I hope this message finds you in the best of health and spirits. As we continue to work our way through the “air conditioning months” of Summer of 2023, the huge press of activity we’re currently feeling has me well occupied, so allow me to
share some random thoughts in this letter.
As I was driving home from today’s work session and getting close to home, I ran into a neighbor who had a recent medical scare. I pulled over to see how she was doing, and she gave me a quick update on her health. I commented on how healthy she looked (modern medicine can do wonders). As she turned to go, she paused and said, “And Tom, please do me a favor – please tell Greg and his team how much I appreciate the good care they took of me, and how kind they were.” As I drove off, I thought about how a couple of weeks ago, I had received a couple of texts in quick succession, one letting me know of a medical event, and a few minutes later, one from the son of the person who was being transported to the hospital, giving thanks for the amazingly quick and professional response our Fire Department and the ambulance team had made in their family’s emergency. Seeing that patient up and around and looking good (and knowing that the team we have put together at the city had a hand in that outcome) was just so incredibly gratifying. We have worked hard to build that team, and to equip them to succeed, and the fact is it just works.
While I know that perfection doesn’t exist in the human world, I would put our city staff and leadership up against those of any city our size (or five times our size; I’ve been in those towns). I know how good our folks are. In this particular instance, I am (once again) calling out Fire Chief Greg Brett and his crew: the raves calling out their responsiveness, proficiency, and professionalism are constant. Of course, when you’re literally in the position of saving lives, people tend to be focused on their gratefulness.
In fact, in the last month, examples of “above and beyond” professionalism can be seen in every corner of our city. Darold Wendlandt and his Public Works team have cleaned up after storms, kept the rights of way and gravel roads nicer than any around us, helped the Fulton County Sewer workers and the Greystone tree trimming folks focus on cleaning up after themselves, and literally walked and rode every inch of our roads to maximize the impact of the roadwork we’re about to start.
Chief Digou is digging into his new role with a level of responsiveness and availability that makes his placement
in that role feel really smart. City Manager Rockovitz has been juggling TSPLOST and trash RFPs, helping our new Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) find its sea legs, and trying to recover from the super-late arrival of the summary tax digest from the Assessor’s Office so that we can get our Ad Velorem filing in on time, always with a smile on his face. Mike and Caity in Planning have been absolutely buried in applications, but I’ve never seen even a hint of anything other than thoughtful helpfulness displayed toward anyone who needs an answer or some help on a permit.
And as always, our volunteer groups: from the super-busy Planning Commission, the Parks Commission, and the new (but already busy) CVB, they all are hard at work making their way through the stacks of applications and projects that seem to be rolling in non-stop. Perhaps some of you get tired of me saying it, but I’m so proud of and grateful for the crew we have at the City. A huge thanks to all of you!
And in more news, we will soon have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the work on the new pavilion and bathrooms at Campbellton Park, which will make that facility so much more usable! Thanks to the Trust for Public Lands and our Riverlands Project team for all of their work in bringing this together; please look for the announcement of the time and date soon!
As I mentioned above, we’re about to let the contracts for the paving work this fall. As you may have heard in recent Council meetings, we’ve spent the past couple of years doing restoration work and saving pennies for a larger resurfacing project, and now it’s about to start! Be on the lookout for a final list of the roads we’ll be topping (the exact details will be finalized as soon as materials costs can be nailed down, but it’ll be by far the most lane-miles we’ve ever done).
We’ll also be having a presentation from Greystone at Tuesday’s Council Meeting, with an update on the construction and rollout schedule for the “high-speed internet to every house in Chatt Hills’” program. I’m not going to steal anyone’s thunder, but it’s good news!
I mentioned “air-conditioning weather” above as kind of a lark, but on a serious note, this hot weather can be very dangerous. I recognize that not everyone has reliable A/C, or even A/C at all, so please keep an eye out for your neighbors—especially the older folks—to be sure they are hydrated and healthy. Be careful when you’re working out in the heat, wear a hat, and drink plenty of water; you know the drill. And if you need help getting someone taken care of—or if you need help—let us know!
Until next month, stay cool, stay healthy, and stay safe!
Mayor Tom Reed
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Kevin Digou, our newly appointed Chattahoochee Hills Police Chief effective June 29, 2023.
Kevin, now Chief Digou, has been serving the city since April of 2016. During his tenure, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has been promoted up through the ranks to Lieutenant - Uniform Division Commander.
Chief Digou has more than twenty years of total law enforcement experience, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, excellent written and oral communication skills, and an intimate knowledge of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, its citizens, and governing body. One of his most significant accomplishments to date was serving as our accreditation manager who facilitated the process of earning our State of Georgia accreditation through the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program under the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
While many residents have met Kevin Digou over the past eight years, many have not had the opportunity to get to know him. I asked the Chief to share a little about his background and goals for his department. He said, “The first question residents most often ask is how to pronounce my last name. It’s pronounced like Mr. Magoo, the cartoon character, only with a “D.” He also said it is okay to call him Kevin when chatting with him informally.
Kevin was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Alaska. After finishing high school, he served a tour in the U.S. Airforce as a munitions apprentice, and then returned home to Alaska. He always had an interest in law enforcement, inspired by his father who had served in the military police, so Kevin set a goal to continue his education and eventually work for a police department.
He initially worked for the airlines, hoping to help finance his education while searching for an opening in law enforcement. Then shortly after 9/11, Kevin joined the Savannah police department and started taking college courses for a criminal justice degree.
When asked if there was anything in particular that shaped his career, Kevin recalled several pivotal moments and people that influenced his future:
“When I was a rookie, I was sitting in the squad room during my lunch break doing homework for my Criminal Justice class. My Lieutenant, Harold Ragan, came in and asked me what I was working on. When I told him, I will never forget his response. He looked at me and asked, “What do you plan on doing with your career?” I replied immediately, “I want to be a Chief one day.” Without missing a beat, he said, “Ditch the criminal justice classes then. CJ degrees are a dime a dozen in this field, and if you want to be a Chief then you need a business or public administration degree.” So, the next day I withdrew from my criminal justice studies and switched to Business Administration.
Fast forward a few years later and my next chief, Creighton Roberts, took me under his wing and tried to show me that being a Chief is just as much about being a leader as being a follower. He taught me about servant leadership, and
about leading by example. He turned me onto the ‘One-minute Manager’ series and how being a good leader doesn’t mean you placate others by just giving them what they want, but by being firm but fair.
At Thunderbolt, I learned from Chief Jessie Irene Pennington to handle the hardest moments with grace and dignity, to never compromise your standards, and to face each problem head on, and unapologetic, even if the outcome is not what you hoped for. As long as you stayed true to your beliefs and standards and did what was best for the department and city, then you have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Goals for Chatt Hills P.D.
Kevin is appreciative of the hard work done by his predecessor, Chief Jim Little, himself, and the Chatt Hills Police Department to accomplish the state accreditation. With those policies and procedures now in place, one of his next goals will be to focus on Community Policing.
“Community Policing is about developing relationships with community members to help strengthen public safety and awareness,” Kevin said. Some of the initiatives he will be working on include:
1. Assigning officers as liaisons to each council district
2. Offering a women’s self-defense class
3. Offering a policy academy
4. Hosting a local National Night Out – a communitypolice awareness-raising event in the United States, held the first Tuesday of August., Kevin is
also appreciative about the opportunity he received for the promotion. With that in mind, he will continue the department’s efforts to provide training and opportunities for professional development to its staff.
In closing, Kevin was asked to share three personal things folks might not know about him. He said, “One: I love to cook. Where bicycling was Chief Little’s thing, cooking is my thing. Two: growing up in Alaska, I love the outdoors, especially kayaking. Three: I love cold weather. When it snows, I’m a happy camper.”
Thanks to former Chief Jim Little, current Chief Kevin Digou, and the entire Chattahoochee Hills Police Department for earning the Georgia State Accreditation.
The mission of Chattahoochee Hills Charter School is to inspire scholars to the highest levels of academic achievement through a rigorous curriculum that integrates the wonders of the natural world. Our Goal is for our students to cultivate the capacity to achieve a meaningful, healthy, flourishing life that embodies responsibility, stewardship, experiential engagement with the arts, agriculture, and the environment in informed, imaginative, and rigorous ways.
The CHCS scholar experience is unlike any other in
Fulton County Schools. A CHCS education is grounded in the coalescence of a scholar’s individual curiosity, innovative and rigorous instructional practices, and the natural world itself. Nestled in wooded, farm-like surroundings, CHCS inspires a love of nature and a deep civic commitment to protect the environment. The school uses an integrated STEAM framework to facilitate the application of learning and prepare scholars for the increasingly complex and competitive professional world; wherein ecologically literate, critical thinkers will be in high demand. This CHCS program is important for the region, the state, and beyond. https://chatthillscharter.org
First Day of School is August 28
The mission at the Acton Academy at Serenbe is to inspire each child who enters our doors to find a calling that will change the world. We foster a true learner-driven community, guiding children to have a love of learning. Alongside a focus on character development, accountability, and goal setting, we have invested in a learning playground, with our new campus opening this Fall 2023. Located in Serenbe, our goal is to become a flagship Acton and lay the foundation for how a school design, environment, and pedagogy can support our overall mission.
Acton at Serenbe is on track to be one of the largest Acton Academies in the world, with a new state of the art
campus under construction in the Mado Hamlet of Serenbe. The second of four campus buildings will open Fall 2023, which will be a world class example with environmental sustainability at its core. This will be accomplished as the campus pursues energy independence, closed-loop water systems, and biophilic design that maximizes access to nature.
Brett Hardin, head of the school, describes one of his favorite design elements in the new Acton campus: “The Serenbe community’s ethos of welcome and wellness is infused into every aspect of our school, making cutting-edge resources and design accessible to children. The walls of each of our new learning studios open fully, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor experiences.”
https://actonacademyatserenbe.com
Announcing the 48th addition to the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail featuring a Horse of Different Colors barn quilt, located at Broken-Horn Farm, 12928 Hutcheson Ferry Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30213.
Picture Perfect Broken-Horn Farm
Mike and Carla Harris live idyllic country lives in Chattahoochee Hills. They built their home in 2001 on the property where Carla grew up, and where her family still lives next door. Their lovely home is framed by an iconic horse fence, which keeps their horses from wandering too far afield while grazing, and they are only a few country miles from their church and friends.
When selecting a pattern for their barn quilt, they requested a brightly colored horse so "Folks would have something pretty to look at as they drove by." Their "Horse of Different Colors" barn quilt displayed on their fence certainly adds a touch of bling to their picture-perfect Broken-Horn Farm.
The Love for Horses and Their Rural Community
Mike & Carla met 35 years ago while she was working for her father in nearby Union City. Mike lived in Union City as well, and a friend introduced them. Not too long after that, Carla learned about Mike's love for horses.
Mike has had horses most all of his life. He started riding as a young boy and got his first horse by the time he turned 8 years old. At one time, he raised and kept four horses; these days he keeps two, a mare named Itch and a gelding named Roscoe.
In their earlier years of marriage, Mike & Carla rode horses together quite often. Mike, who was more experienced, recalls one or two times when a horse would "lay down" while he was riding. Once while they were on a group ride, and the guide neglected to tell them about a large rock in the stream they were crossing. The guide navigated around the rock. Mike didn't see it in time and his horse slipped and went down. Another time, one of his horses would lay down in a stream they were crossing whenever he wanted to cool off. Carla, who was not as experienced as Mike, loved riding too but gave it up after a while because she'd come off the horse one too many times.
Today, Mike makes time for riding almost every week, in between working remodeling jobs during his semi-retirement. Carla is still working full-time in the healthcare field, and the couple stays active together attending Sardis Baptist Church.
When asked what they love best about living in Chatt Hills, they say it's like living in another world. When they drive to their home from nearby Palmetto and then pass Sardis Church three miles before their home, nothing has changed much since Carla grew up here as a kid. The houses are few and far between, there are a few farms, and there is a sense of peace and tranquility. In the hopes that Chatt Hills remains the same for generations to come, the couple proudly displays a small sign in their yard that says, "Keep it Rural."
For more photos and the hosts’ heritage story, visit: https:// www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/broken-horn-farm.html
For a map of the 48 barn quilts on the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail, visit:
https://www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/tour-the-trail.html
Welcome to Dental Wellness at Serenbe
We Provide Comprehensive Dental Care For Your Whole Family!
Comprehensive Dental Care
Dental Wellness at Serenbe offers the benefit of over two decades of experience and knowledge in the dentistry profession. Our practice seeks to provide comprehensive dental care to meet the needs of every member of your family. Through continuing education and innovative technology, we provide informed decisions and quality service. Click below to learn more about how we can help you with your oral health needs.
Our dentists have a 99.9% patient satisfaction rating. Why? Because we truly care about our patients' comfort and happiness. We seek to maintain an environment that is friendly, helpful, and considerate of our patients' needs. By creating a welcoming environment, we hope to make our patients feel at ease when they visit, dispelling any anxiety they may have. Click below to read what our patients have to say about our service.
We welcome new patients! To get more information or to schedule an appointment or consultation, call us at 678.800.0910. We will be glad to assist you with any dental questions you may have.
Beatogether with Friends, a Beatles tribute band, “was created out of a love for the music that changed the world in so many ways,” says George Stamm, producer and member of this celebratory project. For decades George has produced and performed as John Lennon in many Beatles tribute bands. However, this project seems almost fairytale-like to the lifelong Beatles fan.
The story of this musical venture forms a parallel to how the Beatles came together over 60 years ago. First there was John Lennon, who asked Paul McCartney to join the band; similarly, George asked his partner, Don McBroom, an outstanding keyboard and bass guitar player, to join him on his journey a few years back. Then George met Casey Hooper, a stellar lead guitarist who knows every George Harrison guitar lick there is, and asked him to join, just as the original duo added Harrison. Then finally, just as Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was regarded as the best drummer around, so too Bryan Holmes, a longtime friend and an amazing drummer who has been a recording artist and performer for decades, was invited to join the tribute project. Having formed the band, it was time to play.
“Our first rehearsal session together was a dream come true, with little to no effort. We went through several songs from start to finish as if we’ve been together for years. The chemistry was like magic. I felt that I finally found my Beatles musical soulmates,” George related.
According to George, “I decided to name the project (not so much the band) ‘Beatogether with Friends’ to highlight how this music brings people ‘together’ both on stage, as bandmates, but also off stage as well, i.e., ‘Friends’ of the Beatles in the audiences, because virtually everyone loves the music of the Beatles.”
He continued, “We, as ‘Beatogether with Friends’ not only perform the Beatles greatest hits, we also perform songs the Beatles wrote and gave to their friends, that is, other musicians they knew well back then, bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Peter and Gordon, The Byrds, The Hollies, to name a few,” said George, pulling from his immense store of Beatles knowledge, adding, “For example, Lennon and McCartney are credited with writing the song, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man,’ and gave it to the Rolling Stones who, in turn, got a recording contract with
that song. Peter and Gordon recorded ‘A World Without Love’ written by Lennon-McCartney as well. This is what friends do to help each other.”
And why the Beatles? “A guy I invited to join me a few years ago but couldn’t then, Mike Pacelli, a real Beatles aficionado, stated on YouTube a few years back, ‘Every post-1969 rock song is a son of Beatles songs.’ And Mike is right,” related George. “Virtually all serious musicians and recording artists readily admit, the Beatles were a great influence, so it’s no surprise the Beatles gave birth to ‘Beatogether with Friends’.”
George notes that the show includes many backstories between the songs, declaring, “I call it ‘Infotainment.” And even though some of these stories can be heard on Sirius XM on Channel 18, the Beatles Channel, George wants the experience to be different, stating “I did not want this project to be just another Beatles tribute band trying to look and act like the Beatles on stage, although I still love those hairdos back then. Rather, I want the story to come through foremost, with rare period-piece film clips and videos to take the audience back in time to an era when songs were simple, sweet, and heartfelt. In this way, we as ‘Beatogether with Friends’ honor the Beatles and their ‘Friends’ by faithfully replicating their sounds and the feel live on stage.”
George looks forward to what’s in store for “Beatogether with Friends,” sharing, “We plan to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America in 2024.”
Wed., Aug. 2 & Thurs, Aug., 3, 9-10am-Nov. 16
Begins Serenbe Farms 8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd ChattHills, GA 30268 Tickets $500: https://www.shorturl. cool/8e8c1
Ages 3-6 Wednesdays, Ages 7-12 Thursdays
Driving/parking - parents can drop their kids off at the farm at or just before 3:30 on the scheduled day. Tickets are non-refundable. Contact education@serenbefarms.com
Farmer Tristan will teach students gardening skills, including garden planning and prep, seeding, transplanting, compost making, wildlife identification and observation. These all will be accompanied by lessons in science and math while also inviting the students to engage in some creative activities such as building, crafting, story telling etc. The main objective of these meetings will be discussing growing food from seed to harvest.
Parents are welcome to join their kids in these activities. Expect your students to get dirty from time to time. All efforts are made to keep clean, but seeding, bed prep, and putting plants in the ground can sometimes get messy. Wear clothes that can get dirty.
Each garden club member will be provided with their very own garden gloves and tools. This teaching process requires the use of materials that will be covered by the cost of attending these programs, i.e., tools, seeds, soils, basic soil science items, books, compost, fertilizers. All of these items will be utilized to teach the students to grow food from seed to harvest.
9135 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA
Join the Wine Shop at Serenbe on the 3rd Thursday of each month for a professionally-guided wine education class with Sommelier Camille Balboa. Each class will be an in-depth exploration of fine wines throughout the world. We'll taste 5 premium wines that will be paired with a custom-made charcuterie board. Each month will have a new focus. Limited availability. Tickets $100. https://bit. ly/3BeIksx
Saturdays, 4:00pm
10642 Serenbe Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
Cochran Mill Brews are now at the General Store. Join Nadine to taste wines from around the globe every Saturday; $35/person with tasting notes and small bites. Please email nadine@generalstoreatserenbe.com with any questions.
All Saturdays at 2:30 pm
Serenbe Farms Tour
8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Tickets $15 (Children under 3 free) https://bit.ly/3YI1Tnb
Learn how Serenbe Farms uses sustainable practices to grow and harvest more than 300 varieties of heirloom and hybrid vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Contact ian@ serenbefarms.com for more information.
Access parking through the main Serenbe Farms entrance at 8715 Atlanta-Newnan Road, or park on Serenbe Lane in Grange to come through the neighborhood entrance.
Basic color theory, color-mixing, understanding the medium and materials, including awareness of safely limiting exposure to toxicity, painting terminology, the importance of value & composition, “Seeing vs Thinking,” a bit of art history. Four 3-hour sessions, prepaid $260 ($65 per class). All painting materials are provided. Just show up for class in clothes you don’t care so much about.
Textbooks for the class are “Daily Painting” by Carol Marine, and “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards. $40 for both. As a matter of convenience, they are available for purchase at Paint Space.
Class Fee + Books: $300 due at first class. Payments by check or Zelle are preferred. For info: 310902-5358. For more information visit: www.paintspace.org
Tues. Aug. 1 until Sept. 19, 3:30 to 4:30
https://www.shorturl.cool/333b4
Wed. Aug. 2 until Sept. 20, 3:30 to 4:30
https://www.shorturl.cool/ed807
Children's Art Classes with BJ Glick in Paint Space, 10625 Serenbe Lane, Ste. A, Serenbe
All eight classes of creative wonder are just $280, including materials. Classes are limited to just 10 imaginative minds, so make sure to snatch your spot as quick as a brushstroke!
Picture this: your kids giggling with excitement as they dip their paintbrushes into vibrant hues, exploring their imagination without any limits. Our art classes are not just classes, they're grand adventures of self-expression and discovery!
Aug. 5, 9:00am-1:00pm
Tournament of Tomatoes at Serenbe Farmers Market
Serenbe Farmers Market, 9110 Selborne Lane, Serenbe
It’s a Tomato Cook-Off! Live Music + Specialty Foods/ Cocktails. Enter HERE: https://www.shorturl.cool/4de03, then bring your best tomato creation to be voted on by a select panel of judges, and your friends and neighbors. Judging begins at 10:30am, prizes awarded at noon!
Aug. 4th, 6-9pm
Scott Areman, Chatt Hills Artist Co-op
Member, Exhibit Opens at David Boyd Gallery
14 E Washington St. Newnan, GA 30263
A new gallery show of photographs by Scott Areman will open at the Boyd Gallery in Newnan, Georgia on Friday August 4th, 2023. Entitled “Brief Encounters,” this exhibit is a retrospective of his street photography from the 1980s to the present.
“Street photography for me has always been about connecting. To other people. To myself. To the beauty in the places I photograph. It’s an adventure that’s unplanned, in search of the found photograph. I love exploring, making connections and making pictures of it. I strive to create art that has a heart and shares the humanity and brief intimacies of street photography.”
Scott worked for photographers such as Annie Leibovitz and Joyce Ravid, on the path to establishing his own career. He shoots lifestyle and portrait assignments for clients such as UPS, Microsoft, AT&T, and Home Depot, to name a few.
Aug 5 | 7:30pm
PRIVATE HOME | PUBLIC CONCERT IN SERENBE
837 Middleton Way
Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
Tickets $25: https://rb.gy/frh7h
Heralded by Rolling Stone and Billboard Magazine, Amy Speace is one of contemporary folk and Americana music’s leading voices of the new generation. Lauded by mentors Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, and Janis Ian, as well as the songwriting community in Nashville, her songs have been recorded by Judy Collins, Red Molly, Sid Selvidge, among others. After 20 years of touring, she has played concerts all across the US and Europe and has graced stages from Glastonbury Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK, to Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and Mountain Stage.
A “writer’s writer,” she is a published poet, with pieces appearing in 2022’s Spring edition of 2River Review and Euphoria. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, American Songwriter, The Blue Rock Review. She’s also written a memoir called Menopausal Mommy: A Symphony in Four Trimesters
Every Wednesday, 7-9:00pm
StudioSwan llc | 6401 Campbellton Redwine Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
Email you are coming to: info@studioswan.com.
Sunday Aug 6, 20, & Sept 3, 3:30-5:30
Cost: $50
At Paint Space 10625 Serenbe Lane, Ste. A, in Serenbe
In this two-hour, bi-monthly class, we will explore the basics of several different crafts. Included will be pine needle baskets, weaving, making paper, and much more! People are often interested in crafting but get intimidated by not knowing where to start. This is it! Come and try your hand at several things and see what strikes your fancy. All materials are provided unless otherwise stated!
For more information visit and tickets https://www. paintspace.org
Sat, Aug 19, 7:30 pm -10:00 pm
Movies in the Meadow: Grease
Wildflower Meadow 10690 Hutcheson Ferry Rd. Chatt Hills, GA 30268, Tickets $10 per golf cart: https://rb.gy/ x3tkh
Rev your engines, hop in the car (or golf cart!), and travel to the summer of ‘58. In the words of Danny Zuko, "You can't just walk out of a drive-in!”
Get ready for a night of old-school rock ‘n roll in the Wildflower Meadow under the stars. Admission begins at 7:30 PM, and the movie will begin at 8:30 PM. Snacks including popcorn and candy will be available, as well as a bar with themed cocktails. Wear your best T-bird or Pink Lady getup, and prepare to relive the magic of Grease on the big screen!
Sat., Aug 12, 2-4pm
Gainey Hall 10640 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Tickets $100: https://www.shorturl.cool/0d5c0
Participants will learn how to make homemade salsa using farm fresh veggies from Serenbe Farms and other local farms. Make your own salsa & take some home to share with friends and family.
Tickets are non-refundable. Contact education@ serenbefarms.com for more information.
Aug. 12 thru Sept. 2. 10-11am.
Four classes on Sat. At Paint Space 10625 Serenbe Lane, Ste. A, in Serenbe. Cost: $150.00 for the course including materials; Venmo: @kurtzart.
Learn to draw and design characters with artist John Kurtz, a long-time artist for Disney, Sesame Street, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Hannah Barbera, and many others.
In this course, students will be shown how well-known characters are constructed and drawn. Students will then learn how to create their own character and how to draw it in different positions, and with different expressions.
Sun, Aug 13, 4:00 pm-7:00 pm
Fatima's Renaissance Dance Party
Lakeside Pavilion 10690 Hutcheson Ferry Rd, Chatt Hills, GA 30268, Tickets $50: https://www.showclix.com/ tickets/fatima-s-renaissance-dance-party-0bmnshp
Join legendary choreographer Fatima Robinson and friends at the Lakeside Pavilion for an epic afternoon of music and movement. Whether you are a trained ballerina, an occasional cupid shuffler, or someone with two left feet, you will want to party all day. Inspired by her work on the “Renaissance” tour, Fatima will host an energetic dance session open to all who wish to participate or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Your ticket will include access to a fabulous photo booth, misting station to beat the heat, and a complimentary drink (including Lemonade) at our themed cocktail bar! Wear your most comfortable and festive attire, and prepare to slay!
Fatima Robinson is one of the world’s most sought-after choreographers. Having choreographed several Superbowl halftime shows and Academy Award performances and worked with artists including Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Prince, Lana Del Rey, and Rihanna, she is the visionary behind many of the best-known pop culture moments of the century. She recently taught a masterclass at the White House and choreographed the upcoming movie adaptation of The Color Purple musical. She is currently the Director of Choreography for Beyonce’s soldout Renaissance world tour.
Thurs. Sept. 21, 6:00 PM
Art Farm Soirée at Serenbe
Location: Under the Tent, The Wildflower Meadow
10690 Hutcheson Ferry Rd. Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Tickets: https://www.artfarmatserenbe.org/events/artfarm-presents-the-under-the-tent-series
The “Under the Tent” series will commence with Art Farm at Serenbe’s first fundraising event — Soiree at Serenbe on September 21. This will be our inaugural annual fundraiser, and we want it to be a truly special evening. You will enjoy food and drinks, a live auction with fabulous prizes, and most excitingly…an exclusive preview performance of the three shows in the series: the powerful spoken word of Voice, the energetic vocals of Mashup in the Meadow, and the dazzling cirque spectacle Serenity.
Sat, Sep 23, 7:00pm
Voice (A Night of Spoken Word)
Location: Under the Tent, Tickets: https://www.showclix. com/tickets/under-the-tent-series-voice-1hju3o9
Voice: (A Night of Spoken Word), is hosted by Emmy-nominated author, poet, and playwright, Jon Goode.
Friday Sept 22, 7:00 PM
Location: Under the Tent. Tickets: https://www.artfarmatserenbe.org/events/mashup-in-the-meadow
We are thrilled to welcome five powerhouse vocalists to the stage to perform a dynamic medley of hit songs across rock, soul, and pop genres.
Tue, Sep 26 - Sun. Oct 1
Les Farfadais' Serenity
Location: Under the Tent
Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/tickets/under-the-tent-series-serenity-5vn0yq0
Escape the ordinary at the world premiere of Serenity, a brand-new cirque show that will transport you to a world of fantasy, magic, and spectacle.
The 10th Annual Serenbe Designer Showhouse is two homes that look out over the Mado Hamlet. The entryway features a dramatic 19-ft vaulted ceiling leading into open main-level living, dining, and kitchen, the latter featuring bespoke cabinetry and elevated finishes selected by Pamela Stakemann of South Haven Builders. Designed by Serenbe Planning & Design with multiple private porches off the back of the homes offering stunning treetop views.
September 29-October 22
Thursday-Sunday | 10am-4pm
Thursday, September 28 | 6pm Celebrate at the Preview Party!
Proceeds benefit the Decorative Arts Fellowship at Art Farm at Serenbe.
Join us to tour the Showhouse. Tickets Available Now. https://www.serenbeshowhouse.com/tickets
Saturday, Sept.16, 2pm-8pm
6300 Cochran Mill Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Admission: $6 per person, FREE for members
We’re batty for bats—what’s new? Join us for another year appreciating bats and the habitats they share with our plants and pollinators. Meet the bats through live animal encounters, participate in arts & crafts, attend science workshops, talks, and demonstrations, meet scientists and learn hands-on how they research bats in the field, and enjoy the outdoor hiking, canoeing, and games around the property — don’t forget to view the native plants! Food will be available for purchase all day from local food truck, Jalapeño Express.
All proceeds raised at Bat Fest benefit the environmental education and conservation efforts at Bear Creek Nature Center, including the awareness we bring for these often misunderstood animals and the daily care for our resident animal ambassadors, including our rescued native bat which is the only live native bat exhibit in Georgia.
Visit bearcreeknaturecenter.org to learn more about becoming a member.
Registration is now open for Ray Day!
Sunday, October 15th, 2-6 p.m. at Serenbe
Join the Ray C. Anderson Foundation for the ninth annual RayDay celebration, Sunday, October 15th, 2-6 p.m. at Serenbe. This family-friendly celebration of the life and legacy of Ray C. Anderson (1934-2011) is the Foundation’s gift to the community. Tickets are available, and will likely reach capacity well before the event. Food trucks, 60+ environmentally focused booths, carnival rides, animal encounters, hot air balloon rides, and an electric vehicle showcase.
Admission is free, but you must register to attend this ticketed event: http://bit.ly/rayday2023
me, come find me in the woods," said Anne.
Taking a gap year can lead to reinventing, as it has for Anne Dries. Now the top of the resumé includes becoming a Georgia Master Naturalist, a Georgia Audubon Master Birder, volunteering as the Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy and assisting at Pike Nurseries. With travel and art thrown in.
Luckily, for local artists, it doesn't stop there. Anne can now add to the list, becoming the Executive Director of the Chatt Hills Artist Co-op, which includes the Chatt Hills Gallery, the Paint Space at Serenbe, and overseeing the Art Room at City Hall.
Anne Dries Becomes Executive Director of the Chatt Hills Artist Co-op
"Sometimes to grow, you have to pause and reflect. Rest and get quiet so you can hear what's calling you. These last few years of global pandemic have felt like ten, and it is time to stop and reorient the compass. I'm staying put, spending lots of time in nature, and building a career around my life...not a life around my career. A year spent intentionally that will lead to the next few decades of contribution, creativity, connection, and fun. If you need
Anne Dries has the right stuff. With over 25 years of program leadership, financial and administrative management in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors, she brings all those skills to advance the mission of the Artist Co-op.
“I’m thrilled to join the effort to support and develop local artists, to create art exploration opportunities, and to build connection in the Chatt Hills community to and through art. When I came to Chatt Hills, one of my first opportunities to meet friends and neighbors was in a ceramics class taught by a co-op artist. It’s my great privilege to return the favor through this work.”
Waduda Muhammad is a first generation Caribbean American. My family migrated to the US from Trinidad when I was very young. Growing up in the south as an immigrant was unique & complex; I found my voice through the Visual Arts. I am happy to tell you all about it!
As Director, I'm looking forward to advancing all the goals of Center & StudioSwan, serving Chattahoochee Hills and greater metro Atlanta Visual Art communities. Stay tuned for our announcements ~ on Exhibitions, Workshops, Classes, Events, and more. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
Adrienne Anbinder grew up New York. As a child, she was mesmerized by the colorful floral images that her artist-mother painted on the walls of her Brooklyn home.
With every mixed-media image that Adrienne creates, her goal is to tell an evocative story. Every flower, every object, has a message hidden within. Anbinder believes that unearthing its secrets is key to creating unique, provocative imagery.
Adrienne’s ethereal photographs have been seen in New York, at Gallery 104, 1stdibs Design Showroom, and on websites such as New York Arts and Artography Limited. Her work can also be seen at Laguna Beach Gallery in California, as well as in Georgia at the Chatt Hills Gallery in Serenbe. Dozens of her photographs have been licensed to several worldwide licensing companies. And Oranges & Parrot Tulips has recently been purchased for a major motion picture.
For more information visit: www.adrienneanbinder.com
To celebrate her deep connection to nature, Adrienne created a fine art collector’s limited-edition book of flowers called FlowerStory. This hand-bound, silk-covered book features ten of her personal floral stories - which are accompanied by over fifty beautiful flower portrait “Anbinder’s sensual flowers mystically emerge as if lifting off the page, fully and vulnerably, beckoning the viewer.”—Debbie Morton, Morton Contemporary Gallery, Philadelphia
Adrienne Anbinder, Scott Areman, Malinda Lively-Arnold, Morgan Boszilkov, Logynn B Ferrall, Gail Foster, BJ Glick, Vinayak Godbole, Wanda Hughes, Ann Jackson, Mary H Johnson, Pamela Kamor, Robert Lederman, Cindy Lederman, Natalie McIntyre, Julie McKinney, Mary Shepard, Karin Slaton, Tom Swanston, Judy Walker, Martin Whist, and Eileen Wilson
9057 Selborne Lane & Paint Space, 10625 Serenbe Lane Unit A www.chatthillsgalleryserenbe.com
Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is a charming neighborhood bookstore in the Serenbe development of Chattahoochee Hills and was founded by the couple behind Underground Books in Carrollton.
We’re thrilled to announce that Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is now open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm every week, and we’re open 24/7 online at at www.bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and www.bookshop.org/shop/ undergroundbooks and info@hillsandhamlets.com
New in Historical Fiction: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Recommended by bookseller Patience, this novel tells the story of the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of The Personal Librarian Out now!
Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780593440285
New in Mythic Fantasy: Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J. A. Bear
Recommended by bookseller Kalynn: “This beautifully written novel reimagines the story of the Gorgon sisters: Euryale, Stheno, and the most well known, Medusa. Most people are not even aware that the Gorgons were a trio, and that truly is a shame because their story is such a touching and heartfelt journey of sisterhood. They struggle with wanting sisterly revenge despite their desire to protect each other at any cost. As the sisters travel across land and sea they learn what it means to truly love and what that love will cost them in the end.” Out August 8th!
Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780593547762
New in Picture Books: Hidden Gem by Linda Liu
Prepare to fall in love with this debut picture book and its irresistibly quirky story of a tiny, unassuming rock's journey to self-confidence, perfect for fans of Eric Carle and Jon Klassen. When a small pebble sees others gathering on the steps of the Museum of Rocks, he grows curious. Once inside the esteemed halls, he is shocked by what he discovers. The only rocks on display are glittering gemstones, geodes, and crystals! These beautiful stones make him wonder: Can he be special, too? Perhaps he'll find an answer in the World's Most Beautiful Gem exhibition . . . or maybe, just maybe, he will find the answer inside himself. For ages 4 and up, out now!
Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250835079
The food bank continues to serve families twice monthly during the Month of August. We will also have school supplies available for families during the month of August while supplies last.
Clients served in June:
We served 58 families, a total of 202 were served with 77 children. We have seven new families who have joined during this month.
We have a request to start a Bridge Club. If you are interested in learning to play Bridge or already know how to play, send a message through our FB page to Nan McGuffey or call the library at 770-463-6600. We will get play started!
Many thanks to the City of Chatt Hills who, through donated funding, is providing our very warm volunteers with ceiling fans outside during these hot months.
Campbellton Baptist Church 8660 Church Street
Friendship Baptist Church 6090 Cochran Mill Rd., www.friendshipbaptistchatthills.com
Interfaith Fellowship at Serenbe www.facebook.com/ groups/1964824926878340/
New Hope United Methodist Church 7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd
Providence Baptist Church 6402 Campbellton Redwine Rd., www.pbcrico.org
Rico United Methodist Church 6475 Rico Rd
Rivertown United Methodist Church 9325 Rivertown Rd
Sardis Baptist Church 8400 Sardis Rd., www. sardisbaptistch.com
Southside at Serenbe
915AM & 11AM at 10640 Serenbe Ln, Chatt Hills, GA 30268, Gainey Hall in Serenbe. Ryan Smart, Lead Pastor, southside.org.
Southern Crescent Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
www.facebook.com/Southern CrescentUUFellowship/
Vernon Grove Baptist Church 8440 Vernon Grove Rd.
Southside Church is excited to open at our brand new location at Gainey Hall in Serenbe on Sunday, August 13th! We have programming for the entire family. Sundays at Southside Church Chatt Hills are designed to make faith practical at every stage of life. We would love for you to join us! On August 20th, we will have a block party for the
James Henley Turner, Senior, 88, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 11, 2023, in the comfort of his home accompanied by his beloved wife and family members. His heavenly homegoing was just four days shy of his 89th birthday.
He was born to Fred Oxford Turner and Emma Bonita Kearns on July 15, 1934, in Fulton County, GA. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Fred “Freddie” Oxford Turner, & brother, Preston Monroe Turner.
At six years old his family moved to Hutcheson Ferry Road in Palmetto, Georgia, where he remained until enlisting in the Army at 21 years old. He served Active Duty in Germany from 1955-1957, then four years in Reserve before his discharge. In May 1957, he began working for Delta Airlines at Hartsfield International Airport. He specialized in welding and later became a Lead Mechanic
for Delta’s Department 400 - Welding Shop for almost 30 years, retiring in 1993.
James enjoyed spending his retirement years with Barbara Ann (Saye) Turner, his beloved wife of 66 years. Together, they attended churches where she served as minister of music and pianist, most recently at New Hope United Methodist Church in Chattahooche Hills, Georgia, and Bethany United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. A skilled handyman and mechanic, James could figure out how to repair or use most machinery. Even up to his last months, he surprised his grandkids by embracing the digital age, communicating via email on his computer, texting, and FaceTiming on his iPhone.
He is survived by two children, James Henly Turner, Junior (wife Kim) and Tracy Lynn Staton (husband Blake); six grandchildren, Alison Joy Schatz (husband Derek), Daniel James Turner (wife Emily), Benjamin Joseph Turner (wife Delaney), Joanna Grace Turner, Hannah Faith Staton, and Caleb Fred Staton; and one sister, Elaine “Sister” Draper.
Produced by The Art Farm at Serenbe
Qualifying for the November 7, 2023, City of Chattahoochee Hills General Election opens at 8:30 am MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023, and closes at 4:30 pm on FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2023, for the offices of three Council seats (District 1, District 3, and District 5). The hours of qualifying each day shall be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The City Clerk’s office will be closed daily from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Candidates may qualify by filing a Notice of Candidacy and paying the qualifying fee with the City Clerk at the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall, 6505 Rico Road, Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. The Qualifying Fee is $36.00.
The last day to register and be eligible to vote in this election will be October 10, 2023.
The polls will be open on election day from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall, 6505 Rico Road, Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia 30268.
Candidate Information Packet: https://cms3.revize.com/ revize/chattahoochhillsga/Candidate%20Information%20 Packet%202023.pdf.
City Council District Map: https://cms3.revize.com/ revize/chattahoochhillsga/New%20Districts%20with%20 Road%20Names_2023_FINAL.pdf
The City of Chattahoochee Hills hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, coordinated by the Chatt Hills Community Outreach (CHCO) initiative. The city shares a common goal with CHCO to offer events that foster camaraderie and help build a strong community by connecting residents with each other, city services, and local businesses.
Our FREE special events would not be possible without the support and partnership of volunteers, local community businesses, and organizations.
We invite you to join us in supporting our 2023 line-up of special events. As a sponsor of our special events, we will acknowledge you in our promotional material and offer a half-page ad in our municipal monthly newsletter. You will receive a letter to share with your accountant as a qualified deduction for 2023 tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Harvest Festival Oct. 14 at Town Green
Community Awards Banquet Nov. 10
Christmas In Chatt Hills Dec. TBA City Hall
For more information contact: Robert Rokovitz, City Manager, robbie.rokovitz@chatthillsga.us 770.463.8881 or Ruby Foster, ruby.foster@chatthillsga.us - Chatt Hills Community Outreach
This is an ongoing historical project by Laurie Searle to document the History of Land Use in Chatt Hills. This project is recorded on www.chatthillshistory.com – a history website made available to the community by Laurie. The link to this project is: http://www.chatthillshistory. com/transfer-of-development-rights.html
Transfer of Development Rights: The community undertakes the first formal TDR program in Georgia
From: TDR: Current programs and proposals for standard implementation programs (University Student Report April 23, 2007 )
The Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance (CHCA) developed a Master Plan for 40,000 acres of South Fulton County through a community-wide process. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Land Use Plan as part of its 2015 Land Comprehensive Land Use Plan in August 2002. Subsequently, Fulton County unanimously adopted the Overlay District guidelines in October 2002. This plan will serve as the blueprint for future growth in the area and has the potential to be a national model for sustainable community planning.
Key to the implementation of the Land Use Plan is the transfer of development. In April 2003, the State Legislature passed an amendment to the Transfer of Development Rights legislation, making TDRs available to any county that adopts enabling TDR ordinances. Fulton County had already passed the enabling ordinance earlier that month, making Fulton County the first eligible area for TDR transactions, not only in Georgia, but in the entire southeastern United States. Their goal was to promote the conservation of natural, agricultural, environmental, historical, and cultural resources and to encourage smart growth in appropriate areas.
A TDR program is a growth management tool in which the potential development of one piece of land is transferred to another piece of land. This is typically done to remove harmful development from an environmentally sensitive area while still allowing the land owner to gain financially from their property. The program requires the establishment of “sending” and “receiving” zones and a bank with which to do the transfer. Development rights are
bought and sold by potential developers. This creates a situation where the development companies themselves are paying for the protection of environmentally sensitive land instead of the government, which typically gets stuck with the bill.
Transferring development rights requires three elements, sending areas that are to be protected, receiving areas that are to be developed, and a TDR Bank. A TDR Bank can be a public, quasi-public, private, or non-profit organization. The primary purpose of a bank is to buy and sell TDRs and provide administrative assistance in the transfers. How much these development rights are worth depends on how community chooses to define the sending and receiving areas and the credits themselves. The primary benefits of creating a bank include: leading education programs to help landowners understand the concept of development rights; providing interested parties with the appropriate forms and requirements for a successful transfer; and to supervise the process behind TDRs to prevent fraud or complications in the transfers.
When the city of Chattahoochee Hills incorporated in 2007, it adopted Fulton County zoning ordinances, including its TDR Ordinance. Chatt Hills made some initial changes to those ordinances and then significantly updated its zoning ordinances after its first Comprehensive Plan in 2011. Over the past several years, the city worked to consolidate several zoning ordinances and create a single Unified Development Code. It also refined and enhanced its TDR Ordinance with changes that were adopted on February 7, 2023.
The following section offers a high-level summary of the TDR Ordinances as adopted by Fulton County in 2003 and Chattahoochee Hills in 2023.
2003 Fulton County TDR Ordinance: This ordinance provided the basic foundation for the program. Written like a bare-bones document it includes definitions and the structure of the program.
See: www.chatthillshistory.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/ chc_tdr_ord.pdf
Summary follows:
• Sending area: any area that is not the receiving area or otherwise ineligible.
• Receiving area: those properties intended for mixedused developments.
• Eligibility: landowners or representations with the authority to transfer fee simple ownership of the parcel.
• Ineligibility: parcels which all development rights have been previously sold, transferred, or placed into conservation; open space in a hamlet or conservation subdivision.
• Calculation of development rights: for each eligible gross acre of the sending area, one development right (TDR) will be issued.
• Calculation methods for acquisition of development rights: Complex formulas and examples for residential and commercial properties.
• Process for recordation of TDRs: for sending areas and receiving areas.
• TDR Bank: to facilitate the exchange by purchasing and selling TDRs.
2023 Chattahoochee Hills TDR Ordinance: This ordinance provides a very detailed description of the definitions and the structure of the program. See: www.chatthillshistory.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/ chatthillschapter13-tdr__adopted020723_.pdf
A summary follows:
• Sending area: any area that is not the receiving or otherwise ineligible.
• Receiving area: those properties intended for mixedused developments.
• Eligibility: landowners or representations with the authority to transfer fee simple ownership of the parcel.
• Ineligibility: parcels which all development rights have been previously sold, transferred, or placed into conservation; open space in a hamlet or conservation subdivision.
• Calculation of development rights: for each eligible gross acre of the sending area, one development right (TDR) will be issued minus specified land in road right-of-way, conservation land, existing commercial or industrial development, or non-developable acreage such as wetlands, stream buffers of floodplains (sec-
tion G of ordinance.
o Bonus TDRS: are available for properties of 40 or more acres (section F of ordinance).
• Receiving of TDRs: section 13-7 describes eligible properties, development potential with TDRs, calculation methods for acquisition of TDRs; and use of TDRs.
• Density Transfer Charges (DTC): new program that allows owners or developers of eligible TDR receiving sites to have the option of developing such sites by paying a DTC amount at a rate approved and adopted by the city. The city shall use DTC proceeds exclusively for the preservation of properties pursuant to the TDR and PDR program.
• Purchase of Development Rights (PDR): new program that describes role of a plan administrator for administrating the program.
• Types of available easements: new section that describes conservation easements and affirmative agriculture easements.
• Administration process: for recording TDR transactions
Next in this series is the Comprehensive Plan: The community sets a vision for Chatt Hills to “Keep it Rural.”
Two proposed developments in Chattahoochee Hills have entered the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review process with the Atlanta Regional Commission: Merrill Park Chattahoochee Hills, and Creative Land Co, LLC. Under the Georgia Planning Act of 1989, any large-scale development, or one that is likely to impact neighboring jurisdictions, is subject to review as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI). Once submitted the Atlanta Regional Commission gathers input from neighboring jurisdictions and other potentially affected parties and produces a report detailing comments and recommendations. After the review is complete, the local government retains its authority to make the final decision regarding approval of the development.
The DRI Review is expected to take several weeks/ months. Once the DRI Review is complete, the proposed developments will undergo a minimum of the following meetings in Chatt Hills:
1. City Council Work Session – Presentation of the proposed project
2. City Council Meeting – First read, no action
3. Planning Commission (PC) Meeting – Public hearing, deliberation, recommendation to city council
4. City Council Work Session – Presentation of the proposed project, review of PC recommendation, deliberation
5. City Council Meeting – Public hearing, presentation of the project, deliberation, vote
The brief description and site map for each project is provided from the DRI material on the following pages. Please note that this information may not be final, as the DRI Review and Chatt Hills City Council may recommend changes.
Location: Intersection of South Fulton Pkwy and Cochran Mill Rd
Brief Description of Project: This project consists of 524.66 ac. The master planned community is a mixed use development that includes various commercial, residential, hospitality, and healthcare uses. 2,000 Residential Units of mixed variety, 400 hotel rooms, 425,000 sf of retail/office/ residential,
Estimated Project: This project/phase: 2035
Completion Dates: Overall project: 2035
PROPOSED CREATIVE LAND CO, LLC (DRI # 4027)
Location: South of Cedar Grove Road, west of Cochran Mill Road, and east of Creel Road, Tax Parcel ID# 07 0100
Brief Description of Project: Approximately 265-acre mixed-use development consisting of approximately 607 residential units (200 multifamily, 167 townhomes, and 240 single-family), 100 hotel rooms, and 14,000 SF of retail space.
Estimated Project: This project/phase: 2031
Completion Dates: Overall project: 2031
In a rural city like Chattahoochee Hills with 3,000 residents dispersed over 52 square miles, it can be a challenge for councilmembers to connect with the residents in their districts. While we very much appreciate those who are able to attend our city council meetings, we realize those don’t present the best opportunities for in-depth discussions or to address issues that are specific to neighborhoods or districts.
Recently, two small gatherings were hosted by residents to give their neighbors opportunities to meet with their councilmembers. These were quite successful so I wanted to encourage others to host small meetings if they think their neighbors might benefit from small group discussions with their councilmembers.
Private meetings may be hosted with one or more council members for your invited guests, or public meetings may be hosted at city hall for any and all residents to attend. The only stipulation is that a quorum of council members (3 council members) cannot be present when discussing official city business that is up for a council vote.
Mayor Tom Reed announced at the July 27 city council work session that GreyStone Power has finished mapping the city of Chattahoochee Hills for its Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) pilot project. GreyStone Power will give a presentation on its progress at the August 1 city council meeting.
The next step in the FTTH project timeline is Fiber Construction. Mayor Reed said it looks like they will be pulling permits soon and may be on schedule to start the first installations in Chatt Hills by the end of the year.
For more information on GreyStone Power FTTH see: https://cms3.revize.com/revize/chattahoochhillsga/ChattHills%20News%20(Nov%202022).pdf
For GreyStone Power's Presentation given April 2023 see: https://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/greystone_broadband_presentation__external_.pdf
July 14 to review the Rico Historic Crossroads project. A resident coordinated the meeting, inviting neighbors who were new to District 3 and others who hadn’t had the opportunity to hear the presentation during the council meeting.
Sixteen residents attended and seemed to enjoy the opportunity to get to know one another and share input and ideas that would benefit the city.
The Women’s Network at Serenbe invited the Chatt Hills Councilwomen for a panel discussion at their June 25 meeting.
Councilmembers Camille Lowe, Ruby Foster, and Laurie Searle each gave an overview of the initiatives they work on in addition to their city council duties, followed by updates from their specific districts.
A Q&A panel discussion followed with enthusiastic participation from the group.
The City of Chattahoochee Hills provides a variety of services to our citizens. These services include, but are not limited to, police, fire, public safety, public works, parks and recreation, library, planning and zoning, court, parks, building inspections, permitting, stormwater management, and general administrative services. Service the city does not provide includes utilities, such as water, sewer, electricity, cable TV, internet, and sanitation. Not having the last of these, sanitation, as a city service seems to impact some residents more than others.
There are residents in the city who struggle to find and keep a provider that will pick up their household trash on a consistent and reliable basis. Even though this is not a city-provided service, we field a lot of calls from residents asking for assistance. We recognize that many residents may never need assistance from the police, fire, public works, parks, building, permitting, planning and zoning, or court services departments, but everyone accumulates household waste and needs to have a legal avenue for discarding this waste. Right now, the only option is to contract with a private provider, but these seem to be few and far between. The providers who have traditionally provided their service in the past have been pulling their business out of our city in order to take on larger, more lucrative contracts. There are even some of our citizens whose trash service was cancelled for non-payment because the provider lumped them into a City of South Fulton contract even though they are clearly Chattahoochee Hills residents. This quandary has resulted in a request from the Mayor and Council to post a Request for Proposal (RFP) for residential curbside solid waste services.
This RFP was put out Friday, July 12th with a submittal deadline of Friday, August 18th at 12:00 p.m. This RFP is available on the city’s website under the document center. In brief, the city is seeking an exclusive provider for solid waste services throughout the city with the exception of private property and/or communities that are part of an HOA that provides this service. Should the RFP yield a provider, all residents will be required to subscribe to this
service. While we do not know what the cost of this service will be, we anticipate it being around $45 per quarter, or about $180 per year. Billing for this service would be handled annually and included in property tax bills provided through the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s office. Since this will be an exclusive franchise, meaning no provider other than the one awarded by the Mayor and Council can execute these services within the city limits, we will also require of the provider a 3% franchise fee paid to the city. Of course, the RFP does not guarantee trash service, but is instead a request for qualified and responsive bidders, should there be any interest in serving our city. This has not been done to date because as a city of 60 square miles with 40 miles of narrow gravel roadways, many of which have no outlets, Chatt Hills presents many challenges for a business model that prefers more density and less geographic area to cover. Additionally, when we exclude areas that are private or have a private HOA, we only have around 1,000 households, equating to an estimated $180,000 per annum revenue generation for the prospective provider to cover all that territory every week. Stay tuned; this process is currently ongoing.
Click HERE for Zoom link, ID: 899 1151 9653, Code: 942739, Dial in: 646-558-8656
Call to Order Members present: Members present: Reed, Schmidt, Searle, Lowe, Bettis. Foster joined via videoconference at 6:30 p.m.
Review and Approval of Agenda: Amended as follows:
1. Defer Item No. 23-022, Award the bid for the 2023 TSPLOST (FY2024) project.
2. Defer Item No. 23-026, Development Agreement between the City of Chattahoochee Hills (CoCH) and the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau (CHCVB) and the Serenbe Hotel Developer to direct Hotel Motel Taxes generated by the proposed Serenbe hotels to expenses and activities permitted in the controlling statutes.
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 6, 2023 Passed 4-0
2. Minutes of the Special Called Meeting of June 21, 2023 Passed 4-0
Presentations / Proclamations (None)
Public Comments
Staff Reports
Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz
Fire Department Report: Greg Brett
Foster joined the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Police Department Report: Kevin Digou
Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt
Community Development Report: Mike Morton
Public Hearing
1. Item 23-020: Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map to Rezone
23.34 Acres from the RL (Rural) District to the HM-MU (Mixed-Use Hamlet) District – application consists of 3 parcels, two on the west side of Watkins Road, adjacent to the recently rezoned F-lots, and one east of Atlanta Newnan Road, just beyond the dead end of Rock Hill Drive. Passed 5-0
1. Item 23-022: Award the bid for the 2023 TSPLOST (FY2024) project. Deferred
2. Item 23-023: Ordinance to approve a Special Use Permit for a Hotel in the HM-MU (Hamlet Mixed-Use) District and for all other purposes related thereto – property is 10.15 acres located in the northwest corner of Selborne Lane and Selborne Way. First read only. No action will be taken. No action taken.
3. Item 23-024: Ordinance to Approve a Special Use Permit for a Hotel in the HM-MU (Mixed-Use Hamlet) District and for all other purposes related thereto –property is 8+ acres at 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road (Rear) on Serenbe Lane between the Mado neighborhood and the Coweta County Line. First read only. No action will be taken. No action taken.
4. Item 23-025: Ordinance to approve a Special Use Permit for a Medical Laboratory, a Special Use Permit for a Rooming House and a Special Use Permit for a Rehabilitation Center in the HM-MU (Hamlet MixedUse) District and for all other purposes related thereto – property is 7.16 acres at 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road (Rear) at the northwest corner of Prom Field Road and Serenbe Lane. First read only. No action will be taken. No action taken.
5. Item 23-026: Development Agreement between the City of Chattahoochee Hills (CoCH) and the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau (CHCVB) and the Serenbe Hotel Developer to direct Hotel Motel Taxes generated by the proposed Serenbe hotels to expenses and activities permitted in the controlling statutes. Deferred
6. Item 23-027: Resolution Accepting a donation in two installments at $2,500 each for a total of $5,000 from Community Brickworks to be used for Community Outreach activities. Passed 5-0
Mayor and Council Comments
Executive Session (None)
Adjourn Meeting The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Trending Topic
Community & City City of Chattahoochee Hills, City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, Phone: (770) 463-8881, www.chatthillsga.us
City of Chatt Hills: www.chatthillsga.us
Chatt Hills Charter School: http://www.chatthillscharter.org/calendar
Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org
Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com
Acton Academy at Serenbe: http://actonacademyatserenbe.com/#ourstory
These will be virtual and open to the public. Meetings will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.
City Council Meeting - Tues., Aug., 1, 6:00 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Parks Commission Meeting - Tues., Aug., 8, 6:00 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Planning Comission Meeting - Thurs., Aug. 10, 6:30 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Historic Commission Meeting - Mon., Aug. 14, 6:30 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
Red Cross Blood Drive - Thurs., Aug., 20, 1:00 pm
City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
The official newsletter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Chatt Hills News, is published monthly. This publication is compiled from submissions from the community and is available in public locations around the City, at City Hall, or via email subscriptions.
Email Subscriptions:
To subscribe via email, visit the City’s Website: www.chatthillsga.us, Or subscribe directly at this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/w9cGwxA
About Chatt Hills News Print Copies:
Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have Internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall: (770) 463-8881.
Chatt Hills News Article / Event Submissions:
If you have a story, event, or suggestion for future articles, we’d like to hear from you. Please submit your information by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: chatthillsnews@chatthillsga.us
The parking passes for Cochran Mill Park are now available. Visit City Hall for your application. The fees are as follows: Residents – free; Annual car/truck$25; Annual 3+ axels - $35
