From: Teri Anulewicz <tanulewicz@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 13, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Subject: Ward 3 Update | Fall 2013
To: Teri Anulewicz <tanulewicz@smyrnaga.gov>
Hi there,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer. There are enough hammers swinging in Ward 3 to indicate that the economy is strengthening, and I hope that you are all looking forward to a beautiful fall. One of the most notable things I've seen lately is the filling in of blank spaces in the Market Village. Most notably, the sale of the vacant building across from City Hall (where Young Chef's Academy and the frame shop were located) means that there is a new owner who has proven to be vigorous in his efforts to lease the vacant space. The entire top floor of the building will be filled by the new owner's equity management firm. The firm employs more than 40 full-time employees with an average salary of more than $60,000. I think that a combination of retail and professional services is a good mix to ensure the economic vitality of the Market Village. A new bridal shop recently opened in the Village, as well as an architecture firm. I think they are wonderful new additions to Smyrna and I encourage you to check them out or wave hello through the window the next time you are in the Market Village. There is also activity happening in the buildings adjacent to the Market Village - I am told that a new restaurant is coming soon to the spaces near Shan's Rib Shack.
Below is more information relevant to us here in Ward 3, and throughout Smyrna:
City of Smyrna residents will soon receive their property tax bills (the Council recently voted that the City's millage rate will remain at 8.99 mils, which is what the rate has been for more than 20 years). If you have questions about how, exactly, your tax dollars and other sources of City revenue, like fees and fines, are spent, you might like the Budget in Brief document that was prepared by the City's finance department. The Budget in Brief document features clear, concise explanations that will let you know where the money comes from, and where it goes.
Jonquil Update / Why Multifamily?
You have probably noticed the yellow rezoning notices in front of the Jonquil Village property (which is still owned by the Maxwell family, based in Florida). Branch Properties, who developed and own the West Village at Atlanta Road and I-285, holds the contract on this property and has submitted their most recent plans for the property. These proposed plans are available for viewing at the Community Development offices in Brawner Hall. There are two very important upcoming dates with regard to Jonquil Village:
- Monday, October 14, 2013 - the proposed plans will be discussed and voted on, and the public may comment on these plans, at the monthly meeting of the City of Smyrna Planning & Zoning Board. If you have anything you would like to say about these plans, I strongly encourage you to attend this meeting.
- Monday, November 4, 2013 - the plans, including any changes that happen as a result of the P&Z process, will be voted on by the City Council.
Furthermore, I have come to increasingly believe that quality, Class A and beyond, multifamily housing options are absolutely critical to Smyrna's continued growth and vitality. In order to attract young professionals, who we hope will eventually put down roots, establish their households, and raise their families in Smyrna, we absolutely offer high-quality multifamily living.
As noted earlier, Branch Properties developed the mixed use development at the West Village at Atlanta Road and I-285. Those leased units have maintained an occupancy rate of greater than 95% since opening. There are fewer than three children living there - the occupants are young professionals who are single or who are just entering married life. Right now in Smyrna, there is not a single Class A multifamily property, and this is absolutely to our detriment. What's more, in order to provide a customer base for the shops and restaurants that we all crave, multifamily (the target residents of this project will make between $60K-$90K annually) is essential, both for the developers and for the banks who are financing these projects, as well as to potential businesses.
People are setting up households at a slower pace and in very different ways than previous generations, including Boomers and GenX. I believe that in a city, especially an inner-ring suberb like Smyrna, mixed-use and multifamily an essential element in our housing mix. Homeownership is much less of a priority for current and upcoming generations, for several key reasons:
- Newer generations highly value and prize their mobility. They want to explore opportunities without the encumbrance of homeownership.
- Newer generations have greater amounts of student loan debt that can preclude them from homeownership.
- Newer generations saw the housing market eviscerate their parents' savings and have no desire to repeat that experience.
- Newer generations have very different expectations than previous generations with regards to housing. They are less interested in yard space and more interested in having to spend as little time as possible in their cars. Remember, these are generations that spent a significant chunk of their childhood in the back of the family minivans, and most are reluctant to relive that experience.
For more food for thought, I encourage you to check out some recent data on housing and homeownership trends that I have found to be very interesting:
Of note:
Nationwide, demand for walkable, urban living is on the rise—in a way that it wasn't in past decades, when high urban crime rates kept professionals in the suburbs. Leinberger believes demand will continue to rise as millennials and Gen-Yers focus on paying off student loans rather buying cars and houses, and baby boomers downsize to apartments.
I hope this is helpful - please let me know if you have any more questions. Please note that I do not think that multi-famiy housing is any kind of a panacea for Smyrna. It has to be the right project, and the right quality level, and the right location. For more than five years, we have been confident that Jonquil is a good location for that housing element.
I hope this is helpful - please let me know if you have any more questions. Please note that I do not think that multi-famiy housing is any kind of a panacea for Smyrna. It has to be the right project, and the right quality level, and the right location. For more than five years, we have been confident that Jonquil is a good location for that housing element.
Event Calendar
If it seems like there's always something happening in Smyrna, it's because there is always something happening here! Be sure to check the City's Calendar of Events and Facebook page for all the latest news and events.
Upcoming Meeting Agendas / Live Streaming and Archived/On-Demand Video
You might know that you can watch City Council meetings live on Charter channel 19. Until recently, those of us who don't have cable, who use satellite service, or aren't in front of the television at 7:30 PM on meeting nights didn't have many options for watching the meeting. Now, though, anyone can watch our meetings anywhere in the world live or on-demand, on the computer or through a mobile device. Information and links to the video streams are here. Additionally, agendas and information for upcoming council meeting can be found here. Agendas are generally available the Friday prior to Council meetings.
Citizen of the Year
Nominations are open for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Smyrna Area Council's Citizen of the Year. Past winners include Williams Park residents Ron Davis (2007) and Liz Davis (2011). Please consider nominating anyone you know who is making outstanding contributions to the Smyrna community. You can find the nomination form here.
Facebook
I post regular Ward 3 and City of Smyrna updates and information nuggets at my Ward 3 Facebook page. This is a public page and you should be able to see all posts even if you don't have a Facebook account. Of course, you are always encouraged to call me (404-931-8374) or send me an email if you have questions, comments, suggestions, or anything else you would like to discuss.
Teri Anulewicz
