5: Task Force Timeline

The official Task Force was started in 2018. However, the citizens’ initiative that started the “process” dates to December 2015. The first meeting of the official city-authorized Task Force, a “social”, was in May 2018; and, the last meeting, with a vote was in December 2018. It resulted in a report that was presented to the Council in their annual retreat held January 22, 2019 and was acknowledged as a city-approved priority on February 5, 2019.

December 2015 – June 2017 – Affordable Housing Citizens’ Initiative

13 residents, (some of whom were referred by the Mayor) studied concepts of workforce housing and solutions adopted by other cities to address the need for affordable housing while increasing home ownership.
This group checked in with the Mayor periodically to report progress; and presented their findings to the council members and Mayor and asked the city to form an official “City sanctioned” Task Force to dig deeper and find solutions that would work in Sandy Springs.

March 2018 – North End Revitalization Task Force Formed by City Council Resolution

Between June 2017 and March 2018, the “process” was delayed due to upcoming November election of a new council which would contain at least two new member who would not take office until January 2018.
The council met in January 2018 and discussed adopting the North End revitalization as a city priority.

July 11, 2018 – First Task Force Meeting

Concerns expressed by several Task Force members about lack of diversity, and lack of representation of major stake holders i.e. apartment residents, business, and school system, while having a concentration of Professional Real Estate Professionals.
Three (3) affordable/workforce housing advocates on Task Force
Mayor stated Task Force was not to gentrify the area and the focus of Task Force was to “improve retail” on the North End as a panacea for revitalizing the North End.

Task Force met on subsequent dates:

August 8, 2018
August 22, 2018
October 3, 2018
October 18, 2018
November 1, 2018
November 15, 2018
December 5, 2018

Task Force Process:

Task Force members were divided into “working groups” focused on various topics. First working group was named “Housing and Affordability”.
No outside experts could be brought in to inform working groups.
Concept of “Addition without Subtraction” was omitted from conversations and argued against when mentioned by advocates.
Housing and Affordability Working Group focused on Next Ten Plan (City’s 10-year comprehensive plan) approved by city council in 2017, and previously designed by a “separate committee” .
Many of Task Force members, including the Chair, Council member Steve Soteres, were a part of Next Ten planning. Task force members indicated that industry experts were consulted in those “separate committee” meetings.
Public Comments from July 25th meeting regarding more affordable housing were interpreted by many Task Force members to mean affordable home ownership, no discussion regarding affordable rental.

July 25, 2018 – First Public Meeting – “Public Visioning” Meeting Report

270 attendees
Instruction given throughout public meeting– “How can we add what we need without taking away what is here i.e. ” Addition without Subtraction?”
No public comment and questions were allowed.
Report from Public Meeting available online at City Website
Concerns expressed by several attendees about the Task Force’s lack of diversity and concentration of Professional Real Estate Professionals, these concerns were communicated to Mayor; no additional to Task Force members were added.

October 18, 2018 – Second Public Meeting for Public Feedback

161 attendees
“14 Big Ideas” presented
No public discussion allowed – input was requested through “color dot” placments
Concerns continued to be expressed by attendees about lack of representation from major stake holders and minority representatives.

November 1, 2018 – Task Force Meeting

“14 Big Ideas” were narrowed to 6 Initiatives with minimal discussion.
Six (6) Initiatives were assigned to working groups (see Task Force Process above) to “flush out” details.
Workforce Housing advocates were marginally successful in getting some of their concerns into the final report.

December 5, 2018 – Task Force Meeting

Task Force members were divided into “working groups” focused on various topics. First working group was named “Housing and Affordability”.
No outside experts could be brought in to inform working groups.
Concept of “Addition without Subtraction” was omitted from conversations and argued against when mentioned by advocates.
Housing and Affordability Working Group focused on Next Ten Plan (City’s 10 year comprehensive plan) approved by city council in 2017, and previously designed by a “separate committee” .
Many of Task Force members, including the Chair, Council member Steve Soteres, were a part of Next Ten planning. Task force members indicated that industry experts were consulted in those “separate committee” meetings.
Public Comments from July 25th meeting regarding more affordable housing were interpreted by many Task Force members to mean affordable home ownership, no discussion regarding affordable rental.
Final vote was taken: Advocates disagreed with Initiative 1 and therefore and voted ‘No’ on the entire plan due to the disruption, displacement and taxpayer cost.
Advocates object to:
1. Lack of anti-displacement policies and plans in the report
2. Simultaneous implementation of “catalyst project” in plan and lack of impact study.
3. Taxpayer investment for “for profit developers”
Task Force Approves plan without advocate support

January 2019

A group of citizens met to look at the options going forth to educate the community about the North End Revitalization Plan. The Leadership Council was created for community guidance.

February 2019

The formation of Sandy Springs Together was announced along with plans for a web site and Facebook page in the March/April timeframe. SST holds a public community meeting with 100+ in attendance; This was the first public meeting held on the Task Force recommendations.
The city has held no public meeting on the Task Force report!
City finalizes the Park & Recreation Master Plan that includes a community center, master trail system, and access to the river as goals.

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