gravel Driveways & Setback for Fireplace)
Variances sought to allow gravel as parking surface and a zero-foot side setback for a patio and fireplace at 486 Waterman Street. Public testimony:
- Support: Parks Huff (applicant’s representative) noted the aesthetic appeal of sealed pebbles and the privacy benefit of the fireplace. Richard Brown (HOA president) supported the setback variance but not gravel driveways.
- Opposition: Robbie Huck opposed building to property line. Brenda Young and others opposed gravel driveways, citing maintenance and precedent concerns. Sam Foster supported the setback and permeable gravel but noted impervious nature of proposed gravel. Council voted to approve the setback variance (with landscaping and bricking of turn-down foundation) but denied the gravel variance, requiring concrete for all driveways within 60 days. Motion by Council Member Richardson, seconded, passed 7-0.
Waiving Second Reading for Road Races/Walks Ordinance
The council voted to suspend the rules and waive the second reading of ordinance 20250435. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- FY2026 millage rate approved with no increase.
- V2025-05 (Williams Drive) approved with conditions: 14 parking spaces, dumpster enclosure matching architecture, removal of billboards, and site-specific variances.
- V2025-09 (Waterman Street) approved for zero-foot setback but gravel driveways denied; concrete required within 60 days.
- Consent agenda items approved, including Marietta City Schools millage rate and tabled items.
- Road races/walks ordinance advanced to second reading.
- Unscheduled appearances regarding Campus Edge apartments resulted in no formal action; council acknowledged concerns and adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
And uh call to order the city council meeting for Wednesday, July the 9th. And the first item of business, Mr. Shalfant, will you lead us in the invocation in the Pledge of Allegiance? Would everyone please stand our gracious Heavenly Father? We ask that you bless each one here tonight, and that you continue to bless this city, the state of Georgia, and the great nation we live in. We come to you humbly to ask to give this council and mayor your guidance and wisdom in the important decisions they will have to make. We also ask that you provide guidance and wisdom for the leadership of our country as we face many critical decisions in the upcoming years. And we especially ask that you bless our troops in harm's way, our policemen, our firemen, and our other first responders who offer us protection through their daily service. We pray this in your name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Yes. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's my pleasure tonight to introduce to you seven of our newest police officers at the City of Marietta Police Department. My name is David Beam. I'm the chief of police. What I'm going to do is have them come up one at a time and give you a little bit about themselves so they can introduce themselves personally to you. You will see them on the street soon. They have all graduated from the police academy. They have all been sworn in, and they are currently in field training, uh learning the skills of what it's going to take to do the job and take care of our community. So again, they will step up and introduce themselves now. Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Officer Palm. I'll be new officer with Mary P. D. I'm a 31-year-old father of two, uh former Navy vet. And while I chose Marietta, I heard good thing about the city while I was in Augusta Evans, and when I came back down here to the Atlanta area, I'm like, no what I'm gonna pick Mary at the top of my list, and I got in, so here I am. Thank you for having me. Good evening. My name is Jacob Gayton. Um 24 years old. 27 years old. Father two. Uh I'm currently in the Air National Guard, and I'm honored to serve all of you. Morning. My name is Officer Allen. I'm also a father too. I'm from this area. Um the reason why I chose Marietta is just because I love the city and the community and the department has also been great, so that's why I'm here also. Thank you. Hello, my name is Officer Muniz, ACV public safety ambassador for Marietta. So this transition between PSA to the officer is very smooth for me. I also have a associate security in criminal justice. Good evening. I'm Officer Mercado. I'm prior to military six years. Uh and I'm just happy to be here and happy to protect y'all. Good evening. I'm Officer Alzini.
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