Ladies voice concerns in communities

Two Atlanta ladies addressed the Atlanta City Council during its April meeting to discuss issues they have been experiencing in their respective neighborhoods.

Wonder Birmingham told the council while workers were in the process of constructing her home on Harris Street, her neighbor would park vehicles so that workers were unable to get to her property to work.

She told the council the neighbor had about seven vehicles and she continuously had problems with the person, not only blocking the workers, but also spinning their tires and burning trash at night.

She said she came before the council in hopes there was something they could do to remedy the situation.

Thelma Webster said in her neighborhood on Spruce Street, at the west end of Spruce Street, there were people living in 3-4 campers and one person in a box, along with there being a huge trashpile.

“It’s just trash, trash, trash,” Webster said.

She said at one point there was even someone dumping tires there.

Since this has been going on, Webster said she has found used condoms in her yard and has witnessed people openly using the bathroom, which she said she can smell from her house.

“This is a health hazard. Y’all need to do something or find someone who can,” she told the council.

She said she has tried putting up “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs, but it has continued.

Webster said she has even had a speaker stolen, which she reported although there have been no results.

She said she had showed pictures to the city manager and mayor, but hopes there are actions the city can take.

In action items, the council: - Approved a re-zoning request for 307 South William St., for placement of a mobile home. Beginning Sept. 1, City Manager Danika Porter said mobile home placement will no longer have to be approved by the council, although there will be certain stipulations that will have to be taken into consideration, such as deed restrictions.

- Approved a waiver for Atlanta Methodist Church so the church would not have to put in a sprinkler system in the new sanctuary addition currently underway at 701 Lindsey Lane. Rather than have the sprinkler system, which would add significant expense to the project as the water pressure in the area wouldn’t be enough, the church has planned a firewall between the existing structure and the new build. The new sanctuary will also have 10 exit doors. In addition, the church would only exceed the occupancy requirement for a sprinkler system a couple of times a year on certain occasions.

- Refused a request from David Osborne to build five new hangars at the airport. Council members said the airport board of directors were not happy about the request. Plans presented to the council included two hangars Osborne planned to build for himself and three T-hangars.

- Approved payment of $11,000 to Kevin Smith for emergency repairs involving mold removal from the basement of Atlanta Public Library, which was caused from flooding multiple times.

- Approved payment of $30, 848.24 for payment to ServPro for emergency cleanup at 609 West Allday due to city sewer backup into the property.

- Approved the consent agenda.