City agrees to allow 303 apartments, restaurant

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The Marietta City Council recently agreed to allow rezoning for 303 apartments, a restaurant and another commercial building at the southwest corner of Cobb Parkway South and Windy Hill Road.

South City Partners Acquisitions will be the developer of these 7.73 acres at 2086 Cobb Parkway South from Community Retail Commercial (CRC) to Planned Residential Development Multi Family and CRC.

Applicant attorney Garvis Sams said the apartments will be 30% two-beds, 70% one-bed and “highly amenitized” with a swimming pool, a fitness center and deceleration lanes.

With 48 units per acre, the apartments will be designed to appeal to young professionals and singles, Sams added.

South City Vice President of Development Will Casady told the City Council that a one-bedroom apartment would rent for $1,250 per month and the monthly rental for the two-bedroom apartment would depend on the floor plan.

Casady said South City, an Atlanta-based firm formed in 2011, is involved in regional development such as City Center in Alpharetta and Revival on Main in Kennesaw.

Once this development in Marietta is complete, Casady estimated the value would be $40 million to $50 million.

Information: Southcitypartners. com, mariettaga.gov

Avondale Estates is moving toward a solution to its aging stormwater system. The first step was to hire Brown and Caldwell to assess the condition of existing stormwater infrastructure and prioritize repairs throughout the city, according to a pressrelease.

The engineers were charged with identifying key issues, proposing solutions for the city’s top five problems and helping to guide short-term and long-term investments. A video discussion about the plan, presentation, and low resolution version of the plan are available at www.avondaleestates.org/stormwatermp.

There are some big takeaways from this effort. The cause of flooding ranges from insufficient infrastructure to overburdening the system to disrepair. Fixing the stormwater system will require a multi-pronged approach.

Repairing or replacing existing infrastructure is the first step. This report provides a road map for the next several years.

Adding new infrastructure is very difficult, if not impossible in some locations. The costs, impact on the community aesthetics, lack of space, and overall disruption makes new infrastructure a less desirable solution. Also, making pipes bigger or carrying more water away from one area, it will likely impact neighboring communities. This is not the solution the city looking for, but new infrastructure may still be the right course of action in some situations.

Green Infrastructure is a natural way of managing stormwater using vegetative practices that fits with the DNA of the city community. Many Avondale residents have a green thumb and enjoy the community because of its parks, tree-lined verges, and rolling front lawns.

The $130,000 collected annually for the stormwater fees plus reserve funds are anticipated to cover the estimated cost for urgent and emergency repairs. Beyond that, the city will need to identify other sources of funds or increase fees, said City Manager Patrick Bryant.

Five steps are outlined. Residents will need to work together to manage stormwater. There are some things that you can do now that will help your property, as well as your neighbors.

■ Clean up litter, leaves, and yard waste from around drains.

■ Use less fertilizer or use biodegradable fertilizers that do not contain harmful chemicals.

■ Allow plants and trees to grow in their natural and original habitats.

■ Do not dispose of toxic products such as paint, motor oil, or cleaners by pouring them into drains.

■ Capture stormwater through rain barrels and other methods.

In the coming months, Avondale Estates will also create a new committee charged with serving as ambassadors for green infrastructure solutions and leading through example.

JUANITA LOVE FOR THE AJC

A 32-year-old woman refused to stop for officers, ran a red light and hit a speed of more than 100 mph before dying in a crash, Cobb County police said Thursday.

Princess Y. Row of Mableton was driving a 2019 Nissan Altima north on Mableton Parkway shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday when two officers witnessed her violating traffic laws, according to spokesman Sgt. Wayne Delk.

“Officers attempted a traffic stop near Carriage Drive, but the Nissan did not stop and continued westbound,” Delk said in an emailed statement.

Row accelerated to more than 100 mph and ran a red light, according to police. While officers slowed down through an intersection, Row continued and was seen improperly passing another car, Delk said.

Officers lost sight of the Nissan, which attempted to negotiate a curve west of Blair Bridge Road. At 2:58 a.m., a 911 caller reported a vehicle had run off the road into a cemetery, Delk said.

When officers found the Nissan, it was in a wooded area after crashing into trees, according to police.

“The collision was severe enough to disable the electrical system of the vehicle,” Delk said. “There were no functioning lights after the crash.”

Row died at the scene, police said. There were no passengers in the car.