Imbalance and Discordance at City Hall
The picture with this blog is one of my favorites because it's a bit of a metaphor for the struggle that exists between development and nature. Inevitably, one of us is "for" the tire and feels that the tree is in the way. And inevitably, one of us is "for" the tree and feels that that tire is in the way.
Tires and just stuff in general take up space and encroach on nature. And nature has to compromise because we have stuff and we have to put it somewhere. It's just the way it is. And the best we can hope for is to strike a balance.
It was not until this year - 2012 - that I began to see imbalances in our little city with respect to development and nature. And now we have a plan for a City Center that places a government building and an enormous parking deck directly into the precious little greenspace that exists at the City Center property.
On Monday evening this imbalance took on a voice as I witnessed a fascinating City Council meeting. Council was gracious enough to move the City Center/Trees item to the top of their agenda for the evening. Unfortunately for the City, they began by delivering a somewhat embarrassing defense of the proposed tree removal plan at the new City Center. The discussion reached a low point when the landscape architect began describing the city's illustrious plans to save the crape myrtle trees. Indeed, the city cares so much for these crape myrtles, she said, that it hopes to actually transplant them, yes ....transplant trees... Crape myrtle trees. This is actually too embarrassing to even make a comment on, so I won't. Then, in an effort to explain WHY so few trees will be saved at the new City Center, the city asked one of the owners of Downey Tree Company to describe just how unhealthy the existing trees actually are. Yes......Downey Tree Company....a tree removal company. They take trees down for a living, you know. Once this embarrassing beginning to the evening finally ended, the audience was rather worked up and began blurting questions - perhaps a bit unconventional since this was not a question and answer session. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to listen to the Mayor allow some questions and disallow others. For instance, the gentleman who asked why City Hall is now situated in the park in the CC2 plan was firmly shut down. This sort of treatment by the Mayor did provoke a jeerish mood in the audience - the AJC correctly reported this.
As for the citizen comments, they were really delightful to hear: educated and well articulated; for both sides I might add. Some people might say that D.C. Aiken did a bit of clawing in response to my own comments but I don't blame D.C. for getting defensive over what I said. D.C. promised to carry on the great green city initiatives that former Mayor Letchas started. And I basically told City Council that they've undone Mayor Letchas' legacy in a very short period of time by placing a parking lot and a city hall onto the ONLY 2 greenspaces at the entire City Center property.
The final comments were from Council members of course, and to their credit, we heard promises from almost every Council member (did Kennedy speak?) to WORK toward a solution, that we will indeed BE a green city, that they HEAR what we are saying about the trees and they will CONSIDER our suggestions.
I will finish by just mentioning 2 discordant notes that I kept hearing at Monday's meeting. First, this Council seems to slip rapidly from saying one minute, "We've waited long enough for this City Center to happen!" to "We're going to take our time, indeed, take as long as it takes to get this thing right." Well, which is it?
The 2nd discordant note I hear is this: Every time you mention the changes from the first plan to the second plan this Council hastens to say, "that 1st plan was not set in stone!" And yet, when pressed to consider changing the location and scale of the parking deck in order to preserve green space, this Council consistently states, "Sorry, that was already there in the first plan. You voted on it. Now you've got it." Come on, gentlemen. You can't have it both ways.
Things really are a little unbalanced here. I can't speak for those who "trust that you are doing the right thing" as a citizen commented on one of my blogs, but on behalf of the 400 + citizens who signed the petition to "Save the Specimen Trees at City Center" - we would like you to bring the balance back.
Rob Forrest
6:43 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I have my own design I'd be happy to share
Whitney
9:32 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
How about working on that restaurant of yours first?
Julie Hogg
3:43 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
@ Whitney - I love Rob's restaurant and fact I can walk there. Rob - keep it up.
John Mathes
6:37 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I'm sure it is buried somewhere... but is there a link to the online petition that you can provide? Seems to me that we need to elevate this discussion from several hundred to several thousand. That should get council's attention.
JAH
7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Here you go, John: http://www.change.org/petitions/save-the-specimen-trees-in-alpharetta-georgia
John Mathes
11:14 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Thank you JAH. Everyone should post the link on FB and Tweet it.
No Name
12:46 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Julie, Thanks for your accurate reporting.
I still want to hear the answer to the two questions that were shut down. How many of the trees counted are on the library property? And why was City Hall moved FROM the west side of existing Haynes Bridge Rd TO inside Brooke Street Park?
I posted this on another thread earlier but in case you missed it, the Bond Ordinance that was passed on July 25, 2011 reads:
Any brochures, listings or other advertisements issued by the City of Alpharetta or by any other person, firm, corporation or association with the knowledge and consent of the City Council and Mayor of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia *shall* be deemed to be a *statement of intention* of the City of Alpharetta concerning the use of the proceeds of the bonds.
Prior to the bond vote, the mailers, the newpaper ads, and the drawings on the City's own website show City Hall west of current Haynes Bridge Road, not in the park. *Shall* is legally binding, is it not?
Academy Park Anon
1:45 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Julie, you are an idiot. I live in Academy Park and was an original owner, and I know for a fact that our developer had to remove lots of trees, and even specimen trees. They had to do recompense for that, in either financial ways or by tree replacement ratios. The tree count in Alpharetta remains the same- it has to be replaced somewhere else. I heard that if the city removed any specimen trees, they would be subject to the same rules and regs that are on the books that anyone else would be under.
How ironic and hypocritical for anyone who doesn't want a tree to be cut down; same argument that "I'm here in my home now, and no one else should move to Alpharetta- close the gates."
Academy Park Anon
(Anonymous because of the crazies that would target me- especially the hypocritical tree huggers)
Julie Hogg
12:24 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Hi Anon,
I don't think I know any crazy tree huggers. I personally have never hugged a tree. And i don't think anyone has an interest in targeting you at all.
I appreciate your comments. However, to truly have the right call someone an idiot, or any other name-calling - you have to post your name and face.
Truthseeker
9:09 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
To APA Your premise is about as off base as your immature name calling. What I and so many others are upset about is the fact that the elitist Mayor and council have dramatically changed the layout and scope of the project sold to us. Once again, politicians trying to shove down our throats whatever the heck they deem they want to do. Then they proceed to do a lot of CYA by obfuscating facts. Do you really think that that moving city hall into what was previously sold and funded as a park is not a big deal? Really??
If you think people will drive to the city center of Alpharetta to park in a cement garage and walk around yet another strip mall atmosphere you and the people currently in charge of ruining Alpharetta are sadly mistaken. The great thing about Canton street in Roswell is the old fashioned feel of the street. It's a natural feel that incorporates old houses that are now restaurants and shops. Not another sterile strip center. Look around Alpharetta, there are already enough vacant one's sitting around.
No Name
10:22 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
What distinguishes CC from Avalon? Nothing. But what if I could pick up a lunch and go sit under a big shady tree? Then I might linger afterwards to shop.
With all the parking on the street, one can pick up what is needed and leave. I do see the need for street parking, but I just don't see anything that will make me want to stay.
Independent Irene
10:33 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
This is some interesting stuff here.
Independent Irene
10:40 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
I must say, I have lived in Alpharetta for 20+ years and never once have I seen anyone sitting under a tree and reading a book or eating their lunch. So, the implied argument that saving trees in Brook St. Park is going to somehow lead to a revolution in literacy is a bit perplexing. Nonetheless, I definitely agree that the new plan for City Center is WAY out of balance and destroys any chance of achieving a charming, unique downtown.
Julie Hogg
12:27 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Hi Independent Irene - it is true that you see more reading under trees at college campuses. Oh, wait. City Council keeps referring to the City Center plan as a "campus" feel. Hmmm. Could it be we're all wistful for reading under trees?
Paula Milliard
11:58 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
The AJC article shows the CC1 plan by mistake. Boy, was that nice! It did seem to solve all the parking issues and brought the City Hall back to prominence. Oh, saved the park too.
Catherine S
8:55 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Julie, appreciate your blog posts and perspective. As a relatively new area resident, I'm trying to educate myself and get up to speed. Reading various articles about the ARC LCI plans being considered by Alpharetta and Milton, Avalon, and Alpharetta's CC plan, the one thing that never comes into focus are "strings" which may be attached to funding sought by the cities for their development projects. GDOT, USDOT, HUD monies, and other state and federal grants all have specific criteria which must be met in order for the cities to be eligible for the funds. Also wondering what sort of partnership arrangements are made with developers. Any ideas?
Julie Hogg
10:38 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Like you, I'd like to know more about partnership arrangements with developers. To find out more, visit Council meetings, or if necessary, request the information via open records request.