Marietta City Council Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Marietta City Council convened on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber for an agenda review session that included presentations, public hearings, and votes on several items. Key actions included approval of a consent agenda, rezoning of a former railroad right-of-way, traffic calming on North Hill Crest Drive, a stream buffer variance for a residential lot, and a sidewalk waiver for a new subdivision. The council also heard public comments on data center regulations, homelessness, pedestrian safety, and democracy concerns.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Two new Marietta Police officers (Officer Van Omen and another) were introduced after graduating from the State Police Academy on August 21, 2026, and sworn in on September 1, 2026. Two fire lieutenants (Lieutenant Simons and Lieutenant Brown) were recognized for completing peace officer certification, bringing their total city service to 12–13 years.
• The Marietta Fire Department presented the third-grade fire safety poster contest winners. The 2026 theme was "Charge into Fire Safety," focusing on safe charging of devices. Winners from multiple elementary schools received a ride home in a fire truck and a t-shirt; the grand prize winner (name not read in transcript) also received a $50 gift card to Marietta Pizza.
• The Marietta Board of Lights and Water (BLW) presented awards for the Public Power and Clean Water Week poster contest. Winners included Israel Porter (water grand prize, $100) and Jose Elias (power grand prize, $100).
• A proclamation was read declaring October 15, 2026, as "Condus Presley Day" in Marietta, honoring her award as 2026 Georgia Association of Broadcasters Broadcaster of the Year. The proclamation was presented to her brother.
• A proclamation was read proclaiming October 4–10, 2026, as Fire Prevention Week, urging safe charging habits.
• Announcements included a town hall on October 29, 2026, at Fire Station 51, and the Evergreen Groundbreaking for affordable senior housing on October 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM on Roswell Street.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (minutes of September 9, 2026, and other routine items) by a unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rachel Crohn (resident) advocated for the city to adopt a diversion program for unhoused individuals, modeled after Atlanta's Policing Alternatives and Diversion (PAD) program. She urged the city to work with Cobb County on compassionate solutions rather than criminalization.
• Unnamed speaker (likely same individual) addressed a fatal crash on September 4, 2026, where 17-year-old Daniel Jimenez Gutierrez died on an electric scooter at the All Good Road/Highway 41 intersection. The speaker called for proactive pedestrian safety measures, including removing the intersection from truck routes or limiting vehicle sizes, and criticized the city's slow response to pedestrian fatalities.
• Joel Becker (resident, age 16) criticized the council for ignoring public demands on data centers and Flock cameras, accusing them of betraying their oath to the Constitution and democracy. He urged the council to listen to constituents over campaign donors.
• Lindsay Coke (Ward 3 resident) voiced concerns about the data center ordinance process. She noted the loss of Georgia Tech expertise (Ale Durham) and warned that a special use permit without a comprehensive ordinance would lead to project-by-project negotiations. She asked the council to extend the moratorium, bring in new experts, and hold public sessions before drafting an ordinance.
• Dalbar Barth (St. John Avenue resident) criticized the city's handling of infrastructure, stormwater, blighted properties, and the SPLOST vote. He accused the council of neglecting neighborhood issues and mismanaging development reviews.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning of former Railroad Street right-of-way (Case Z-2026-23): Applicant Kevin Moore presented a request to rezone a 0.071-acre strip (3,000 sq ft) at 116 Jordan Street from unzoned to R-4 (single-family residential, 4 units per acre). The strip was discovered to be privately owned after a title examination revealed it had been abandoned by Cobb County years ago. The rezoning aligns with a larger project approved in January 2026 on Roselane Street. The public hearing had no speakers. Council approved the rezoning unanimously (7-0).
• Traffic calming on North Hill Crest Drive (Case 20261914): Public Works Director Mark Rice presented a proposal for three speed tables between Whitlock Drive and South Hill Crest Drive. A public meeting in October 2025 and a ballot of 23 affected parcels yielded 18 signatures in favor (exceeding the 70% threshold). Estimated cost $4,500. One resident (Bruce Hamilton, 361 North Hill Crest) opposed, citing stormwater concerns and lack of notice about approval. Another resident (Jordan Langland, 303 North Hill Crest) supported, noting speeds exceeded 50 mph and the need for safety. The council approved the traffic calming plan, with Mr. Rice agreeing to meet with Mr. Hamilton to discuss placement near his property. Vote 7-0.
• Stream buffer variance for 1673 Crestridge Drive (Case 20261915): Applicant Pete Bilson requested a variance for 1,805 sq ft of encroachment into the 75-foot impervious stream buffer and 3,274 sq ft into the 50-foot undisturbed stream buffer (total 5,079 sq ft) to build a single-family home. Staff concurred the lot is unbuildable without a variance. The floodplain (25-foot state buffer) would not be disturbed. Mitigation included a $5,000 cash bond and a revegetation plan. Public comment included concerns from council member about the lot split creating a hardship. Council debated the grandfathering status under the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975. The variance was approved 5-2. (Vote tally: 5 in favor, 2 against.)
• Sidewalk waiver for Trayton Homes subdivision (Case 20261919): Applicant Kevin Moore requested a variance to waive sidewalk requirements on interior streets (Croft, Burnap, Jordan) for a 19-lot R-4 subdivision off Roselane Street. The developer had already agreed to a protected pedestrian crosswalk across Roselane and to improve Jordan Street and Railroad Street. The infill overlay ordinance requires sidewalks but allows waivers. Council debated donation of right-of-way for future sidewalks. A substitute motion by Councilwoman Richardson passed 6-1: sidewalks required on Roselane; no sidewalks on Croft or Railroad; donation of right-of-way for future sidewalk on the north side of Jordan Street only (no construction now); the protected crosswalk remains. The original motion by Councilman Anderson (approve as presented) was defeated. Vote on substitute motion: 6-1, with the one dissenting vote from Councilman Anderson.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Rezoning of former Railroad Street strip (Case Z-2026-23) approved 7-0.
• Traffic calming on North Hill Crest Drive (Case 20261914) approved 7-0, with a commitment to discuss placement with an affected resident.
• Stream buffer variance for 1673 Crestridge Drive (Case 20261915) approved 5-2.
• Sidewalk waiver for Trayton subdivision (Case 20261919) approved 6-1 on a substitute motion requiring right-of-way donation for future sidewalks on north Jordan Street and maintaining Roselane sidewalks and the protected crosswalk.