Crimes linked to burglary ring

The Sandy Springs Planning Commission recommended approval of changes to the city’s short-term rental regulations to limit how long a residence can be rented — up to 100 days.

The zoning regulations include rental of all or part of a dwelling unit. Another recommendation before the Planning Commission at its July 20 meeting was to include all accessory structures and land attached to the property under the regulations.

“What we’re looking to do is [allow] one rental whether it’s indoors or outdoors without the property owner being there,” Community Development Director Ginger Sottile said. “If the property owner is there, they can rent two indoor, or one indoor and one outdoor, in one 24-hour period of time.”

The text amendment would limit an individual, family or group to a short-term rental of up to 100 calendar days per year, she said.

To enforce the regulations, the city can examine business licenses filed by the property owner. Rental companies such as Airbnb keep track of the days properties are rented and have to report their income, enabling another method to check enforcement. The city does contract with a company to keep track of rental days also, she said.

“The only other way really is, I would say, complaint driven,” Sottile said. “So if you notice that your neighbor is having multiple parties at the pool a day, then you would then call and have code enforcement do an investigation. And we would try to address it that way.”

Cities reject Fulton County’s sales tax share hike

A request by the Board of Commissioners for Fulton County to increase its share of the one penny Local Option Sales Tax by 600% was rejected by the 15 cities that share in the distribution of the revenue.

Agreeing to Fulton County’s request to increase its share from 4.9% to 35% would have a significant impact on Sandy Springs if it was accepted, city spokesperson Dan Coffer said.

Approximately one-fourth of the General Fund for Sandy Springs comes from the LOST tax distribution, Coffer said. In 2020, the city’s LOST revenue was $25.3 million.

Residents against changes to stormwater rules

Proposals to loosen stormwater management restrictions, which are designed to control runoff and improve water quality, were panned by the Sandy Springs Planning Commission, which voted to recommend denial of the changes for the Nancy Creek area.

Local residents and the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods spoke out against the changes, which were also questioned by the planning commissioners.

Staff’s presentation said the reason for the suggested changes was to ease requirements citywide for runoff reduction for small projects. It also was intended to establish requirements for parts of the city designated as a sensitive area.

“The change to the stormwater code, which the city is considering, adds to an already dreadful situation,” said Holly Mitchell of Carolwood Lane, which she said is on Nancy Creek.

The creek has grown from approximately 8 or 10 feet wide to over 20 feet in some spots, she said, eating away at their land and creating unsafe conditions.

“It’s now not a creek, it’s more like a river. And when there are storms, it’s a rushing river,” Mitchell said.

City Council is expected to consider the proposal at its next meeting.

Crimes linked to metro burglary ring

Sandy Springs Police made multiple arrests in July in burglary and home invasion cases that have been connected to what metro police agencies allege are part of a gangrelated burglary ring across the region.

Three suspects were arrested near a Lockton Place home, which had a previous break-in attempt. Handguns were found near the townhome, Sandy Springs Police said.

This incident was linked to another burglary in which a resident was shot during a forced entry.

Police allege a criminal organization known as “Drug Rich” or “RX” was responsible for these and multiple other incidents in Atlanta, as well as Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

— BRIEFS BY BOB PEPALIS

Time for Jewelry

with a story

We BUY & SELL Estate Jewelry

2090 Dunwoody Club Dr. Ste 107 Sandy Springs, GA 30350