January 2017 Newsletter

The Johns Creek City Council approved the following Parks Design Concepts for the City’s five newest parks: Cauley Creek; Technology Park Linear Park; and the pocket parks at Morton Road, State Bridge, and Bell/Boles.

Public involvement is key to the success of this new park design project and citizen input will continue help to guide the planning process. Share your ideas by emailing the City at parkdesign@johnscreekga.gov.

Click HERE for more information or to submit your comments and questions.

The JCCA is busy preparing for their Annual Meeting and we want you to save the date!

The neighborhood meeting is an opportunity for residents and business owners to learn more about a current rezoning or special use permit application. This was formerly known as Community Zoning Information Meeting (CZIM).

This informal meeting is held at the beginning of the application process, and is before both the Planning Commission meeting and the Mayor & City Council meeting.

Individuals will have the opportunity to hear directly from the applicant, review plans up close (such as site plans and architectural drawings) and ask questions regarding the proposal. The neighborhood meeting will replace the public participation meeting that was typically held during the JCCA meetings.

The next meeting will take place on Jan. 5, 2017 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7pm. Please see the upcoming cases below:

• RZ-17-001
• RZ-17-002
• RZ-17-003
• RZ-17-004

Please click HERE for more information on zoning.

Citizens of Johns Creek, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs can text 911 if they are unable to verbally call 911 during an emergency starting Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.

Chatcomm, Johns Creek’s 911 authority, implemented texting 911 to assist callers who are hearing impaired or in situations where a caller may be in an extremely dangerous situation and placing a verbal call to 911 may place them in further danger. It is not for regular contact with 911.

Calling 911 is the preferred method of giving information to dispatchers as it saves time and allows call takers to ask vital questions in a timely manner in order to send help.

If you text 911, you will receive a message that states “If it is safe to do so, please call 911.” If there is no reason to text 911 you are asked to stop texting and call 911. Text messengers will need to type their address or street intersection so responders know the text messenger’s location.

It’s important to note that texting 911 is slower than normal phone conversations, and vital questions will be asked and text messengers must text back the answers.

The system cannot receive photos or video at this time.

With the improvement in weather and drought conditions, the City of Johns Creek has lifted its temporary prohibition of outdoor burning.

“We encourage everyone to use appropriate, safe burning practices if they decide to conduct any outdoor burning,” said Johns Creek Fire Marshal Chad McGiboney.

McGiboney added that any outdoor burning requires approval prior to conducting burning activity.

To request approval, visit the City website to submit the request online. View the City’sburning guidelines.

The City of Johns Creek is seeking volunteers interested in serving on its five boards and commissions.

Residents who are interested in serving on the Arts & Culture Board, Public Art Board, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Construction Board of Appeals, can nominate themselves for board positions. Residents with the time, ability and desire to actively participate on these boards are asked to please apply online.

The Arts & Culture Board, which has seven members, promotes the arts by making recommendations to the Mayor and City Council about enriching the City’s cultural scene. The board advocates for the arts as well as studies and makes quarterly recommendations to City Council about policies and proposed programs or artwork in Johns Creek. The Arts & Culture Board members are nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Each board member is appointed to a two-year term and may serve consecutive terms.  The Arts & Culture Board meets on the fourth Thursday of the month.

The Public Art Board, which has five members, reviews proposals for public art work and provides recommendations to the City Council as outlined in the Public Art Ordinance and Public Art Master Plan. The Public Art Board may develop standards for Public Art on City property, including the selection of works of art and special landscape treatments, with the final review and approval by the Mayor and City Council. Each board member is appointed by the Mayor & City Council to four-year terms. The Public Art Board meets as proposals are received.

The Planning Commission, which has seven members, reviews zoning cases and serves as a recommending body to the Mayor and City Council for the purpose of upholding and implementing the vision and objectives as outlined in Comprehensive Plan and accompanying regulatory ordinances such as zoning and subdivisions. Planning Commission members are appointed by Mayor & City Council and serve two year, staggered terms. The Planning Commission meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), which has seven members, decides on cases requesting variances and/or code interpretations on the regulatory ordinances of the City, including but not limited to zoning and land development regulations. Further, the board shall hear cases requesting an appeal to a staff interpretation and/or decision on the above referenced ordinances. Other ordinances adopted in the future that include regulatory requirements which affect building and development may come under the purview of this Board. The BZA is a decision making board in that any appeal to its decisions shall be made to the Superior Court of Georgia.  BZA members are appointed by Mayor & City Council and serve two year, staggered terms. The Board of Zoning Appeals meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

The Construction Board of Appeals, which has five members, decides on cases requesting variances, code interpretation or an appeal to a staff decision on regulatory ordinances of the construction of buildings or the life safety within such structures.  The Johns Creek Construction Board of Appeals is appointed by Mayor & City Council and does not currently have a regular meeting schedule.  Ideal candidates include persons in the architecture, construction and engineering field.  When one is established, meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers.

Questions? Call City Hall at 678.512.3200 or email info@JohnsCreekGA.gov.

 We’re in the throes of Winter, and that means that an ice or snow storm may cause you to lose power for a few days. These helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other federal agencies will come in handy, should you ever find yourself in your house, waiting for the power to return!