Marietta City Council Agenda Review & Work Session - April 15, 2026
Marietta City Council Agenda Review & Work Session - April 15, 2026
This meeting served as an agenda review and work session ahead of the regular council meeting. Council approved prior minutes, discussed zoning cases, received staff updates on transportation technology and community projects, and handled consent items. Actions were preliminary with the expectation of formal votes at the evening public hearing.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: Motion to approve regular meeting minutes from March 11, 2026, carried 7–0.
- Consent Items Approved Without Objection: Street closure request (agenda item 0310), World Cup grant (start date corrected to July 4, 2025), light post banners for World Cup and 250th celebration, year-end budget amendment ($722,000), BLW property purchase agreement, and other administrative items.
Discussion Items
- 890 Camp Road (Zoning 5B): Council discussed a requested parking variance for a senior housing development (55+ FHA restricted). The applicant requested 1.25 parking spaces per unit instead of the ordinance-required 2, citing fewer vehicles per senior household. Similar variances had been granted in other developments near bus stops; a bus stop near the site was confirmed. No formal vote; item to proceed to public hearing.
- 1033 Franklin (Public Hearing): Updated packet included a draft ordinance, planning commission recommendation (unanimous 5–0 approval), and a county letter withdrawing its objection with stipulations. Council noted the county requested a reversionary clause, which the city attorney stated is not legally permissible in Georgia. The objection's arbitration period had already expired. Discussion also covered defining "adjacent" properties regarding screening requirements. Item scheduled for public hearing at 7 p.m.
- 1912/1920 Lil Rosal (Annexation): An updated stipulation letter from the applicant committed to reducing impervious surface from the requested variance of 80.5% down to 80%. Council clarified this commitment would eliminate the need for that variance. Item moved forward.
- Executive Session: Council voted 6–0 to enter executive session for a legal matter originating from HR. Brief session concluded; no action reported.
Staff Updates & Reports
- Train Technology (Trainfo): The city deployed AI-based train detection sensors at four rail crossings, providing real-time blocked crossing info to Google Maps and Waze. The Federal Railroad Administration visited and praised the system. Response times for first responders have decreased by 90% during train blockages. Next phases include blank-out signs to redirect traffic and integrating with traffic signals to clear the square.
- Excel Leadership Cohort – Sensory Playground: City staff from the management development program completed an outdoor sensory classroom at Hickory Hills Elementary School for special education students, including a communication board for non‑verbal students. Project was funded by donations and built by the cohort.
- Lineman Rodeo: The American Public Power Association’s national lineman rodeo was hosted by Marietta; participants were recognized at a recent BLW meeting.
- Downtown Drainage Project: Stormwater infrastructure upgrades on South Park and West Park are nearing completion. Final paving remains; project expected to finish before Taste of Marietta.
- Police Department: Currently two vacancies; one filled next week, leaving one. Twelve candidates are under review; academy graduation scheduled for next Friday. Staffing expected to reach full capacity within 3–4 weeks.
- Fire Prevention: Emphasis on proactive inspections and smoke detector program in neighborhoods; scheduling pending for cooler weather.
- Community Events: Social Security webinar (April 21, 11 a.m.), skincare screening (April 23, 1 p.m., City Hall), and city picnic "Lawn Luau" (May 15).
- Legislative Update: Senate Bill 33 on property tax under review; city seeking clarity on whether it supersedes existing freeze. SPLOST final public input meeting held that evening (5–7 p.m.) at City Hall.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes and all consent items approved.
- Zoning cases for 890 Camp Road, 1033 Franklin, and Lil Rosal annexation will proceed to formal public hearing at the 7 p.m. council meeting with recommendations from the work session.
- Executive session completed; no further action reported.
- Staff directed to continue implementing train technology phases and monitor property tax legislation.
- Council to receive SPLOST public comment summary and property tax impact analysis at upcoming committee meetings.
Meeting Transcript
I'm not called the city council meeting in order, please. I think we can see anything. Where is that one? You guys got the agenda work session agenda? Agenda review session. Yes, we're first page. On the minutes, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, let's do that. Well then I'm caught up. Yes, please. I make a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from March 11th, 2026. Second. All those in favor, please like your right hand. Motion carries 70. Now the city council agenda review. Got a good short prayer? I'm I'm ready. I did shortly. Schedule have one schedule appears, Mr. Barr. Well, the regular meeting minutes from March 11th to March 19th. There are no objections to the remaining. Thank you. Zon in 5B for 890 Camp Road. Thank you, Mayor. No new information to share related to this case. No new information to share. I had a question on that regarding the number of parking spaces, their X and for a variance. Yes, sir. So it's tip is typically what two cars per what is the Yeah, the the ordinance is it would be two spaces per units, and they are requesting 1.25 spaces per unit because of the fact that it's a senior-related housing, and they their typical occupant is let has less vehicles associated with their units. Yes, sir. That was kind of my question too. On on each of their other developments, they have requested and received the lower parking count unit. And the expect it's expected to be developed for and restrict uh restriction for FHA for 55 plus. That's right. So okay. But in each of the other developments, if I might, wasn't it because they were near bus stops? There's a factor that goes along with that. So there's a calculation that comes to the numbers that actually reduces the total that they're required to have. Okay. Um, but I think the decision wasn't necessarily predicated upon that, correct. Is there a bus stop anywhere over there? It says it's walkable. It's down the street more toward the intersection with Cherokee. I think it's on the side over there. I'm not sure. I can look before the 7 p.m. though. That'd be great.
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