Roswell City Council Meeting of August 10, 2026: Rezoning Denied, Stormwater & Data Center Ordinances, Green Street Funding
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Roswell City Council Meeting of August 10, 2026
The Roswell Mayor and Council met on Monday, August 10, 2026, at an evening session called to order by Mayor Mary Robishow. Councilmembers present were Sarah Beeson (Mayor Pro Tem), Alan Souse, Christine Hall, Aaron Brumley, and Christopher Zack. Councilmember Jennifer Phillip was excused. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a consent agenda, public comments, and several regular agenda items including a rezoning request, stormwater management ordinance amendments, data center regulations, and a funding application for Green Street improvements.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, which included items related to public safety headquarters improvements and a roundabout on Pine Grove at North Coleman, was approved unanimously. Before approval, public speakers raised concerns: Janet Russell questioned the purchase arrangement for the public safety building (seller retained free use of half the building), and Doug Fernandez opposed the roundabout, citing traffic issues. Staff explained that the building was purchased for $8 million (well below appraisal) and the lease-back arrangement allowed the seller to recoup value; improvements were only for the police/fire side.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Janet Russell (Roswell resident): Expressed concern about the public safety headquarters deal, asking about improvements and the seller's free lease of half the building. Staff provided background on the discounted purchase and lease arrangement.
- Doug Fernandez (1315 Land of Lakes Drive): Opposed the proposed roundabout on Pine Grove at North Coleman, questioning its necessity and traffic impact.
- Michael Fischler (Harlow neighborhood resident): Spoke in support of rezoning 0 Old Roswell Road to allow 65 additional townhomes, citing the neighborhood's history, affordable housing, and survey results from the comprehensive plan. He argued environmental constraints made commercial development unfeasible.
Discussion Items
- Rezoning Request (0 Old Roswell Road): Applicant Den Webb (Pope and Land) requested rezoning from OR (Office Residential) to residential townhomes for the third phase of Harlow. Planning commission and staff recommended denial due to inconsistency with the 2045 comprehensive plan, which designates the area as an employment center. Councilmembers Souse and Hall argued for preserving commercial land for economic development. Councilmember Beeson expressed initial openness but later voted with the majority. A motion to approve failed 2-3, and a motion to deny passed 3-2.
- Stormwater Management Ordinances (Second Readings): Two ordinances amending UDC Section 12.5 and Code of Ordinances Article 7.2 (post-development stormwater management) were presented as second readings with no changes from prior approvals. No public comments. Both passed unanimously.
- Data Center Ordinance (Second Reading): An ordinance amending the UDC to regulate data centers, including buffer standards and visual attenuation requirements, was presented. Councilmembers praised staff for extensive research and collaboration. No public speakers. Passed unanimously.
- Green Street Phase 2 Funding (GTIB Loan & Grant Application): Transportation Director Andy Flaggar requested authorization to apply for a $1.5 million grant and up to $3 million loan (recommended 10-year term at 3.04% interest) from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank to complete Green Street improvements from Cherry Way to Woodstock Street (estimated total $4.75 million). Councilmember Souse asked about terms: no offering costs, 1% prepayment penalty, no time limit on construction. The vote was tied 2-2, with Mayor Robishow casting the deciding vote in favor, making the final count 3-2 to authorize the application.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Rezoning (0 Old Roswell Road): Denied by a vote of 3-2. No further action.
- Stormwater Ordinances (UDC 12.5 & Code 7.2): Approved on second reading, effective immediately.
- Data Center Ordinance: Approved on second reading, effective immediately.
- Green Street Phase 2 Funding: Motion to authorize GTIB grant and loan application passed 3-2 (Mayor Robishow casting tie-breaking vote). Application due August 21, 2026; council will consider acceptance if awarded.
- Closed Session: Council voted unanimously to hold a closed session on August 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel, litigation, and real estate.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the City of Roswell. Mayor and Council meeting of Monday, August 10th, twenty twenty-six. I am Mayor Mary Robishow, and I'd like to introduce my colleagues and council members present. Mayor Pro Tams and Councilmember Sarah Beeson. Councilmember Alan Souse. Councilmember Christine Hall. Councilmember Aaron Brumley. And Councilmember Christopher Zack. Councilmember Jennifer Phillip is on an is an excused absence. I will now turn it over to City Administrator Randy Knighton to explain how the meeting is run. Mr. Knight. Thank you, Mayor Roboshow, and uh welcome again to everyone here this evening. In accordance with section chapter three point seven zero of the city code, the city council shall hold regular public meetings, and the purpose of these city council meetings are for the public to participate and speak on agenda items which constitute formal decisions by the elected body. If you wish to speak on an agenda item, we do ask that you uh please complete a comment card, which can be found at the back of the room. Zitter is back there with comment cards, to ensure an accurate uh record of the meeting. And speakers will be called in the order in which the comment cards are received. And for those in the viewing audience and those present, we always direct you to Roswell365.com for a calendar of events, and we certainly welcome any questions uh or information needs uh to our staff. Uh thank you again for being here. We look forward to a very successful meeting this evening. Mayor Roboshow. Thank you, Mr. Knight. We would now like to welcome worship ministry leader Mark Vedito with Congregation Beth Hallio to deliver the invocation and also to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance after, please. Mayor Robo Show, Council members, staff, ladies and gentlemen. It's an honor to serve you tonight in this way to encourage you and to lift you up in prayer as you bring forth ideas and make decisions that serve and guide the people of Roswell. In a previous invocation, my wife Dara read from Micah 6 8. I'll read now. He has told you, humanity, what is good and what the Lord is seeking from you, only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. The Hebrew word for humility is anava and can be interpreted in this way to fulfill your place in God's story. May your decisions tonight move you toward that peace and place of humble service. After a moment of silent meditation on this word, I will lift you up in prayer. You say that if any lack wisdom, we have only to ask of you. Lord, tonight we ask for your wisdom and your will. We meet here as your servants, your hands and your feet to the people of Roswell. We make our lives a prayer to you so that Roswell may be a city set on a hill, a light and a beacon of holiness and hope. May we and the decisions made here honor the giver of life and show love to those under our care. Bend our hearts to you and our will to yours and bless this city, its leaders, and your people in the name above all names. 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 with liberty, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Next is the consent agenda. City Clerk Long, are there any speakers for the consent agenda? Yes, Mayor, we have two speakers. The first is Janet Russell. Good evening. My name is Janet Russell. I live in Roswell, Georgia.
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