Norcross Regular Council Meeting - April 6, 2026

The Norcross City Council held a Regular Council Meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. (called to order at 6:35 p.m.) in Council Chambers. Mayor Craig Newton presided, with Councilmembers Marshall Cheek, Josh Bare, Matt Myers, and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Gaynor present; Councilmember Andrew Hixson was absent. The meeting covered several public hearings and discussion items, including a rezoning for Academy Street, a historic demolition request, an ethics ordinance revision, bond financing for the Public Safety Building, direction for executive search services, approval of the expanded downtown parking construction budget, and a joint special response team memorandum of understanding. Numerous public comments addressed local legislative updates and development projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arlene Beckles (State Representative): Thanked the Mayor for working with her on HB 1116 and provided legislative updates related to seniors and healthcare, including SB 444 (AI coverage protections), SB 503 (insurance fraud protections), SB 220 (medical cannabis access), SB 428 (mental health), and HB 1000 (senior benefits and gas price relief). She discussed homestead exemption protections, estate planning improvements, and suggested providing a paper newsletter for older residents without internet access.
• Jyot Singh (Candidate for House District 97): Spoke on growth and development, emphasizing strong local government, community engagement, and increased access to healthcare and education for working families.
• Barbara Morgan (307 Academy Street, resident): Expressed support for the RZ2025-007 development (290 and 300 Academy Street) by Robert Furrow, stating it would positively impact the city. She opposed prohibiting private alleys and adding on-street public parking on Academy Street, and supported the off-street parking in the plan.
• Kay Nation (166 North Barton Street, resident): Expressed concern about the project at 146 N Barton Street, noting the size increase from an initial estimate of 2,600 square feet to approximately 4,900 square feet, including a three-car garage and porches. She stated the proposal had changed and should have returned to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for review. She questioned the extent of historic preservation in the current plans.
• Jim Eyre (DDA/URA): Spoke about redeveloping the Peachtree parking lot, stating that several parking studies have been completed and pricing has been obtained for striping and concrete work. He noted the next step is project phasing and that the existing car on the site will be moved off-site to a shop in Conyers.

Public Hearings

1. RZ2025-007 – 290 and 300 Academy Street (Rezoning to PRD)

• Applicant Robert Furrow presented a proposal for a single-family subdivision of up to 15 units with rear alley access, a rebuilt Tudor-style house at 290 Academy Street, and enhanced streetscape. He offered optional conditions regarding fences/walls and the inclusion of on-street parking, strongly advocating for a private alley to enable green design and maintain property values.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers debated the public vs. private alley issue. Some argued for a public alley to ensure city maintenance and taxpayer fairness, while others supported the applicant's private alley for design flexibility. The approved motion included a fence/wall option, a public alley with specific design criteria per the applicant’s alternative condition, and HOA maintenance of common areas.
• Vote: Motion to approve with conditions passed 4-0 (Cheek, Bare, Myers, Gaynor; Hixson absent).

2. COA2025-027 – Historic Demolition and New Home (146 N. Barton Street)

• Applicant Susan Tanner stated the home’s footprint is 2,200 square feet (not 4,900), with the three-car garage similar to a storage unit. She indicated the goal is to present a home sympathetic to the neighborhood and historic character, and to preserve what is possible on a challenging lot.
• Public Comment: A former councilmember (Davis) spoke in favor of demolition due to the building’s poor condition and praised the proposed design. Another resident supported the new home as adding value to the community.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers noted discrepancies in square footage figures in the agenda (some listed over 4,000 and 3,000 square feet). Some members emphasized that only the demolition, not the new home design, was before the council and that size details should be left to the ARB and staff. Others supported approval with reuse of historic elements.
• Vote: Motion to approve demolition with reuse of appropriate historic elements and leave new home determination to ARB and staff passed 3-2 (Gaynor, Myers, Mayor Newton breaking the tie in favor; Cheek and Bare against).

3. Amendment of Urban Redevelopment Plan

• Staff Presentation: The amendment supports financing for the Public Safety Building, describing the site as blighted prior to development and justifying urban redevelopment powers.
• Public Comment: None.
• Council Discussion: No questions from council.
• Vote: Approved unanimously (4-0).

Discussion Items

1. Ethics Ordinance Revision (Item 2026-71)

• Staff: Presented an ordinance aligning with the Georgia Municipal Association model with three council-proposed amendments: (1) dismissing complaints with a finding of malicious filing; (2) allowing council to request the hearing officer take additional evidence; (3) extending the time limitation from 90 days to 18 months.
• Council Debate: Councilmember Bare argued for the 18-month limitation to prevent the 90-day “should have known” ambiguity and to enable thorough investigation. Mayor Pro Tem Gaynor worried about political weaponization and swift justice. Councilmember Cheek initially preferred 24 months but agreed to 18. Bare voted against the motion, concerned about insufficient time for some cases.
• Vote: Motion to adopt the ethics ordinance with these amendments passed 3-1 (Cheek, Myers, Gaynor in favor; Bare against; Hixson absent).

2. Bond Financing for Public Safety Building (Item 2026-89)

• Staff: Requested authorization to borrow $6 million for the Public Safety Building. Bond counsel noted interest rate volatility due to the Iran conflict, preventing a rate lock that evening. They sought council approval of the principal amount and direction to schedule a special called meeting to finalize the rate.
• Council Discussion: Council debated borrowing $6 million vs. $8 million to cover future projects (e.g., city hall renovation). Some argued rates might drop, so borrowing only what is needed now and returning later for other projects was prudent. The council agreed on $6 million.
• Vote: Motion to authorize $6 million bond financing and schedule a special called meeting to lock the rate passed unanimously (4-0).

3. Direction for Executive Search Services RFP (Item 2026-107)

• Staff: Received 11 proposals; evaluation summary provided. Council needed to select firms for presentations at the April 20 special called meeting.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Cheek recommended Slavin Management Consultants, Arndt Municipal Support, and Colin Baenziger and Associates based on his corporate research. After some debate about scoring and references, the council agreed on these three.
• Vote: Motion to shortlist Slavin Management Consultants, Arndt Municipal Support, and Colin Baenziger and Associates for presentations passed unanimously (4-0).

4. Construction Budget for Expanded Downtown Parking (Item 2026-103)

• Staff: Recommended approving a construction budget amendment (highest estimate of the two options) to avoid requesting more funds later.
• Council Discussion: Council expressed support for the direction, emphasizing the need for parking and tree preservation.
• Vote: Motion to approve the construction budget amendment passed unanimously (4-0).

5. Joint Special Response Team MOU (Walk-on Item)

• Staff: Requested approval to join an MOU with Lilburn, Snellville, and Walnut Grove to pool resources for a joint special response team, enabling execution of search warrants and larger operations.
• Council Discussion: Minimal discussion; council saw it as a resource-sharing benefit.
• Vote: Motion to approve passed unanimously (4-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approve previous meeting minutes (March 3 and March 16, 2026): Approved 4-0.
• Approve Consent Agenda (items not moved to discussion):
  • 2026-104: Appropriation of 2023 SPLOST Administration and Transportation funds for Public Safety Building and additional paving – approved.
  • 2026-99: Resolution to update authorized users for Georgia Fund 1 – approved.
  • 2026-100: Award of contract for Safety Action Plan with Kimley-Horn – approved.
  • 2026-101: Approval of contract for Thrasher Park Lighting project – approved.
  • 2026-125 (walk-on): Joint Special Response Team MOU – approved.
  • All consent items voted unanimously (4-0) with no objections.

Key Outcomes

• RZ2025-007 (Academy Street): Approved 4-0 with conditions including a public alley with design flexibility, fence/wall option, and HOA maintenance of common areas.
• COA2025-027 (146 N Barton Street): Demolition approved 3-2 with reuse of historic elements; new home design to be determined by ARB and staff.
• Urban Redevelopment Plan Amendment: Approved 4-0 to support Public Safety Building financing.
• Ethics Ordinance: Adopted 3-1 with 18-month time limitation and amendments allowing malicious filing dismissal and additional evidence requests.
• Public Safety Building Bonding: Authorized $6 million borrowing; special called meeting to be scheduled to finalize interest rate.
• Executive Search: Shortlist of Slavin Management Consultants, Arndt Municipal Support, Colin Baenziger and Associates selected for presentations on April 20, 2026.
• Downtown Parking Expansion: Construction budget amendment approved 4-0.
• Joint Special Response Team: MOU with Lilburn, Snellville, and Walnut Grove approved 4-0.
• Board Appointment: Angela Faustina appointed to Norcross Public Arts Commission through December 1, 2027 (approved 4-0).

Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.; followed by executive session.