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Monday, June 17, 2019 WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA

11360 Lakefield DriveJohns Creek, GA 30097

5:00 PM

www.JohnsCreekGA.govAs set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Johns Creek will assist citizens with specialneeds given proper notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Johns Creek. Pleasecontact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (678-512-3212) or email at joan.jones@johnscreekga.gov should you needassistance.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. MAYOR'S REMARKS

4. URGENT AND IMPORTANT

4.a. Review of Charter Home Rule Changes Section 6.24 and 6.28 - 15 min Home Rule Amendment Budget Timing.doc

4.b. Body Camera Vendor Selection - 45 min BodyCam Agenda Memo.docxRFP 18-351 In-Car & Body Worn Camera System Scoring Purchasing Recommendation.pdf

4.c. Zoning Ordinance - Updates to Align with Comprehensive Plan - 45 min Agenda Report - Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment - Alignment with the Comp PlanAttachment - Comp Plan Chapter 2 (Vision)Attachment - Zoning Ordinance - Draft Amendment.Attachment - Table Cross-Referencing Changes in Zoning Ordinance

4.d. Community Survey Results - 15 min 06-17-19_2019CommunitySurvey_MemoFINAL.docxJohns_Creek_2019_Community_Survey_Report_June17_FINAL6719.docx

4.e. Jones Bridge Road (Waters Road to State Bridge Road) Authorization forConcept/Design/Community Input Phase and Traffic Study - 45 min 06.17.19_-_Council_Memo_-_Jones_Bridge__TSPLOST__-_Authorizing_Concept_and_Engineering_Phase.docx

5. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1

6. ADJOURNMENT

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A HOME RULE ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE VI (FINANCE) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK; TO AMEND THE DATE BY WHICH THE CITY MANAGER SHALL SUBMIT THE OPERATING IMPROVEMENT BUDGET TO THE CITY COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the City of Johns Creek is authorized to make appropriations for the support of the government of the City; to authorize expenditures of money for ay purpose authorized by the Charter and State law; and, to provide for the payment of expenses of the City pursuant toSection 1.12(b)(3) and O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3; and

WHEREAS, the City of Johns Creek, as an incident of its home rule power, may amend its charter by ordinance in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(b)(1); and

WHEREAS, the City of Johns Creek is exercising its home rule power within the limitations set forth in O.C.G.A. § 36-35-6(a)(2)(B) and O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3(a)(2)(C).

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JOHNS CREEKHEREBY ORDAINS as follows:

Section 1. Amendment

The charter of the City of Johns Creek is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence of Sec. 6.24.- Operating budget. in its entirety and inserting, in lieu thereof, the following:

“On or before a date fixed by the city council but not later than 60 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the city manager shall submit to the city council a proposed operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year.”

Section 2. Severability

If any article, section, subsection, paragraph, clause, phrase or provision of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect or invalidate the remaining portions of this ordinance.

Section 3. Repealer

All charter sections, ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Section 4. Effective Date

This ordinance shall be effective October 1, 2019 or upon its adoption by the City Council of the City of Johns Creek, whichever is later.

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SO ORDAINED, this _____ day of ____________________, 2019.

____________________________________Michael E. Bodker, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________________Joan C. Jones, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

____________________________________E. Ronald Bennett, Jr., City Attorney

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AGENDA REPORT

To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

From: Ed Densmore, Chief of Police

Agenda: June 17, 2019 Work Session

Item: Request for Body Worn Camera System

Item SummaryStaff recommends selecting Axon Enterprise, Inc. for outfitting the Johns Creek Police Department with Body Worn Cameras, Fleet Cameras, Interview Room Cameras, and Taser 7. The Officer Safety Plan 7 (OSP 7) offers a five (5) year service plan that allows Johns Creek to leverage cost reduction in current budgeted equipment while enhancing service capabilities.

BackgroundCurrently, the Johns Creek Police Department obtains and stores video and audio recordings as well as Taser data from various platforms.

Our current fleet camera system, equipped by L3 Industries, provides limited recordings of incidents that occur inside, or within close proximity of a police vehicle. Our Interview Rooms are equipped with video and audio recording, using an L3 in-car camera system that was modified to provide documentation of Interviews. Our current Taser Model X2 is provided by Axon Enterprises and allows the Taser data to be uploaded manually into Evidence.com.

UpdateBy selecting and implementing the Officer Safety Plan provided by Axon Enterprises, Inc. we will have the ability to integrate all three recording systems which will allow us to store all video, audio, and Taser records into a consolidated and secure database. The Body Worn Camera System will include a replacement and upgrade of our current Fleet recording system. The cameras will document incidentsusing video and audio, and will no longer be limited by proximity to the police vehicle. This documentationwill allow us to provide transparency of actions, training opportunities, potential evidence, and policy review.

By replacing our current model Taser with Taser7 Model, the Body Worn Camera system can be configured to automatically activate and begin recording via numerous preconfigured triggers. In addition, any officer in the immediate area or those responding to the incident will have their Body Worn Camerasactivated as well. In the event of an officer responding from another department equipped with an Axon

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Body Worn Camera, their equipment will also be activated. This will provide various recorded viewpoints of a particular incident. Recent studies have suggested that the use of Body Worn Cameras have been associated with a reduction in citizen complaints of officers as well as reduced use of force incidents during arrests.

Furthermore, by Johns Creek Police Department implementing an Axon System (OSP 7) all of our equipment and data will be operating off one existing platform which will provide ease of operations in the field for users. The system will additionally offer cost reductions in our current budget as well as providing a stable figure for future budget projections.

Financial ImpactsA projected five (5) year contract is outlined in the attachment. We currently have funds allocated in our FY2019 budget that have not been spent to offset the $22,000 overage for the $400,000 that has been allocated for this project. In addition, we have allocated approximately $83,000 per year to support our current systems that would be allocated to this system if approved.

Alternatives 1. Continue with our current limited, and potentially end of life L3 System. 2. Remove the Taser 7 from the proposal.3. Research, purchase, and implement new interview room camera system due to City Hall move.

RecommendationImplement the OPS 7 program to the Johns Creek Police Department operation.

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AGENDA REPORT

To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

From: Kimberly Greer, Interim Community Development Director

Agenda: June 17, 2019 – Work Session

Item: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to align with the 2018 Comprehensive Plan

Item SummaryStaff has reviewed the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives, and strategies against the Zoning Ordinance to identify conflict points and hurdles to Comprehensive Plan implementation. Staff identified nine direct conflicts (some which manifest in multiple sections). Staff recommends amending the Zoning Ordinance to update Section 3.3. (Definitions), Section 4.4. (Large Scale Retail Service Commercial Developments), Section 8.1. (O-I Office Institutional District), Section 8.2. (MIX Mixed Use District), Section 9.1. (C-1 Community Business District), Section 9.2. (C-2 Community Business District), Section 11.1. (CUP Community Unit Plan District), Section 11.2. (NUP Neighborhood Unit Plan District), Section 12E.3.A. (Common Open Space), Section 12E.3.D. (Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation), and Section 19.3.3. (Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor).

BackgroundThe City regulates the use of private property through zoning. Zoning categorizes land by use or zoningdistricts. Each zoning district has its own intent; standards; and requirements such as permitted uses, minimum lot size, building form, and height restrictions. The City’s Zoning Ordinance has 23 zoning districts.In essence, the Zoning Ordinance regulates which uses can go where and what they look like when built.

The Comprehensive Plan focuses on the future and articulates the vision for what the community would like to see change and what it would like to see preserved or promoted for the decade to come. The City’s Comprehensive Plan was recently updated and adopted in its current form in October 2018. The Comprehensive Plan itself is not a binding, enforceable legal document but provides a legal basis for regulation.

The Zoning Ordinance and associated development regulations (subdivision ordinance, land development ordinance, natural resources and environmental protection ordinances) are binding, enforceable legal documents. The Zoning Ordinance is one of the strongest tools the City has to implement the Comprehensive Plan. By adjusting the standards and requirements in the Zoning Ordinance to align with the vision articulated

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in the Comprehensive Plan, the City will ensure that future growth and development are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan vision.

UpdateAt the April 22, 2019 Work Session, the City Council reviewed the competing priorities of the Community Development Department. At the May 6, 2019 Work Session, Council reached consensus that following the stormwater system assessment, updating the Zoning Ordinance to align with the Comprehensive Plan was the most pressing priority. Staff has focused the efforts to advance the priority. The analysis below and attached amendment describe recommended adjustments to the Zoning Ordinance.

AnalysisFrom a policy perspective, the most critical section of the Comprehensive Plan is Chapter 2 – Vision (attached for reference). In addition to the overall vision, the chapter outlines eight goals. Staff reviewed the goals, objectives, and strategies against the Zoning Ordinance to identify conflict points and hurdles to implementation. Staff identified nine direct conflicts. These nine conflict points manifest in multiple changes. For example, one change to require minimum open space is made 18 times – an addition to each of the 18 residential zoning districts. The following analysis of the conflict points and recommended amendments is organized by the Comprehensive Plan’s eight goals. Not all goals have conflict points with the Zoning Ordinance.

1. Goal 1: Protect and preserve the City’s premier residential communities and enhance our overall quality of life.

Conflict Point 1: Lack of Open Space Requirement in Residential Developments Open Space in residential development enhances the quality of life by providing recreational

opportunities for residents, encouraging the community to congregate and participate in neighborhood activities, and preserving natural resources. The Comprehensive Plan “expect[s] all new residential subdivisions to foster a sense of community by including usable common space” (Goal 1, Objective 3). Only three zoning districts (CUP, NUP and MIX)currently have a minimum open space requirement.

Staff proposes to add a minimum open space requirement to all 18 zoning districts with residential components (AG-1, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, R-5A, R-6, TR, CUP, NUP, MHP, MIX, A, and A-L) (Amendment to Section 12.E.3).

Staff proposes to adjust the existing open space requirement in CUP (Section 11.1), NUP(Section 11.2) and MIX (Section 8.2) to align with the new minimum open space requirement in the 18 residential zoning districts (Amendment to Section 12.E.3).

Conflict Point 2: Lack of Open Space Definition

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The Zoning Ordinance does not have a definition for Open Space. Adding a definition will help ensure consistency in implementation.

Staff proposes adding an Open Space Definition (Amendment to Section 3-3).

2. Goal 2: Provide superior recreational and cultural activities throughout the City.

Conflict Point 3: Limitations to Special Events One of the Comprehensive Plan’s objectives is to “support and encourage cultural activities,

events and festivals” (Goal 2, Objective 4). The Zoning Ordinance only allows two special events on the same property per year.

Staff proposes to increase the allowable number to four per year (Amendment to Section 19.3).

3. Goal 3: Protect the City’s natural environment and historic resources.

No direct major conflict points with the Zoning Ordinance with protecting the City’s natural environment or historic resources; subsequent update to the land development regulations will address identified conflict points.

4. Goal 4: Expand the City’s Economic Base

Conflict Point 4: MIX Zoning District does not foster Envisioned Mixed-Use District In order to preserve and protect the City’s residential community while expanding the City’s

economic base, the Comprehensive Plan recommends promoting economic development at certain existing commercial locations designated for Mixed-Use High-Intensity (MUHI) and Mixed-Use Low-Intensity (MULI). High-Intensity is up to 5 stories, 16 units per acre. Low-Intensity is up to 3 stories, 8 units per acre. As discussed at length in the development of the Comprehensive Plan, the high-intensity mixed-use district is only recommended in a small part of Tech Park and the low-intensity mixed-use is only recommended in a few strategic commercial locations with appropriate buffering to surrounding uses.

Staff proposes making the following changes to the MIX zoning district (Amendment to Section 8.2) to align with the Comprehensive Plan:o Add recommended MIX locations to reflect the designated MUHI and MULI areas o Redefine the intent of the MIX zoning districto Revise the use combination to make the residential components optionalo Remove undesirable uses and add uses outlined in the Comprehensive Plano Revise the Development Standards, for example: limiting the maximum percentage of

residential use areas, revising the maximum height for the MUHI area, and adding a maximum impervious area threshold.

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Conflict Point 5: Live-Work Unit Definition The Zoning Ordinance does not have a definition for Live-Work Unit. Staff proposes adding a definition will help ensure consistency in implementation

(Amendment to Section 3-3).

Conflict Point 6: Residential Use in Commercial and Office Areas During the Comprehensive Plan process, the community expressed their desire to protect

and preserve the City’s residential community by separating residential uses from non-residential uses, except for areas designated as Mixed-Use High-Intensity and Mixed-Use Low-Intensity. The Zoning Ordinance currently allows “apartments, above or behind commercial and offices uses in the same building” in the Community Business Districts (C-1 and C-2) and “single-family dwellings”, “two-family dwellings” and “rooming houses and boarding houses” in the Office Institutional District (O-I).

Staff proposes removing the residential components from C-1 (Amendment to Section 9.1), C-2 (Amendment to Section 9.2), and O-I (Amendment to Section 8.1).

Conflict Point 7: Encourage Appropriate Shopping Center Redevelopment The Comprehensive Plan encourages “redevelop[ing] existing neighborhood commercial

shopping centers” with “site and architectural design standards” (Goal 4, Objective 2). The Zoning Ordinance includes design standards for large-scale retail/service commercial developments, but the current threshold is 75,000 sq. ft. for an individual structure/establishment. Johns Creek does not have any individual retail/commercial service over 75,000 sq. ft.

Staff proposes applying the 75,000-sq. ft. threshold to a shopping center as a whole.Revisions should also be made to the site design standards to align with the Comprehensive Plan, including removing “infill/urban development,” adding an open space requirement, and requiring multi-use paths instead of sidewalks (Amendment to Section 4.4).

5. Goal 5: Strengthen the City’s Identity

No direct major conflict points with the Zoning Ordinance to strengthening the City’s identity.

6. Goal 6: Create a City Multi-Modal Transportation Network

Conflict Point 8: Encourage Creation of Multi-use Paths The Comprehensive Plan envisions “a system of multi-use trails located along arterial,

collector and local roadways to connect residential subdivisions to community destinations (schools, libraries, shopping, parks and religious institutions) to minimize the need to utilize adjacent roadways for short trips” (Goal 6, Objective 1, fourth Strategy). The Zoning Ordinance currently requires a 5-foot sidewalk along all public road frontage and 5 feet only

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provides space for two pedestrians to walk abreast or to pass. Multi-use paths need to wider to accommodate multiple uses and users.

Staff proposes a 10-foot multi-use path instead of a 5-foot sidewalk in order to accommodate both pedestrians, bicyclists, and other appropriate uses (Amendment to Section 12.E).

Conflict Point 9: Multi-Use Path Definition The Zoning Ordinance does not have a definition for Multi-Use Path. Staff proposes adding a definition to ensure consistency in implementation (Amendment to

Section 3-3).

7. Goal 7: Ensure the City has the appropriate tools to implement the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

Addressing the conflict points is an appropriate tool to implement the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

8. Goal 8: Improve Intergovernmental Relations.

No direct major conflict points with the Zoning Ordinance to improving intergovernmental relations.

Recommendation To align with the updated Comprehensive Plan, staff recommends initiating a Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to update Section 3.3. (Definitions), Section 4.4. (Large Scale Retail Service Commercial Developments), Section 8.1. (O-I Office Institutional District), Section 8.2. (MIX Mixed Use District), Section 9.1. (C-1 Community Business District), Section 9.2. (C-2 Community Business District), Section 11.1. (CUP Community Unit Plan District), Section 11.2. (NUP Neighborhood Unit Plan District), Section 12E.3.A. (Common Open Space), Section 12E.3.D. (Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation), and Section 19.3.3. (Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor).

Next StepsShould Council concur with the direction in which staff is taking the text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, staff will bring the draft to the Planning Commission for discussion. Staff will return to a future Council Meeting with a recommendation and any adjustments from the Planning Commission. Ultimately the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance will be a decision for Council.

Should Council follow staff’s process and methodology for the Zoning Ordinance update, staff will continue the effort for the updates to the Land Development Ordinance to align with the Comprehensive Plan. The majority of the Land Development Ordinance updates relate to Goal 3 (protect the City’s natural environment and historic resources) and Goal 1 (protect and preserve the City’s premier residential communities and enhance our overall quality of life).

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Attachments(1) Comprehensive Plan – Chapter 2: Vision(2) Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance

Section 3.3. Definitions Section 4.4. Large Scale Retail Service Commercial Developments Section 8.1. O-I Office Institutional District Section 8.2. MIX Mixed Use District Section 9.1. C-1 Community Business District Section 9.2. C-2 Community Business District Section 11.1. CUP Community Unit Plan District Section 11.2. NUP Neighborhood Unit Plan District Section 12E.3.A. Common Open Space Section 12E.3.D. Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Section 19.3.3. Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor

(3) Table Cross-Referencing Amendment by Zoning Ordinance Article

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VISION

“JOHNS CREEK IS AN EXCEPTIONAL CITY THAT SEEKS TO ENHANCE ITS RESIDENTIAL QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING ITS DIVERSITY, ARTS, BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS.”

The City profile in Chapter 1 demonstrates that Johns Creek’s development prior to incorporation was not always focused or guided. While we cannot undo past decisions, we can change the trajectory of future growth and development through long-term collaboration, commitment, and bold action.

Creating a new vision for the City through the Comprehensive Plan is the first step in this process. The second and most important step involves establishing goals and priorities. The final step requires the City to commit to a clear course of action.

The vision was created using the combined results of technical analyses and input gathered from public engagement. The goals, objectives and strategies are divided into eight themes: housing, parks and recreation, natural and historic preservation, economic development, city identity, transportation, land use and intergovernmental relations. The goals, objectives, and strategies outlined in this Vision Chapter will require the majority of Council to support and move forward functionally and financially.

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HOUSING

GOAL 1: PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CITY’S PREMIER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES AND ENHANCE OUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.

Objective 1. Ensure the integrity of existing single-family residential neighborhoods from overdevelopment of adjacent undeveloped/underdeveloped parcels.

Strategy: It is expected that undeveloped/underdeveloped parcels will be developed with a similar density or use as the surrounding neighborhood(s) or development(s). Remaining mindful of the diverse property uses surrounding these parcels, undeveloped/underdeveloped properties should be considered for rezoning.

Objective 2. Protect and preserve residential subdivision entrances and landscape strips/tree buffers along collector and arterial roadways.

Objective 3. Expect all new residential subdivisions to foster a sense of community by including usable common space.

Objective 4. Promote housing options within the City to attract and retain all age groups.

Strategy: Expand senior housing options to promote opportunities for “aging in place” and encourage active-adult and age-restricted housing developments near shopping and health-related services, especially in village designated areas and the Town Center.

Strategy: Expand home-owner housing options for Millennials, especially in village designated areas and the Town Center.

Strategy: Expand housing options for employees working in Technology Park, especially those in critical positions such as hospital workers.

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VISION | 37

PARKS AND RECREATION

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUPERIOR RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

Objective 1. Implement the strategies and projects identified in the Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan, adopted by the City in 2016.

Strategy: Complete the design and build-out of the five new parks: Cauley Creek Park, State Bridge Road Park, Morton Road Park, Boles-Bell Park and the Linear Park in Tech Park.

Strategy: Complete the improvements to Newtown Park, Ocee Park, Autrey Mill Preserve and Shakerag Park.

Objective 2. Ensure each Community Area has easy access to a park.

Strategy: Create a series of new and enhanced public spaces – including parks, plazas, and green spaces – throughout the city to serve as locations for residents to gather and interact.

Strategy: Encourage the City, if financially feasible, to acquire new parkland for community areas which are underserved by parks.

Objective 3. Ensure each Community Area has easy access to a recreational trail system.

Strategy: Create recreational trails separated from roadways by landscaping to encourage walking, biking and the use of Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) to make local trips to area office complexes, schools, shopping centers, religious institutions, libraries and parks.

Objective 4. Support and encourage cultural activities, events and festivals.

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NATURAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

GOAL 3: PROTECT THE CITY’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND HISTORIC RESOURCES.

Objective 1. Conserve natural areas such as floodplains, wetlands, tree groves, and specimen trees from future land development.

Strategy: Revise existing development regulations to encourage the minimization of grading and the removal of existing vegetation as part of development.

Strategy: Revise existing development regulations to encourage land to be developed in new subdivisions for use as open space and amenity space beyond the minimum requirements in the existing regulations.

Strategy: Integrate the preservation of natural areas, rivers and streams and environmental aesthetics into site plan designs.

Strategy: Revise existing development regulations to encourage green building design, technology and sustainable site design in all new development.

Strategy: Work with environmental stakeholders to obtain advice on environmentally responsible policies and practices.

Objective 2. Encourage the preservation of large tracts of undeveloped land as natural resources.

Strategy: Encourage parks, large agricultural areas and other green spaces to be protected in perpetuity.

Strategy: Acquire undeveloped lands to protect natural resources from development, if City funding allows.

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NATURAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Strategy: Support local land trusts to acquire stream corridors and their tributaries to provide floodway protection, natural habitat corridors and passive recreation resources.

Objective 3. Ensure existing properties with historical and/or architectural importance are protected.

Strategy: Adopt a historic preservation ordinance.

Objective 4. Protect, preserve and restore the City’s State Waters, buffers and river corridors.

Strategy: Enforce the provisions of the City’s Storm Water Management Program and the Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System permit.

Strategy: Study the feasibility of a stormwater utility or other alternative methodologies that will ensure the protection and restoration of existing and future Stormwater Facilities located within the City.

Strategy: Where feasible, encourage the implementation of new techniques and products that will decrease impervious surface areas within the City’s impaired watersheds.

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40 | VISION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GOAL 4: EXPAND THE CITY’S ECONOMIC BASE.

Objective 1. Attract new private companies to Technology Park to ensure a strong economic future.

Strategy: Target, retain and support the expansion of businesses that include health innovation and wellness, technology, information and software which will complement the existing businesses located in Technology Park.

Strategy: Create a walkable town center for Technology Park that contains a mix of housing options, restaurants, entertainment and public spaces to attract targeted companies.

Strategy: Support and encourage the private sector development of Class A office space and high quality meeting and event space.

Objective 2. Encourage private entities to redevelop existing neighborhood commercial shopping centers with high vacancy rates into village centers with public gathering spaces surrounded by mixed uses and/or retail uses.

Objective 3. Support the private development of small businesses and live-work spaces within the mixed-use areas identified in the future land use map.

Objective 4. Encourage the creation and retention of local businesses in Johns Creek.

Strategy: Collaborate, support and partner with local businesses desiring to bring healthcare innovation and wellness businesses into the City.

Objective 5. Implement the City’s adopted 2016 Strategic Economic Development Plan.

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CITY IDENTITY

GOAL 5: STRENGTHEN THE CITY’S IDENTITY.

Objective 1. Create a vibrant Town Center for the City in the heart of Technology Park to provide a place for citizens, workers and visitors to live, work, eat, play and shop.

Objective 2. Improve the City’s auto-centric, suburban identity by creating a small town feel with walkable villages in designated Community Areas.

Objective 3. Reinforce the City’s identity as a premier residential community by creating and maintaining attractive streetscapes throughout the City.

Objective 4. Enhance the City’s identity by supporting the private development of a performing/visual arts and event space as an entertainment venue and community resource.

Objective 5. Complement the City’s identity by supporting and encouraging public art throughout the City’s public spaces.

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TRANSPORTATION

GOAL 6: CREATE A CITYWIDE MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK.

Objective 1. Provide alternative ways to make local trips within the City.

Strategy: Complete missing sections of sidewalks throughout the City.

Strategy: Where feasible, develop a complete street grid system to create alternate ways to travel around major intersections and through existing shopping centers to improve vehicular safety and traffic flow.

Strategy: Encourage residential subdivisions to identify locations where multi-use path connections can be made to encourage bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Strategy: Provide a system of multi-use trails located along arterial, collector and local roadways to connect residential subdivisions to community destinations (schools, libraries, shopping, parks and religious institutions) to minimize the need to utilize adjacent roadways for short trips.

Strategy: Allow for the use of PTVs on all City roads posted with a 25 mile per hour or less speed limit.

Strategy: Allow for the use of bicycles on all City trails where appropriate.

Strategy: Where supported by residential neighborhoods, connect subdivisions to a public local street, collector, or arterial via a new street developed by the City to increase the number of ways in and out of residential subdivisions.

Strategy: Preserve existing public rights of way to ensure the development of future trails.

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VISION | 43

TRANSPORTATION

Objective 2. Create safe pedestrian and bike pathways.

Strategy: Where feasible, separate sidewalks and trails from vehicular lanes by landscaped medians.

Strategy: Reduce speed limits along arterial and connector roadways, where appropriate.

Strategy: Develop ways to separate pedestrian/bike/PTV traffic movements from vehicular traffic movements at the City’s main intersections.

Strategy: Improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety along major arterial and connector roadways by enhancing pedestrian crossings, providing pedestrian under/overpasses where necessary.

Objective 3. Improve traffic movements.

Strategy: Proactively manage and improve traffic signal timing and coordination on all major arterial and collector roadways.

Strategy: Where supported by the community, provide capacity improvements to arterial roadways.

Strategy: Where feasible, provide new roadways to enhance traffic movements.

Strategy: Where feasible, remove turning lane bump outs that restrict the flow of traffic in the turning lane.

Strategy: Where supported by existing subdivisions provide left turn lanes to allow residents easier access to collector and minor arterial roadways.

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TRANSPORTATION

Strategy: Where supported by existing subdivisions, provide roundabouts to allow residents easier access to collector and minor arterial roadways.

Strategy: Where feasible, remove existing traffic signals and replace with appropriate-sized traffic roundabouts to improve safety and reduce wait times at lights.

Objective 4. Improve traffic safety.

Strategy: Maintain a traffic calming program that involves physical improvements designed to decrease traffic speed.

Strategy: Where feasible, separate pedestrian movements from vehicular movements at major intersections.

Strategy: Where feasible, reduce or eliminate left turns at intersections and create alternative methods or locations in which to turn left.

Strategy: Repair, replace or enhance older bridges to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.

Objective 5. Reduce personal vehicle trips to/from schools by improving alternative transportation options near public schools.

Strategy: Encourage greater levels of school bus ridership.

Strategy: Where supported by existing subdivisions, connect subdivisions with pathways to schools.

Strategy: Create new pathways through easements, buffers and landscape strips that offer students safe walking, biking and carting.

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LAND USE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

GOAL 7: ENSURE THE CITY HAS THE APPROPRIATE TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

Objective 1. Ensure the City’s existing ordinances and regulations that control land development are aligned with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

Strategy: Create a Unified Development Code by combining the City’s zoning, tree, and sign ordinances with the City’s stormwater and land development regulations.

Objective 2. Ensure new development and future redevelopment maintains each Community Area’s natural and physical character.

Strategy: Create site and architectural design standards for new development/redevelopment based on the updated Community Areas’ visions.

Strategy: Develop specific area plans or master plans for Community Areas that have been designated to have village centers.

Objective 3. Ensure safe and healthy living environments throughout the City through ongoing code compliance efforts.

GOAL 8: IMPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Objective 1. Encourage efforts with neighboring jurisdictions to proactively discuss planning activities that may impact adjacent jurisdictions that fall below the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Development of Regional Impact thresholds.

Objective 2. Encourage efforts with neighboring jurisdictions to develop and share solutions for addressing regional issues, such as growth management, watershed management and traffic congestion solutions.

Objective 3. Work with the Fulton County School District to increase bus ridership and use of sidewalks and trails in lieu of vehicles to transport students to and from schools. 33

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2008 CHARACTER AREAS

The City’s Character Areas were first introduced in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The residents decided on twelve Character Areas that they felt represented the different land uses within the City. The 2008 Comprehensive Plan prescribed a set of development goals for each Character Area, as well as appropriate zoning designations, land uses, densities, and intensities.

Out of the twelve Character Areas, eight were identified as prioritizing low-density, single-family housing development. Those areas were: Ocee, River East, Warsaw/Morton Road, River Estates, Newtown, Autrey Mill Pastoral, Shakerag, and Johns Creek North.

There were three Character Areas that prioritized commercial and mixed-use development: Jones Bridge Road at State Bridge Road, Medlock Bridge Road Corridor, and McGinnis Ferry Road Corridor.

Technology Park was the only area prioritizing a high density of offices and institutional uses, with special attention given to corporate offices as well as secondary uses, such as food and retail establishments to support office workers.

Map 22: 2008 Character Areas

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2018 COMMUNITY AREAS

During the Comprehensive Plan Update process, residents expressed a need to get more involved in planning for and caring about the City’s future, but believed that most residents would not get involved unless issues were “in their own backyard.” With that in mind, the Character Area map was revisited, and residents considered ways to define the City based not on the physical differences between areas (i.e. a commercial node or corridor versus a grouping of like residential subdivisions), but by where people lived and shopped – where they would feel that changes to the area would personally impact their quality of life.

Ultimately, instead of twelve Character Areas, eight Community Areas emerged. A few like Newtown, Autrey Mill, River Estates and Johns Creek North changed very little from the 2008 Character Areas. On the contrary, the Ocee Character Area grew to incorporate the Jones Bridge Road Area and subdivisions along Morton Road. The Warsaw Character Area and the River East Character Area combined with the area along Parsons Road and the part of the Medlock Bridge Corridor Character Area that previously bisected their community. The Technology Park Character Area was reunited with the western half of the commercial area, which was a part of the Medlock Bridge Road Corridor Character

Area. Lastly, the Shakerag Character Area was combined with the McGinnis Ferry Character Area, as the residents living in subdivisions along McGinnis Ferry, east of Technology Circle see themselves as living in the Shakerag community.

The long-term goal of creating eight Community Areas is to foster community involvement through the establishment

of eight Community Area Planning Committees that will actively care about their community’s issues, such as planning for new sidewalks, trails and parks, deciding on how to reduce traffic congestion or having a voice on rezoning cases.

More detailed analysis of each Community Area is available in Chapters 3-10.

Map 23: 2018 Community Areas

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48 | VISION

CITYWIDE LAND USE

Map 13: Current Land Use

Map 19: Current Land Use

Current Land UseSingle-family residential is the most prominent land use in Johns Creek, at 64.5% of total land. Only a small amount of land (2%) is being used for multi-family housing. Commercial Office and Commercial Retail account for 6.4% of total land. Recreational uses consume 14% of City land. Institutional uses and utilities make up 5.2% and 1.9%, respectively. Currently, there are no mixed-use structures in the City.

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VISION | 49

CITYWIDE LAND USE

Map 20: Future Land Use

Future Land Use The future land use map is a planning instrument designed to guide the future development and distribution of land uses within the City in a manner that is consistent with the vision, goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Compared to the current land use, 93.2% of future land use will match current land use.

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50 | VISION

CITYWIDE LAND USE

Color Land Use Residential Density per Acre

Maximum Height

Types of Uses Permitted

Residential - 1 unit or less 1 3 stories/40 feet Single-Family Dwelling Unit: Detached

Residential - 2 units or less 2 3 stories/40 feet Single-Family Dwelling Unit: Detached

Residential - 3 units or less 3 3 stories/40 feet Single-Family Dwelling Unit: Detached

Residential - 4 units or less 4 3 stories/40 feet Single-Family Dwelling Unit: Detached

Residential - 5 units or more >5 5 stories/60 feet Single-Family Dwelling Unit: Detached

Commercial - Multi-Family 12 4 stories/60 feet Property containing housing units with more than 4 dwelling units/building (i.e. townhomes, apartments, condos, 4-plexes, live-work lofts, etc.)

Commercial - Office N/A 4 stories/60 feet Privately-owned property used primarily for office, health care, hotels, light assembly, with supporting uses

Commercial - Retail / Shopping Centers

N/A 3 stories/40 feet Neighborhood and community-oriented retail and service activities including local business offices, grocery stores, restaurants

Mixed-Use Low-Intensity

8 3 stories/40 feet A planned development with a mix of residential, commercial retail and office uses that includes public park space. Residential uses include single family detached, duplex, triplex, townhouses, condos, stacked flats and live-work units. Garden style apartments are not permitted

Mixed-Use High-Intensity

16 5 stories/75 feet A planned development with a mix of residential, commercial retail and office uses that includes public park space. Entertainment uses are encouraged. Residential uses include single family detached, duplex, triplex, townhouses, condos, stacked flats and live-work units. Garden style apartments are not permitted

Schools, Religious, Municipal

N/A 4 stories/60 feet Publicly- or privately-owned lands used for schools, libraries, places of worship, city hall, municipal court, fire stations, etc.

Utilities N/A N/A Publicly- or privately-owned lands used for utility purposes such as water treatment, reservoirs, radio towers

Recreational - Public N/A 3 stories/40 feet Publicly-owned neighborhood and community parks, community centers and open space

Recreational - Private N/A 3 stories/40 feet Privately-owned golf, tennis, swim and country club facilities

Agricultural 1 3 stories/40 feet Agricultural

Undeveloped N/A N/A Undeveloped land

Table 3: Land Use Categories

Land Use CategoriesLand use categories provide general guidance on the intensity, character, and location of land uses. To ensure land use categories are applied consistently across the City, this Comprehensive Plan establishes 16 land use categories listed in the table below.

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VISION | 51

CITYWIDE LAND USE

Map 21: Land Use Change

each of the Community Areas in Chapters 3-10.

Land Use ChangeOne major change proposed in the Comprehensive Plan is the reduction of residential densities in Johns Creek North, Medlock, and Shakerag. Besides these changes, 93.2% of future land use will match current land use. Johns Creek has the capacity for 5,431 additional residential units, although full build-out is unlikely to occur in the next 10 years, if ever. More detailed analysis will be available for

39

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK CODE OF

ORDINANCES APPENDIX A – ZONING TO IMPROVE CONSISTENCY WITH THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

WHEREAS, the City of Johns Creek is subject to the State of Georgia Planning Act of 1989 which calls for a certified Comprehensive Plan in order to obtain and maintain the status of a Qualified Local Government; and

WHEREAS, the City adopted its first Comprehensive Plan on November 10, 2008 that met the requirements of State law; and

WHEREAS, State law requires the City to update its Comprehensive Plan at least every ten years; and

WHEREAS, following a thorough community involvement process, review by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Department of Community Affairs, on October 8, 2018 the City adopted the updated Comprehensive Plan; and

WHEREAS, the City recognizes the Code of Ordinances Appendix A – Zoning (the Zoning Ordinance) should be updated to align with and implement the updated Comprehensive Plan.

NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor and Council of the City of Johns Creek hereby ordains that Appendix A – Zoning is amended to read as follows:

Section 3-3 – Definitions.

3.3.12. L.

Live-work unit. A structure or portion of a structure that combines a commercial activity allowed in the zoning district with a residential living space occupied by the commercial business owner and/or one or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly authorized custodial relationship.

3.3.13. M

Multi-use path. A pathway with a minimum width of 10 feet, for use by pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized users.

3.3.15. O

Open space. A portion of a site consisting of either natural features worthy of preservation, which may be left unimproved or buildable land, which is permanently set aside and improved for public or private recreational areas. Active recreational areas may include tennis courts, swimming pools, splash pad, playgrounds, community gardens, and clubhouses. Passive recreational areas may include trails, picnic and fire pit areas, and community greens such as passive and/or active recreational uses. Detention facilities, required buffers, landscaped strips, and platted residential lots shall not be included in open space calculations.

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Section 4.4 – Large Scale Retail/Service Commercial Structures and Developments 75,000 Square Feet or Greater.

4.4.1. Purpose and Intent. "Large-scale retail/service commercial" refers to any individualretail and/or service commercial development in all zoning districts establishment with gross floor area that is of 75,000 square feet or greater. This size threshold refers to an individual establishment and its associated areas used for display and storage.

The purpose of establishing requirements for large-scale retail/service commercialestablishments is to apply design standards and additional conditions to large developments proposed in the City of Johns Creek in order to ensure the development of appropriate, functional, well-planned, aesthetically pleasing retail/service commercial developments that stimulate economic and social growth, are integrated with surrounding areas, positively contribute to the changing community character, with facilities that have functional reuse potential in the future.

As such, these regulations intend to promote high quality materials and design, promote pedestrian-friendly environments, encourage infrastructure concurrency, encourage responsible storm-water management practices, and promote environmental planning policies.

The regulations are to be used in conjunction with the development criteria of the City of Johns Creek Zoning Ordinance and all other adopted development standards and criteria, including overlay district standards. If any provision of this article is in conflict with any other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, the Development Regulations, or the Tree Ordinance, the provision of this article shall control.

4.4.2. Number, Size and Location Criteria. Large scale retail/service commercialestablishments or developments cannot be accessed solely via collector or local roads, as defined by the City of Johns Creek guidelines and depicted on the Georgia DOT Road Functional Classification maps. They are solely permitted on sites with at least one frontage on an arterial road. However, the Director may waive the road classification criteria if the developer can demonstrate that the proposed road improvements, with identified funding sources, will accommodate projected traffic volume to be generated by the proposed development to the degree that the current LOS or better is maintained for the affected road segment.

No more than four large scale retail/service commercial establishments, as defined in this ordinance, are allowed in a single development. Developments may include additional smaller retail structures as part of the overall development; however the number of retail/service commercial establishments 75,000 square feet or larger is limited to four, and such developments are subject to the regulations outlined in this ordinance.

Developments are encouraged to create a cluster effect in order to achieve a village and/or town center effect with the inclusion of plazas, village greens or other common open space for gathering and events. The ordinance promotes an appropriate mix of large and small scale retail/service commercial with smaller retail/service commercial buildings located

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closer to streets in order to reduce the visual scale of the development, encourage pedestrian traffic, and promote the use of architectural details.

The ordinance also recognizes the varied types of developments in the City of Johns Creek and promotes the use of screening and buffers in areas with a more rural aesthetic.

4.4.3. Site Design Guidelines and Requirements.

A. General Site Guidelines.

1. To the extent feasible, on-site creeks should be integrated into the site as amenities.

2. New construction shall conform to the existing topography as much as possible subject to approval by the Director of the Department of Community Development.

3. Buildings shall not be built on existing slopes greater than 33%. This condition may be amended as approved by the Director.

4. Where retaining walls are required, and where a retaining wall is visible from public right-of-way, public parking areas, and residentially zoned and/or used propertiesthey must be faced with stone, brick or decorative concrete modular block. Use of landscape timber as exterior treatment in retaining walls is prohibited. Retaining walls above 5 feet shall have evergreen plantings in front or as approved by the Director.

5. Detention facilities are encouraged to be designed pursuant to the Alternative Design Standards described in the the City of Johns Creek 2003 Subdivision Stormwater Regulations.

6. To the greatest extent practicable, design of a traditional detention facility shall follow the natural landforms around the perimeter of the basin.

B. Open Spaces.

1. A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the site shall be landscaped common open space.

2. Each retail development shall contribute to the establishment or enhancement of the community and public spaces by providing at least two One open space amenityiessuch as a patio/seating area, water feature, clock tower, and or a pedestrian plazas or benches shall be provided for every 25,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area of a retail/service commercial establishment. Such features shall be constructed of materials that are the same or similar to those used for the principal buildings and landscape.

3. Square footage of community areas can be counted towards the minimum open space requirement.

C. Screening and Fencing. 1. Landscaping and fencing materials should be used to minimize visual and noise

impact of parking, loading areas and accessory site features. 42

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2. All loading areas shall be located to the rear or side of the building. Location should be restricted, however, to whichever location does not abut a residentially zoned property, if applicable. Loading areas shall be screened from view of any public street by a 5-foot berm, a continuous row of evergreen hedges 5 foot in height at the time of planting, or architectural treatment.

3. Refuse areas and receptacles shall be placed in the least visible location from public streets and shall be enclosed on 3 sides with opaque walls. The 4th side shall be a self-closing gate with an architectural finish. Opaque walls shall be a minimum of twelve inches higher than the receptacle. Wall materials shall be noncombustible brick, stone, or split-faced concrete masonry.

4. Accessory site features, as defined in each zoning district of the Zoning Ordinance, shall be placed in the least visible location from public streets, and shall be screened from view of any right-of-way and/or any property zoned, used, or developed for residential uses, including the AG-1 zoning district, by one of the following means:

(1) Placement behind the building;

(2) 100% opaque fencing which must be constructed of the same type of exterior material used for the building; or

(3) By a berm or vegetative screening. The screening shall consist of evergreen shrubs, be 3 ½ to 4 feet at time of planting, and reach a height of 6 feet within 2 years or planting.

5. Fencing materials along public streets and side yards are restricted to brick, stone, iron, decorative wrought iron, and treated wood, and or combinations of the above not resulting in an opaque fence.

6. Fences adjacent to a public street shall not exceed 55 inches from finished grade.

7. Chain link fencing, except as required along detention/retention ponds, is prohibited from public view. All chain link fencing shall be black vinyl clad.

8. Suburban Developments: All parking areas shall be screened from view of any public street by:

(1) A 25 foot-wide landscape strip planted to buffer standards; or

(2) A berm planted with a continuous hedge or evergreen shrubs. Plants shall be a minimum height of 3½ to 4 feet at time of planting, and such plants (or in the case of option 2 above, the berm and the planting combined) shall be capable of reaching a height of six feet within two years of planting.

D. Outdoor Storage and Display. 43

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1. Display or sale of goods outside the permanent portions of a building is prohibited. Garden centers, and other similar areas, with permanent walls/fencing on the outside are considered permanent structures. Exceptions: Seasonal holiday trees, pumpkins, and open air fairs, provided an administrative permit is obtained, pursuant to Article 19.

2. Vending machines, paper stands and other similar devices must be located interior to the building structure.

E. Buffer Standards.

1. Suburban Developments:

1. b. A minimum 100-foot wide natural, undisturbed buffer with a 10-foot improvement setback shall be provided along any interior property line adjacent to a residential zoning and/or use. This buffer shall be augmented with plantings if it does not achieve the intended visual screening.

2. c. To ensure that a visual buffer is achieved (for developments adjacent to a residential zoning and/or use), the City of Johns Creek may require the installation of a four-foot high earthen berm with plantings per the City of Johns Creek Buffer Standards. The City of Johns Creek Arborist will make the determination of a berm requirement based upon a review of the Landscape Plan and existing topography and vegetation.

3. d. A minimum 15-foot wide landscape strip shall be provided along any interior property line adjacent to a nonresidential zoning and/or use.

2. Infill/Urban Developments: a. Developments are encouraged to place small retail storefronts on the public

street. b. If buildings do not front a public street, all properties shall provide a minimum

15 foot-wide landscape strip along all public streets. The fifteen (15) foot-wide strip shall be planted with minimum 2" caliper hardwood over-story trees every 30' feet.

c. A minimum 10-foot wide landscape strip shall be provided along any interior property line adjacent to a nonresidential zoning and/or use. This provision does not apply to individual lots within an overall development.

d. A minimum 25-foot wide natural, undisturbed buffer with a 10-foot improvement setback shall be provided along any interior property line adjacent to a residential zoning and/or use. This buffer shall be augmented with plantings if it does not achieve the intended visual screening.

F. Landscaping.

1. Specimen trees should be preserved to the extent possible.

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2. Large overstory street trees in the landscape strips shall be planted in asymmetrical groupings at a minimum density of one tree per 30 feet of street frontage.

3. Street trees shall be a minimum of 2" caliper.

4. Street trees shall be selected from the list provided in Appendix E of the the City of Johns Creek Tree Preservation Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines or as may be approved by the the City of Johns Creek Arborist.

5. Street trees may be counted towards the required tree density for a site as approved by the the City of Johns Creek Arborist.

G. Parking Lot Landscaping Islands.

1. Parking lot landscaping shall follow the standards within the the City of Johns Creek Zoning Ordinance.

H. Landscape Installation and Maintenance.

1. Landscaping must be installed, or a landscape installation guaranty must be provided prior to the release of Certificate of Occupancy (CO), unless appropriate provisions are made to guarantee the installation of landscaping after such certificate is issued, such as approval by the Department of a bond for landscaping. The guaranty shall be stamped and signed by a registered landscape architect certifying that landscaping meets the standards of the the City of Johns Creek Tree Ordinance. Landscape plantings must be replaced if damaged or dead.

I. Sidewalks and Pedestrian Circulation.

1. Sidewalks or pedestrianmulti-use paths are required along all public and private road frontages and may meander around existing trees subject to the approval of the City of Johns Creek Arborist.

2. PedestrianMulti-use paths may be installed instead of sidewalks as approved by the Community Development Director.

3. Sidewalks shall be a minimum width of five feet.

4. PedestrianMulti-use paths shall be a minimum of 5 10 feet wide. They shall be and made out of a hard surface material such as concrete, brick or pavers. Paths may be gravel or gravel dust as approved by the Community Development Director.

5. Sidewalks for all new projects should connect with existing walks, where applicable.

6. Pedestrian access should be provided to all entrances including access from rear parking areas.

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7. Inter-parcel connectivity shall be required for multi-use, pedestrian paths and sidewalks.

8. All internal pedestrian walkways shall be distinguished from driving surfaces through the use of color and durable, low maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks, or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways.

J. Parking.

1. Parking lots should be distributed around large buildings along not less than two facades (front, rear or sides) in order to shorten the distance to other buildings and public sidewalks.

2. A minimum of 50% of the required surface parking for out-parcels shall be located at the rear of the out-parcel building, interior to the overall development or facing the large retail/service commercial parking lot.

3. No parking or loading area shall be used for the sale, repair, dismantling or servicing or storing of any vehicle, equipment, materials or supplies.

4. All developments must provide space for parking bicycles. This area may be within the parking lot or courtyard. A bike rack, permanently attached to the ground accommodating a bicycle lock or chain.

5. Suburban Developments: Where feasible, no more than fifty (50) percent of the off-street parking area for the lot, tract or area of land devoted to the large retail/service commercial establishment should be located along the property fronting a public road and between the front facade and the road.

6. Urban Developments: On-street parking is allowed subject to the approval of the Director.

K. Architectural Standards.

1. The design and lay- out of a development should build upon and complement the design of the surrounding community. The size, orientation, setback and scale of buildings are integral elements of communities. A building's orientation and placement should complement and relate to adjacent buildings, structures and properties.

2. The location of a building should take into consideration its surrounding and take advantage of opportunities to maintain open views and spaces. Buildings should be in proportion, in scale and characteristic to their natural setting. The building design and material should contribute to the style and surrounding areas. Building design that is based on a standardized formula associated with a business or franchise shall be modified to meet the provisions of this section.

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3. Buildings shall include architecture elements such as columns, arcades, covered entry-walkways, arches, facade offsets, windows, balconies, recesses/projections, clock towers, cupolas and/or courtyards.

L. Orientation. 1. All buildings shall be oriented to a public street. An entrance to a building should be located on the side of the building facing a public street. 2. Small retail stores as part of an overall development should be oriented to a public street; with the larger retail buildings in the rear. 4. 3. Principal buildings should have articulated building entryways with greater architectural details, to include a minimum of two of the following elements:

a. Decorative columns or posts b. Pediments c. Arches d. Brackets e. Transoms over doorways f. Sidelights g. Porticos

L. M. Height. 1. There shall be a maximum height limit of two stories with the maximum height 60 feet from average-finished grade to the bottom of the roof eave. The maximum height shall be governed by the zoning district requirements.

2. Urban/Infill Developments: Three story buildings with a height limit of 50 feet from average-finished grade to the bottom of the roof eave are permitted.

M. N. Scale.

1. For every one hundred feet of building length on a single face, visible from the public street, there shall be variation in the exterior. This exterior variation shall be accomplished through the following means:

a. For each one hundred feet of building exterior wall, the building exterior and roof shall be offset.

b. For each one hundred feet of building exterior wall, there shall be a change in details, or patterns or materials.

N. O. Building Material.

1. The exterior wall materials of all buildings shall consist of a minimum of 60% (per vertical wall plane) of the following: brick, stone, stucco, EIFS, solid plank, cementitious plank, or horizontal clapboard siding.

2. Accent wall materials on buildings shall consist of glass, architecturally treated concrete masonry, stone, EIFS, or stucco and shall not exceed 40% per vertical wall plane.

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3. Prohibited exterior building facade materials are: metal panel systems, precast, smooth concrete masonry or plain, reinforced concrete slabs, aluminum or vinyl siding, plywood, mirrored glass, press-wood or corrugated steel (exceptions: mechanical penthouses & roof screens).

4. To the extent any rear or side of any building is adjacent to a public street or single-family residence, architectural treatment shall continue through the rear or side.

O. P. Colors.

1. Permitted colors for exterior walls, building components, sign structures, accent and decorative elements shall be as specified by the permitted colors listed in Section 12E.3.D.

2. If large scale retail establishment or development is not located in an overlay district, aAll aspects of a development should use colors common in the area and in nature. Earth-toned, subtle and muted colors provide for a development that incorporates sensitivity to its natural surroundings. High intensity colors shall be avoided.

P. Q. Roof.

1. Permissible roofs types are flat, gable, pyramidal, and hip. Shed roofs are permitted over porches, additions, and accessory structures.

2. Roof pitches shall be in the range of 4 over 12 to 12 over 12.

3. Roof pitch material shall be made out of the following materials: asphalt shingle, wood shingle, wood shake, standing seam metal, or materials designed to give the appearance of the above mentioned materials.

4. A decorative parapet or cornice shall be constructed along all roof lines with a lower pitch than specified in above.

5. Flat roofs and roof-mounted equipment shall be screened from the view of public and private streets by a parapet. No parapet shall be required to be greater than 4 feet above roof.

Q. R. Additional Requirements.

1. Burglar bars, steel gates, and steel-roll down curtains are prohibited on the exterior and interior of the structure except at the structure's rear. Steel roll down curtains may be located in other areas if not visible from the front of a building or from a public street.

2. Neon lights outlining and/or detailing building features are prohibited.

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3. Where additional stores will be located in a large retail/service commercialestablishment, each such store that is 5,000 square feet and greater shall have at least one (1) exterior customer entrance, which shall conform to the above requirements.

4.4.4. Adaptive Reuse of Properties and Store Closure. If an establishment remains empty for a period of 12 consecutive months the owner and/or lessee must work with Community Development Fulton County Economic Development Department to create a plan for the removal or adaptive re-use of the principal structure.

4.4.5. Vacancy Maintenance Requirements.

1. Owner shall provide security patrols on the site to deter vandalism or other illegal activities on the property.

2. Retail/service commercial establishments that have been closed should be maintained at the standard of the occupied store, prior to store closure, this includes all parking lot surfaces and landscaping.

3. Building fenestration, including doors and windows cannot be boarded up.

4.9.5. Special Uses. All lighting not directly associated with the special use areas designated below shall conform to the lighting standards described in this ordinance.

A. Outdoor Sports, Recreation Fields, or Performance Areas. Lighting of outdoor recreational facilities (public or private), such as, but not limited to, outdoor athletic fields, courts, tracks, special event or show areas shall meet the following requirements:

1. Facilities designed for municipal leagues, elementary to high school levels of play and training fields for recreational or social levels of play, college play, semi-professional, professional or national levels of play shall utilize luminaries with minimal up-light consistent with the illumination constraints of the design. Where fully shielded fixtures are not utilized, acceptable luminaries shall include those which:

a. Are provided with internal and/or external glare control louvers or lenses, and are installed so as to minimize up-light and offsite light trespass and glare; and

b. Are installed and maintained so as to avoid aiming no more than 2.5 times the mounting height.

2. Illuminance. All lighting installations shall be designed to achieve the illuminance levels for the activity as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA RP-6).

3. Off-Site Spill. The installation shall also limit off-site spill (off the parcel containing the sports facility) to the maximum extent possible consistent with the

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illumination constraints of the design. For all recreational or social levels of play and training fields, as well as, performance areas, illumination levels shall not exceed 1.5 foot-candles at any location along any non-residential property line, and 0.5 foot-candles at any location along any residential property line.

4. Curfew. All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity no later than 10:30 p.m. Illumination of the playing field, court or track shall be permitted after the curfew only to conclude a scheduled event that was unable to conclude before the curfew due to unusual circumstances. Field lighting for these facilities shall be turned off within 30 minutes after the last event of the night.

5. Setback. All light poles shall be set back the greater of fifty feet or one foot for every foot in height from any residential property line or right-of-way.

6. This Section 4.9.5 shall not be construed to overrule any standards established in any Overlay Improvement District or as established in Section 19.4.

Sec. 8.1. - O-I Office Institutional District.

8.1.1. O-I District Scope and Intent. Regulations in this Section are the O-I District regulations. Article XIX should be consulted to determine uses and minimum standards for uses allowed by Administrative Permit or Use Permit. The O-I District is intended to provide land areas for office and institutional uses where proximity to residential, public, commercial and other land uses, and existing and projected traffic patterns make it desirable to locate office and institutional uses.

8.1.2. Use Regulations. Within the O-I District, land and structures shall be used in accordance with standards herein. Any use not specifically designated as a permitted use in this section or as a use allowed by Administrative Permit or Use Permit shall be prohibited.

A. Permitted Uses. Structures and land may be used for the following purposes:

1. Single family dwellings

2. Two-family dwellings

3. Rooming house and Boarding house

1. Art Galleries

2. Assembly Halls

3. Churches, Temples or Other Places of Worship

4. Clinics

5. Community Center Buildings

6. Convalescent Centers/Nursing Homes/Hospices

7. Dancing Schools

8. Day Care Facilities

9. Financial Establishments

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11. Group Residences

12. Gymnasiums

13. Health Clubs/Spas

14. Hospitals

15. Hotels

16. Institutions of Higher Learning, Business Colleges, Music Conservatories, and Similar Institutions

17. Libraries

18. Motels

19. Museums

20. Offices

21. Parking Garages /Decks

22. Parking Lots

23. Personal Care Homes

24. Recording Studios

25. Research Laboratories

26. Stadiums

27. Thrift Institutions

B. Accessory Uses. Structures and land may be used for uses customarily incidental to any permitted use and a dwelling may be used for a home occupation. No more than 25 percent of the total floor area of a building may be devoted to storage.

1. Accessory retail and service uses shall be located within a building with a majority of the floor area designed for office uses. Accessory uses shall be located wholly within the principal buildings with no outdoor advertising except that a car wash, detail shop or service station may be located inside a parking garage as long as such uses are not visible from the exterior of the parking garage.

2. Retail and service uses permitted shall be limited to employee convenience, business oriented retail, and service establishments such as computer hardware and software companies, commercial art, drafting, travel agencies, office equipment and supply stores, reproduction services, stenographic services, typing services, messenger services, delivery services, telecommunications sales and teleconferencing centers, personnel services and training centers, florists, gift shops, tailor shops, radio and television repair shops, shoe repair shops and barber or beauty shops. Restaurants are accessory whenever office and institutional floor area is at least 100,000 square feet. Fast food restaurants shall be limited to no more than 10 percent of the total floor area devoted to retail and service business uses, and shall not occupy more than 10 percent of any floor in a building. A drug store is accessory, provided only drugs, prescription medicines, medicinal supplies and pharmaceutical products shall be sold. 51

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8.1.3. Development Standards.

A. Height Regulations: Buildings shall be no higher than 60 feet or 4 stories, whichever is higher, except when a Use Permit to exceed the maximum height is approved.

B. Minimum Front Yard: 40 feet

C. Minimum Side Yard:

40 feet adjacent to street

20 feet interior

D. Minimum Rear Yard: 25 feet

E. Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling:

Single family: 18,000 square feet

Two-family: 18,000 square feet

F. Minimum Lot Width: 100 feet for residential use only

E. Minimum O-I Lot Frontage:

100 feet adjoining a street

35 feet adjoining a street for residential uses

G. Minimum Heated Floor Area:

Single family: 1,100 square feet

Two-Family: 800 square feet

H. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements:

Single family and Two-family Uses: Accessory structures may be located in the rear or side yards only but shall not be located within a minimum yard.

Multi-family Use: Accessory structures shall not be located in the minimum front yard.

F. Maximum Lot Coverage: The area of the footprint of all buildings and parking shall not exceed 70 percent of the total land area.

8.1.4. Other Regulations. All other applicable regulations must be satisfied prior to development under this zoning district.

Sec. 8.2. - MIX Mixed Use District.

8.2.1. MIX District Scope and Intent. Regulations in this Section are the MIX District regulations. Article XIX should be consulted to determine uses and minimum standards for uses allowed by Administrative Permit or Use Permit. The MIX District is encouraged in areas designated as Mixed-Use Low-Intensity and Mixed-Use High-Intensity in the Comprehensive Plan for development.

The MIX District is intended to encourage flexible, innovative and creative concepts in site planning and efficient use of land and to provide a stable multiple use environment compatible with surrounding uses. The MIX District is particularly encouraged in areas 52

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designed by the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map as suitable for commercial (including retail, service commercial and office) uses and in Living-Working corridors:

1. Create a planned village environment with a balanced mix of residential, commercial, office, recreational and institutional uses, whether horizontally, vertically or both;

2. Arrange land uses to be in close physical proximity, create functional relationships among individual uses, and link these uses with sidewalks or multi-use paths to create a pedestrian-friendly, walkable community;

3. Provide well-defined focal point(s) that create common open space for the community to congregate and participate in neighborhood activities;

4. Promote optimal land planning with greater efficiency through the use of economies of scale, saving in energy, innovative stormwater management techniques, and provision of public facilities and infrastructure beyond the scopes of single-purpose projects;

5. Reduce surface parking and promote shared and structured parking;

6. Encourage high-quality architectural design to achieve excellence in physical, social, and economic planning; and

7. Permit a flexible response to the market and promote economic vitality and investment.

8.2.2. Use Regulations. The MIX District shall provide mandates a residential component of single-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, townhouses, multifamily dwellings or any combination thereof along with at least two of the following: residential,commercial, office or institutional uses.

Within the MIX District, land and structures shall be used in accordance with standards herein. Any use not specifically designated as a permitted use in this section or as a use allowed by Administrative Permit or Use Permit shall be prohibited.

A. Permitted Uses. Structures and land may be used for the following purposes:

1. Single-family dwellings

2. Duplexes

3. Triplexes

4. Quadruplexes

5. Townhouses

6. Multifamily dwellings

7. Rooming houses and Boarding houses

8. Senior housing

9. Live-work units

10. Amusements, Indoor

11. Art Galleries

12. Assembly Halls

13. Car Washes, detail shops and/or service stations located inside a parking garage as long as such uses are not visible from the exterior of the parking garage.

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Convalescent Centers/Nursing Homes/Hospices

13. Churches, Temples or Other Places of Worship

14. Clinics

15. Clinics, Veterinary

16. Community Center Buildings

17. Dancing Schools

18. Day Care Centers

19. Financial Establishments

20. Funeral Homes

21. Group Residence

22. Gymnasiums

23. Health Clubs/Spas

24. Hospitals

25. Hotels

26. Institutions of Higher Learning including Business Colleges, Music Conservatories, and Similar Institutions.

27. Libraries

28. Museums

29. Offices

30. Parking Garages/Decks

31. Parking Lots

32. Personal Care Homes

33. Recording Studios

34. Research Laboratories

35. Retail and/or Service Establishments

36. Restaurants and/or Fast Food Restaurants

37. Stadiums

38. Theaters

B. Accessory Uses. Structures and land may be used for uses customarily incidental to any permitted use and a dwelling may be used for a home occupation. No more than 25 percent of the total floor area of a building may be devoted to storage.

8.2.3. Development Standards.

A. Maximum Residential Area: Residential use area in the MIX District shall not exceed 75%. Land use calculation shall utilize gross floor area for vertical mix of uses, and land area for horizontal mix of uses. 54

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B. Height Regulations: Structures shall be no higher than 60 feet, except with a Use Permit to exceed the maximum height. However, structures located in areas designated as Mixed-Use High-Intensity in the Comprehensive Plan shall be no higher than 75 feet.

C. Minimum Development Front Yard: As specified in conditions

D. Minimum Development Side Yards: As specified in conditions

E. Minimum Development Rear Yard: As specified in conditions

F. Minimum Development Frontage: 35 feet

G. Minimum Internal Setbacks, Separations, Landscaping and Buffering Between Uses: As specified in conditions

H. Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit for Single-Family or Duplex: As specified in conditions

I. Minimum Lot Frontage for Single-Family or Duplex: 20 feet adjoining a street

J. Minimum Lot Width for Single-Family or Duplex: None, unless specified in conditions

K. Minimum Interior Setbacks for Single-family or Duplex:

1. Minimum Front Yard: As specified in conditions

2. Minimum Side Yard: As specified in conditions

3. Minimum Rear Yard: As specified in conditions

L. Minimum Building Separations: All building separations shall be as specified by the Standard Building Code.

M.Minimum Heated Floor Area Per Dwelling Unit: As specified in conditions

N. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements:

Single-family, duplex and townhouse accessory structures may be located in the rear or side yards only but shall not be located within a minimum yard.

Multifamily accessory structures shall not be located in the minimum front yard.

Minimum Common Outdoor Area: Twenty percent (20%) of the total site area shall be common outdoor area and shall be maintained by the property owner(s).

O. Pedestrian Connectivity: All components are required to be interconnected with pedestrian paths sidewalks or multi-use paths constructed of either colored/textured materials or conventional sidewalk materials and clearly identified. Block lengths in non-residential areas shall be conducive to pedestrians.

P. Parking: Subject to the approval of the Director of Community Development, off-street parking as required by Article 18 may be reduced and shared parking among uses may be permitted.

Q. Maximum Impervious Area: 75% for the entire MIX development.

R. Development Phasing: In order to ensure the intent of the MIX District is met and thatmixed-use development occurs, submission of a Land Disturbance Permit application must include all approved uses by the Mayor and City Council. Should the property owner desire to phase the MIX development, a phasing strategy shall be established. The 55

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Community Development Director may link the issuance of permits and/or certificates of occupancy for a portion of the development with the completion of other portions of the development.

8.2.4. Other regulations. All other applicable regulations must be satisfied prior to development under this zoning district.

Sec. 9.1. - C-1 Community Business District.

9.1.1. C-1 District Scope and Intent. Regulations set forth in this Section are the C-1 District regulations. Article XIX should be consulted to determine uses and minimum standards for uses allowed by Administrative Permits or Use Permits. The C-1 District is intended to provide locations in which neighborhood and community-oriented retail and service activities conclude a transition, or land areas which complement a transition into a more intense activity area. Complementary non-commercial uses are also permitted.

9.1.2. Use Regulations. Within the C-1 District, land and structures shall be used in accordance with standards herein. Any use not specifically designated as permitted shall be prohibited.

A. Permitted Uses. Structures and land may be used for only the following purposes:

1. Amusements, Indoor

2. Apartments, above or behind commercial and office uses in the same building

2. Art Galleries

3. Assembly Halls

4. Automotive Parking Lots

5. Automotive Specialty Shops

6. Catering, Carry-out and Delivery

7. Church, Temple or Other Place of Worship

8. Clinics

9. Convalescent Center/Nursing/Hospice

10. Day Care Facilities

11. Delicatessens

12. Financial Establishments

13. Funeral Homes

14. Garage, Automobile Repair except painting, body repair and overhaul of major components

15. Group Residences

16. Gymnasiums

17. Hotels

18. Health Club/Spa

19. Laundromats

20. Landscaping Business, Garden Center 56

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21. Laundry and Dry Cleaning Shops

22. Lawn Service Businesses

23. Libraries

24. Communication Services

25. Millinery or Similar Trade whenever products are sold retail, exclusively on the site where produced.

26. Motels

27. Museums

28. Offices

29. Parking Garages/Decks

30. Parking Lots

31. Personal Care Homes

32. Personal Services including barber, beauty

33. Pet Grooming (No overnight stay)

34. Photography Studios

35. Plant Nurseries

36. Printing Shops, Convenience

37. Repair Shops not involving any manufacturing on the site

38. Research Laboratories

39. Restaurants

40. Retail Stores or Shops

41. School of Business, Dance, Music or similar schools

42. Service Stations except that repair and service offerings shall not include painting, body repair nor overhaul of major components, and no portion of the site shall be used for the display of cars for sale.

43. Stadiums

44. Theaters

45. Recycling Centers, Collecting

B. Accessory Uses. Structures and land may be used for uses customarily incidental to any permitted use and a dwelling may be used for a home occupation. Automobile and/or moving truck rental may be used in accessory only to an associated permitted use. Not more than 45 percent of the floor area of a building or land may be devoted to storage incidental to primary uses.

9.1.3. Development Standards.

A. Height Regulations: No structure shall exceed the higher of 4 stories or sixty 60 feet in height except as approved pursuant to Article XIX. 57

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B. Minimum Front Yard: 40 feet

C. Minimum Side Yard:

None for all other buildings adjacent to interior lot lines. See 4.23 for buffer and landscape requirements.

40 feet for all buildings adjacent to streets

D. Minimum Rear Yard: None

25 feet for dwellings adjacent to interior lot lines.

None for all other buildings. See Section 4.23 for buffer and landscape requirements.

E. Minimum Lot Area: None

Multi-family Dwellings including a unit above or behind a commercial use: 2,500 square feet

Single-family: 18,000 square feet.

Two-family: 18,000 square feet

All other buildings: no minimum

F. Minimum Heated Floor Area Per Unit:

Single-family: 1,100 square feet

Two-family: 800 square feet

Multi-family: 700 square feet

Efficiency: 450 square feet

G. Minimum Lot Frontage: 35 feet adjoining a street

H. Single-Family and Two-Family Uses: Accessory structures may be located in the rear yard only but shall not be located within a minimum yard.

I. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements: Accessory structures shall not be located in the minimum front yard.

9.1.4. Other Regulations. All other applicable regulations must be satisfied prior to development under this zoning district.

Sec. 9.2. - C-2 Community Business District.

9.2.1. C-2 District Scope and Intent. Regulations set forth in this Section are the C-2 District regulations. Article XIX should be consulted to determine uses and minimum standards for uses allowed by Administrative Permits or Use Permits. The C-2 District is intended to provide locations in which community and regionally-oriented retail and service activities conclude a transition, or locations which complement a transition into a more intense activity area. Complementary non-commercial uses are also permitted.

9.2.2. Use Regulations. Within the C-2 District, land and structures shall be used in accordance with standards herein. Any use not specifically designated as permitted shall be prohibited.

A. Permitted Uses. Structures and land may be used for only the following purposes: 58

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1. Any Use Permitted in the C-1 District

2. Automotive Garage

3. Automotive Repair Garage

4. Automobile & Light Truck Sales/Leasing

5. Batting Cage, Outdoor

6. Bowling Alley

7. Car Wash

8. Check Cashing Establishment

9. Drive-in Theater

10. Garage, Automobile Repair

11. Landscaping Business

12. Lawn Service Business

13. Laundry and/or Dry Cleaning Plant Distribution Center. Not including processing, fabrication or manufacturing.

14. Pawn Shop

15. Plant Nursery

16. Plumbing Shop associated with retail sales

17. Radio and Television Stations

18. Service Establishments

19. Skating Rink

20. Tinsmithing Shop associated with retail sales

B. Accessory Uses. Structures and land may be used for uses customarily incidental to any permitted use and dwellings may be used for a home occupation.

9.2.3. Development Standards.

A. Height Regulations: No structure shall exceed the higher of 4 stories or sixty 60 feet in height except as approved pursuant to Article XIX.

B. Minimum Front Yard: 40 feet

C. Minimum Side Yard:

25 feet for dwellings adjacent to interior lot lines.

None for all other buildings adjacent to interior lot lines. See 4.23 for buffer and landscape requirements.

40 feet for all buildings adjacent to streets

D. Minimum Rear Yard: None

25 feet for dwellings adjacent to interior lot lines.

None for all other buildings. See 4.23 for buffer and landscape requirements.59

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E. Minimum Lot Area: None

Multiple Dwellings including a unit above or behind a commercial use: 2,500 square feet

Single-family: 18,000 square feet

Two-family: 18,000 square feet

All other buildings: no minimum

F. Minimum Heated Floor Area:

Single-family: 1,100 square feet

Two-family: 800 square feet

Multi-family: 700 square feet

Efficiency: 450 square feet

F. Minimum Lot Frontage: 35 feet adjoining a street

G. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements:

H. Single-Family and Two-Family Uses: Accessory structures may be located in the rear yard only but shall not be located within a minimum yard.

Other Use: Accessory structures shall not be located in the minimum front yard.

9.2.4. Other Regulations. All other applicable regulations must be satisfied prior to development under this zoning district.

Sec. 11.1. - CUP Community Unit Plan District.

11.1.4. Development Standards.

A. Height Regulations: No single-family residential dwellings or accessory structures shall exceed 40 feet in height. The height of all other structures are as approved per the conditions of zoning

B. Minimum Land Area Per Unit: As specified in conditions

C. Minimum Lot Area Per Unit: As specified in conditions

D. Minimum CUP Size: 10 contiguous acres

E. Maximum Density:

Multi-family: 9.0 units per gross acre.

Single-family: 5.0 units per gross acre.

F. Minimum Lot Width: None, unless specified in conditions

G. Minimum CUP Development Frontage: 35 feet

H. Minimum Lot Frontage: 20 feet adjoining a street

I. Minimum Heated Floor Area Per Unit: As specified in conditions

J. Minimum Perimeter Setback—Entire CUP Development: As specified in conditions 60

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K. Minimum Interior Setbacks—Single-family Lots:

1. Minimum Front Yard: As specified in conditions

2. Minimum Side Yard: As specified in conditions

3. Minimum Rear Yard: As specified in conditions

L. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements:

Single-Family and Two-Family Uses: Accessory structures may be located within the side or rear yards subject to perimeter and minimum yard setbacks.

Multi-family Uses: Accessory structures may be located in the rear yard only but shall not be located within a minimum yard.

M.Minimum Building Separation—More Than One Dwelling Per Lot: All building separations shall be as specified by the Standard Building Code.

N. Other Minimum Standards:

1. Setbacks and roof lines shall be varied by at least 2 feet so that no more than 3 adjoining dwelling units within a single building shall have the same front setback or roof line.

2. Open Space consisting of not less than 550 SF per unit shall be provided for passive and/or recreational uses in all developments of 20 or more acres.

2. Land area proposed for common open space or recreation shall be allocated among the use areas in proportion to the ratio of a neighborhood population to the total CUP population so that acreage devoted to open space is reasonably accessible to all residents.

3. Multi-family uses shall not be located along the perimeter except adjacent to or across a street from an existing multifamily or more intense use.

4. Agreements, covenants, declarations and other contracts which govern the use, maintenance, and protection of a CUP development among its owners’ areas shall be part of the official zoning file, and changes thereto shall have no force and effect until a copy has been provided to the Director of the Community Development Department.

5. Multi-family units shall not exceed 25 percent of the total number of dwelling units in a CUP.

Sec. 11.2. - NUP Neighborhood Unit Plan District.

11.2.4. Development Standards.

A. Height Regulations: No building shall exceed 40 feet in height.

B. Minimum Lot Area Per Unit: 4,000 square feet

C. NUP Size:

Minimum 4 contiguous acres

Maximum 12 contiguous acres 61

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D. Maximum Density: 5 units per gross acre

E. Minimum Lot Width: None unless specified in conditions

F. Minimum Development Frontage: 35 feet

G. Minimum Lot Frontage: 20 feet adjoining a street

H. Minimum Heated Floor Area Per Unit: 1000 square feet detached

I. Minimum Perimeter Setback for the Entire NUP Development: When adjacent to single-family zoning/use or AG-1 zoned property, a 40-foot setback shall be provided around the periphery of the development including access drives serving more than one lot, principal and accessory structures and swimming pools. Other yard improvements and access/utility crossings are permitted.

J. Minimum Interior Setbacks:

1. Minimum Front Yard: As specified in conditions

2. Minimum Side Yard: As specified in conditions

3. Minimum Rear Yard: As specified in conditions

K. Minimum Interior Building Separations: To place a building along an interior side lot line at between zero and 7 feet shall require an encroachment and maintenance easement allowing a minimum of 7 feet of access to such buildings. A minimum building separation of 14 feet shall be maintained.

L. Minimum Accessory Structure Requirements: Accessory structures may be located in rear or side yards, but shall not be located within a minimum rear yard except that detached garages may locate along a rear lot line at between zero and 7 feet with an encroachment and maintenance easement allowing a minimum of 7 feet of access to the garage.

M. Open Space consisting of not less than 225 SF per unit shall be provided for passive and/or recreational uses in all developments of 8 or more acres.

Sec. 11.3. - MHP Mobile Home Park District.

11.3.7. Minimum Improvements Required.

A. Access, Streets, Drainage and Walks. Each mobile home park shall have a minimum of 2 primary access streets which shall be paved to a minimum width of 30 feet. Other streets within a mobile home park shall be paved to a minimum width of 24 feet.

B. Walkways. All-weather pedestrian walks shall be provided throughout a mobile home park.

C. Construction Standards. Streets and drainage structures shall be constructed in accordance with the minimum standards available from the City of Johns Creek Department of Public Works.

D. Underground Utilities Required. All utilities shall be placed underground. A central television antenna system shall be provided.

E. Lighting. Streets and walkways shall be lighted. 62

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F. Unit Refuse Collection Facilities. Each mobile home site shall be provided with water-tight and rodent proof refuse container(s) having a capacity of at least 50 gallons.

G. Common Refuse Collection Facilities. Dumpsters or similar devices shall be provided for every 30 units or fraction thereof in excess of 15. Such central collection facilities shall be screened from view and shall not be located more than 400 feet from any mobile home served.

H. Water and Wastewater. Each unit shall be served by public water and sanitary sewer.

I. Laundry Facilities. Central laundry facilities shall be provided at the rate of 1 standard-size washing machine and dryer for each 25 units or fraction in excess of 11 units. Laundry facilities shall be located not more than 800 feet from the units served.

J. Public Telephones. Public telephones shall be provided at convenient locations.

K. Fire Protection. Fire hydrants shall be located throughout the park in accordance with standards of the Fire Marshal. Each unit shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher type approved by the Fire Marshal of Fulton County.

L. Landscaping. Each mobile home park shall be landscaped with shade trees, shrubs and grass. Landscaping shall be in accordance with a landscaping plan which has been approved by the Community Development Department.

M. Recreation Facilities. At a minimum, 10 percent of the gross acreage of a mobile home park shall be provided for common open space and recreation for the residents of the mobile home park.

Sec. 12E.3. - Development Standards.

A. Common Open Space

All zoning districts with residential components (detached and attached) shall provide common open space for the use of the residents to foster a sense of community. The common open space requirements are as follows:

1. A minimum percentage of the site shall be allocated as common open space. The applicable minimum for each zoning district is shown in the table below.

Zoning District Common Open Space Percentage

AG-1, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A 5%

R-4, R-4A, R-5, R-5A, R-6, NUP, MHP 10%

TR, CUP 15%

MIX 20%

A, A-L 25%

2. A minimum of 50% of the required common open space must be in one contiguous area or only separated by a residential street. Multiple common open spaces shall be connected by sidewalks or multi-use trails. 63

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3. Common open space shall be situated in a central position(s) in the neighborhood to best serve the residents. Common open space may also be placed in a location taking advantage of an important adjacent natural feature or open space.

4. Common open space shall be suitably improved for the use of the residents.

Sec. 19.3. - Minimum Administrative Permit Standards.

19.3.3. Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor. As applicable, special events are subject to the requirements of other City of Johns Creek Departments, such as Emergency Medical Services Plans, Emergency Planning and Preparedness Plans, tent permits, pyrotechnics permits, food service permits, etc.

A. Required Districts: O-I, MIX, C-1, C-2, M-1A, M-1, AG-1; residential districts in conjunction with an institutional use, such as a place of worship or a school, or for the benefit of charity such as tours of homes, show houses, and the like; or for filming activities; and in a CUP in conjunction with a commercial use. Private events on private property do not require an events permit.

B. Standards:

1. No more than twofour Administrative Permits shall be granted per year and no permit shall be effective for more than 14 consecutive days for a single event on the same property. An application for said permit shall be made no less than 14 days prior to the event. Said permit must be posted on site such that it is visible from the street.

2. The hours of operation shall be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday through Saturday.

3. Two copies of a drawing, no larger in size than 11" x 17", with dimensions (distances in feet) of the activity's location from the site's property lines and other minimum distance requirements as specified by this Section shall be submitted to the Department of Community Department for approval. Said drawing shall also depict north arrow, curb cuts and traffic patterns.

4. The applicant shall provide a notarized written permission statement of the property owner or lease holder of the subject site to the Department of Community Development. A 24-hour contact number of the property owner or lease holder shall be provided along with permit application.

5. The entire property shall comply with the zoning district's setback requirements.

6. No temporary sanitary facility or trash receptacle may be located within 100 feet of a property line of any residential use.

7. No tent, table or other temporary structure shall be located within 250 feet of a residential structure.

Tents less than 5,000 square feet do not require a building permit; tents equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet require structural plan review and a building permit.

All tents are subject to the approval of the Fire Department.

8. Sales from vehicles are prohibited. 64

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9. The entire property shall comply with the City of Johns Creek parking requirements.

10. No equipment, vehicle, display or sales activity shall block access to a public facility such as a telephone booth, mail box, parking meter, fire hydrant, fire alarm box, traffic control box, driveway or other access point.

11. A sound level of 65 dBA shall not be exceeded at adjacent property lines of any residential use.

12. Signage shall be in accordance with Article 33.

SO ORDAINED, this the day of , 2019.

Approved:

___________________________Michael E. Bodker, Mayor

ATTEST:Approved as to Form and Content:

__________________________ __________________________Joan C. Jones, City Clerk City Attorney

(Seal)

65

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Scope Comprehensive PlanArticle I. Adoption N/A N/AArticle II. Preamble and Enactment N/A N/A

Article III. DefinitionsAdd definitions (common open space, live-work unit, multi-use path)

Article IV. General Provisions Revise Section 4.4 “Large Scale Retail/Service Commercial”

Goal 4. Objective 2: Encourage private entities to redevelop existing neighborhood commercial shopping centers with high vacancy rates into village centers with public gathering spaces surrounded by mixed uses and/or retail uses.Goal 7. Objective 2, Strategy 1: Create site and architectural design standards for new development/redevelopment

Article V. Agricultural Districts N/A N/AArticle VI. Single-family Dwelling Districts N/A N/AArticle VII. Two-family; Townhouse; Apartment Dwelling Districts N/A N/A

Article VIII. Office Institutional; Mixed Use Districts

Remove residential components from O-I;Revise MIX to accommodate MULI and MUHI

MIXGoal 1. Objective 4 Strategy 1: Expand senior housing options to promote opportunities for “aging in place” and encourage active-adult and age-restricted housing developments near shopping and health-related services, especially in village designated areas and the Town Center.Goal 1. Objective 4 Strategy 2: Expand home-owner housing options for Millennials, especially in village designated areas and the Town Center.Goal 4. Objective 2: Encourage private entities to redevelop existing neighborhood commercial shopping centers with high vacancy rates into village centers with public gathering spaces surrounded by mixed uses and/or retail uses.Goal 4. Objective 3: Support the private development of small businesses and live-work spaces within the mixed-use areas identified in the future land use map.

Town Center MIXGoal 4. Objective 1 Strategy 2: Create a walkable town center for Technology Park that contains a mix of housing options, restaurants, entertainment, and public spaces to attract targeted companies.Goal 4. Objective 3: Support the private development of small businesses and live-work spaces within the mixed-use areas identified in the future land use map.Goal 5. Objective 1: Create a vibrant Town Center for the City in the heart of Technology Park to provide a place for citizens, workers and visitors to live, work, eat, play and shop.

Article IX. Community Business DistrictsRemove residential components from C-1Remove residential components from C-2

Article X. Industrial/Light Industrial Districts N/A N/AArticle XI. Community/Neighborhood/Mobile Home Districts

Remove separate common open space requirement from CUP and NUP

Article XII-A. Reserved N/A N/A

Article XII-E. Community Standards

Add Common Open Space requirement to zoning districts with residential components

Goal 1. Objective 3: Expect all new residential subdivision to foster a sense of community by including usable common space.Goal 3. Objective 1. Strategy 2: Revise existing development regulations to encourage land to be developed in new subdivisions for use as open space and amenity space beyond the minimum requirements in the existing regulations.

Article XVIII. Off Street Parking and Loading N/AArticle XIX. Administrative Permits and Use Permits

Revise Event, Special Indoor/Outdoor Goal 1. Objective 4: Support and encourage cultural activities, events and festivals.

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Article XX. Conservation Subdivision Ordinance N/A N/AArticle XXII. Appeals N/A N/AArticle XXIII. Occupancy Certificate N/A N/AArticle XXIV. Plans and Inspections N/A N/AArticle XXVI. Interpretation, conflict and Enforcement N/A N/AArticle XXVIII. Rezoning and other amendment procedures N/A N/AArticle XXIX. Violation and Penalty N/A N/AArticle XXX. Validity N/A N/AArticle XXXI. Conflicting ordinances repealed N/A N/AArticle XXXII. Effective Date N/A N/A

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AGENDA REPORTTo: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

From: Bob Mullen, Communications Director

Date: June 17, 2019

Subject: 2019 Community Survey: Summary Report and Results Overview

BackgroundThe City of Johns Creek commissioned a survey of its residents, conducted in spring 2019, to collect public opinions on a number of issues related to city management and services, quality of life in the city, public trust, and policies. The city worked with the A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service & Research at Kennesaw State University on the 2019 Community Survey to develop a survey instrument in conjunction with Johns Creek staff. The survey report provides details about the survey methodology, participants, and all survey statistics. The community survey typically has been conducted every other year since 2013 with the most recent community survey taking place in 2017.

Overview: Survey Methodology: The A.L Burruss Institute conducted an online survey of Johns Creek residents over a 47-day period between March 25 and May 1, 2019. In order to reach and collect survey response data which would be considered statistically significant for the community, A.L Burruss Institute reached out to potential participants through invitations mailed to 7,000 randomly selected residential address in Johns Creek. The invitation was printed on city letterhead describing the reason for the survey and containing a web address for the survey. Each potential respondent was given a unique password that would give them secure access to the survey.

Approximately ten days after the survey began, reminder postcards were sent to each of the sample addresses encouraging them to participate in the survey. A second postcard reminder was sent approximately ten days after the initial postcard. At the close of the survey, 511 completed surveys had been obtained. The random sample size of adults allowed for a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ± 4.3% for the overall survey results.

Survey Respondent Demographics: Prior to analysis, data was weighted for gender, age, race, and education using 2017 Census data (derived from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates - U.S. Census Bureau)so survey respondents would match the adult population of Johns Creek. This resulted in a sample that was 53 percent female and 47 percent male. Respondents ranged in age from 25 to 65 and over, with an average age of 49. Approximately 46 percent of the households surveyed included children age 17 or younger. The majority of respondents identified as White (55.4 percent), with 9.2 percent identified as Black/African American,19.6 percent as Asian, and 3.2. percent as “Other.” Eight percent of the respondents described themselves as Latino or Hispanic. Respondents were allowed to select multiple categories. For the purpose of analyses, respondents were coded as White, Black/African-American, and Other to allow for a significant number of cases in each category. 68

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Executive Summary: Residents were asked where they felt the quality of life in Johns Creek was headed. Almost three-fourths

(72.7%) of residents who offered an opinion on the topic expressed Johns Creek was headed in the right direction. The top three reasons respondents believed the city is heading in the right direction were “good quality of life,” “safe/low crime rate,” and “good schools.”

Residents were asked to rate the Johns Creek community in several key areas related to quality of life. More than ninety percent (94%) of the respondents provided generally positive evaluations of the city as a place to raise children, almost ninety percent (87.8%) gave the city generally positive evaluations in regards to the safety of residents in their community, and more than eighty percent (85.9%) said public education in the city is either excellent (55.8%) or good (30.1%).

Residents were asked to rate the importance of issues for city government to consider on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being “not at all important” and 10 being “extremely important.” All issues were deemed to be important, with maintaining public safety (average rating = 9.14) and dealing with traffic and congestion (average rating = 8.38) rated as most important for city government to address.

Residents were asked to rate their approval of the Johns Creek Mayor and City Council. The majority of people who offered an opinion on the topic agreed that the City Council was responsive to the community, doing a good job of managing the city’s finances, and making the best decisions for the city’s future.

Residents were asked for their approval of the job being done by the Police Department, Fire Department, and 911. The vast majority “approved” or “strongly approved” of the job each department is doing.

The vast majority of respondents (79.6%) who indicated they were familiar with Public Works indicated that they “strongly approved” or “approved” of the job the department was doing. Half of the respondents (50.9%) familiar with the work the Community Development department performs generally approve of the job the department is doing.

Residents were asked whether they had visited the City of Johns Creek website anytime in the last 6 months. Just less than half had not (49.3%), and more than one-third of those who had visited the website had done so once or twice (36.6%).

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2019 Community Survey: Summary Report and Results Overview

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2019 Community Survey: Summary Report and Results Overview

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2019 Community Survey: Summary Report and Results Overview

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Attachment: 2019 Johns Creek Community Survey Summary Report & Results

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Prepared by:Kennesaw State University

Burruss Institute #33023333 Busbee Dr NW

Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

470-578-6464470-578-9087 (FAX)

www.burruss.kennesaw.edu73

City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Table of ContentsIntroduction .................................................................................................................................... 1

A Note on Terminology............................................................................................................... 2A Note on the Respondents........................................................................................................ 2

Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... 3Evaluations of Life in Johns Creek................................................................................................... 4

Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction?........................................................................... 4Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction ................................................................. 5Reasons for Thinking Johns Creek has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track................................. 6

Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse?.................................................................. 7Importance of Specific Issues ..................................................................................................... 8Evaluation of Johns Creek on Quality of Life Issues.................................................................... 9

Other Issues .......................................................................................................................... 10Evaluations of City Government ................................................................................................... 12

Performance of City Council ..................................................................................................... 12Public Works and Community Development Departments ..................................................... 13Police, Fire and 911 System ...................................................................................................... 14

Sources of Information about Johns Creek .................................................................................. 15Sources of Information About the City ..................................................................................... 15Website and Johns Creek Newsletter....................................................................................... 16

Community Involvement .............................................................................................................. 17Self-Perceptions of Level of Community Involvement ............................................................. 17Participation in Specific Activities............................................................................................. 18

Attendance at Specific Community Events........................................................................... 19Comparisons to Previous Results for Selected Items ................................................................... 20

Is Johns Creek Heading in the Right Direction? ........................................................................ 20Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction ............................................................... 21Reasons for Thinking Johns Creek has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track............................... 22

Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse? ............................................................... 23Importance of Specific Issues ................................................................................................... 24Quality of Life Issues ................................................................................................................. 25Performance of City Council ..................................................................................................... 26Evaluations of City Departments .............................................................................................. 27Sources of General Information................................................................................................ 28

Appendix A – Open Ended Responses .......................................................................................... 30Appendix B – Individual Item Frequencies ................................................................................... 33Appendix C – Survey Instrument .................................................................................................. 53

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Table of FiguresFigure 1: Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction?................................................................ 4Figure 2: Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction ......................................................... 5Figure 3: Reasons Why the City has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track ............................................ 6Figure 4: Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse?....................................................... 7Figure 5: Importance of Specific Issues .......................................................................................... 8Figure 6: Evaluation of Johns Creek on Quality of Life Issues......................................................... 9Figure 7: Evaluation of Other Issues ............................................................................................. 11Figure 8: Evaluations of Performance of City Council .................................................................. 12Figure 9: Evaluation of Public Works and Community Development Departments .................... 13Figure 10: Evaluations of Police, Fire and 911 .............................................................................. 14Figure 11: Sources of Information About the City ........................................................................ 15Figure 12: Use of City Website...................................................................................................... 16Figure 13: Receipt of City's Electronic Newsletter........................................................................ 16Figure 14: Self-Perceptions of Community Involvement.............................................................. 17Figure 15: Participation in Specific Types of Community Activities ............................................. 18Figure 16: Attendance at City Events............................................................................................ 19Figure 17: Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction, 2013-2019 .......................................... 20Figure 18: Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction, 2017-2019................................... 21Figure 19: Reasons the City has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track, 2017-2019 ............................. 22Figure 20: Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse, 2017-2019 ................................. 23Figure 21: Importance of Specific Issues, 2013-2019 ................................................................... 24Figure 22: Quality of Life Issues, 2017-2019................................................................................. 25Figure 23: Evaluations of City Council, 2017-2019 ....................................................................... 26Figure 24: Evaluations of City Departments, 2013-2019.............................................................. 27Figure 25: Sources of Information about City Issues and Activities, 2013-2019.......................... 28

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Introduction

In the spring of 2019, the A.L. Burruss Institute of Public and Service and Research at Kennesaw State University conducted the 2019 Community Survey on behalf of the City of Johns Creek, Georgia. The survey sought to obtain resident opinions on a number of issues related to the welfare of the city including general quality of life issues, the performance of various City departments and the City Council, and resident involvement in the community. The city conducted similar efforts in 2013 and 2017. While the 2017 survey was conducted by telephone, the 2019 effort was administered as an online survey.

Participants in the 2019 survey were contacted through invitations mailed to 7,000 randomly selected residential address in Johns Creek. The invitation was printed on city letterhead describing the reason for the survey and containing a web address for the survey. Each potential respondent was given a unique password that would give them secure access to the survey. Approximately 200 invitations were returned by the post office as “undeliverable.”

The survey was “live” from late March until May 1, 2019. Reminder postcards were sent to each of the sample addresses approximately ten days after the survey began, and again 20 days following the launch of the survey, encouraging residents to participate in the survey. At the close of the survey, 511 completed surveys had been obtained. Prior to analyses, the data was weighted on gender, age1, education, and race in order to match the demographic characteristics of the sample with the distribution of those characteristics in the city’s adult population.

An Executive Summary follows this Introduction. The body of the report includes a description of the results of the 2019 results, followed by a comparison of the 2017-2019 results2. Several appendices are attached that include the text of open-ended responses, individual item frequencies, and the survey instrument.

1 No completed surveys were received from persons between the ages of 18-24. Therefore, the weights for educational attainment were based on the distribution of that characteristic among adults in the city over the age of 24.2 In a few instances, the comparisons include data from the 2013 survey when available.

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A Note on TerminologyAt various places in the descriptions of the results, the terms “generally agree” or “generally approve” may be used. These terms are used to describe percentages that include multipleresponse categories, specifically “strongly agree” and “agree,” and “strongly approve” and “approve,” respectively.

Also, a brief comment should be made about the effect of the use of an online mode of data collection on the results for certain items. Depending on how a survey instrument is constructed, online surveys can make it easier for respondents to select a non-response category (“don’t know” or “no opinion” for example) compared to a telephone format, where those non-response categories are often not read to the respondent. That has proven to be the case in the 2019 survey. A handful of items have a relatively large percentage of non-responsescompared when compared to the results of the 2017 telephone survey. This variation is, for the most part, limited to questions that assume the respondent has some knowledge about the performance of specific city officials or departments (City Council, Department of Community Development, for example). Inclusion of respondents who offer a non-response in the calculation of the results to those questions can have a potentially misleading impact on those results. In these instances, we have provided results for these items for both all respondents, as well as for only those respondents who provided a meaningful answer (regardless of whether or not those responses were positive or negative in nature). When comparing the 2019 results on those questions to the results in 2017, it is probably best that we use the 2019 results for only those who provided a meaningful answer as a basis of comparison.

A Note on the RespondentsThe data was weighted before analysis so the survey respondents would match the adult population of Johns Creek on gender, age, education and race. Accordingly, a brief profile of the respondents is appropriate:

47% of the respondents are males; 55% of the respondents are white; 9% are African-American and 23% are of some other

racial makeup; 14% are between the ages of 25 and 34; 52% are between the ages of 35 and 54; 33%

are 55 years of age or older; 46% have children under the age of 18 living in their homes; 22% indicated they have lived in Johns Creek for two years or less (10% have lived in the

city for less than a year); 52% have lived in Johns Creek for more than 10 years; 82% indicated they own their own home;

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Executive Summary

Overall, the results of the 2019 survey suggest that people are generally pleased with Johns Creek as a place to live and the overall City administration.

A majority of respondents believe the City is headed in the right direction, mostly because of a sense of good quality of life, a low crime rate and good schools. For those individuals who think that the city has gotten off on the wrong track, the rate of development and traffic related issues (which often go hand-in-hand) were the main reasons provided. Most respondents believe the economy in their area is relatively stable. A little more than one-third of the respondents think the economy is getting better.

Issues such as public safety and traffic and congestion continue to rate most highly in importance in the minds of Johns Creek residents. Other issues, including road maintenance, public parks and greenspace, protecting the environment and open space, and keeping taxes down also continue to rate highly in importance in the minds of residents. Opinions on a number of quality of life issues, particularly their opinions on the City as a place to raise children, the safety of City residents, the quality of local public education in Johns Creek, and Johns Creek as a place to age are quite high. Respondents are less enthusiastic about Johns Creek as an affordable place to live, however.

A majority of respondents have generally positive opinions of how the City Council performs it duties, while a smaller percentage of respondents disagreed with the City Council’s overall performance of responsibilities. A significant percentage of respondents offered no opinions on the questions about the City Council, and among those who did express an opinion, two-thirds generally agreed with the idea that the City Council makes decisions that are in the best interests for the future of the City. Approximately three-in-four of the respondents who expressed an opinion generally agreed with the suggestion that the City Council is responsive to community needs, and approximately four-in-five generally agreed with the idea that the City Council does a good job of handling City finances.

Respondents who are familiar with the functions of the Public Works Department have very positive opinions of the performance of that department. Opinions of the performance of the Police and Fire departments are very high as well. To the extent that people are familiar with the 911 system, opinions of that department are quite positive as well. Opinions regarding the Community Development Department are not quite as positive, however the number of respondents familiar with the department was less than one-half of those familiar with Public Works Department.

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The internet (general reference), neighbors and friends, and the Johns Creek Herald were most often cited as the source of respondents information about issues and activities in Johns Creek. Other sources of information were cited by fewer than 25 percent of the respondents. Almost one-half of the respondents said they have not visited the city’s website in the past six months; two-thirds said they could not recall receiving the city’s electronic newsletter.

Almost one-half of the respondents characterized themselves as not being active at all in community affairs. Most of the remaining respondents said they are only somewhat active in local affairs. Slightly more than one-half of the respondents said they have attended a community activity in the past year; a slightly smaller percentage said they have attended a religious service or event of some type. Significantly fewer respondents claimed to have participated in other types of community activities in the past year. The Johns Creek Art Festivalappears to be by far the most popular community event in terms of attendance.

Evaluations of Life in Johns Creek

Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction?The respondents were asked their opinion on whether or not Johns Creek is headed in the right direction or if it has gotten off on the wrong track. More than one-half (58.4%) of the respondents believe the city is headed in the right direction (see Figure 1). When the analysis is restricted to those respondents who offered an opinion one way or another on this issue (the not sure/don’t know or “2019 – no DK” bars in Figure 1) however, almost three-fourths (72.7%) said the city is headed in the right direction.

Figure 1: Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction?

72.7%

27.3%

58.4%

21.9% 19.7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Right Direction Wrong Direction Not sure/DK

2019 - excluding DK 2019 - all respondents

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Reasons the City is Headed in the Right DirectionRespondents who believe the city is heading in the right direction were asked to specify the main reason for that belief. A plurality of these respondents (43.1%) said Johns Creek offers a good quality of life (see Figure 2). One-in-four respondents (24.6%) indicated Johns Creek has a low crime rate and an almost equal number (23.9%) pointed to good schools as the reason for their opinion that Johns Creek is headed in the right direction. Other reasons were specified by far fewer respondents.

Figure 2: Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction

1.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.4%

0.5%

1.4%

2.2%

2.6%

23.9%

24.6%

43.1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other (specify)

Don't know

Low cost of living

Low taxes

Strong Economy

Rate of development

Strong sense of community

Protection of the environment/open space

Good schools

Safe/low crime rate

Good quality of life

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Reasons for Thinking Johns Creek has Gotten Off on the Wrong TrackRespondents who think the City has gotten off on the wrong track also were asked to specify the most important reason for that opinion. Just below one-half (46.2%) indicated that the rate of development was the main reason for that belief (see Figure 3). Almost one-in-five respondents (16.9%) mentioned traffic issues.

Figure 3: Reasons Why the City has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track

8.0%

0.2%

1.9%

2.0%

2.4%

2.6%

3.1%

4.4%

12.1%

16.9%

46.2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other (specify)

Low quality of life

Lack of jobs

High taxes

Poor educational system/schools

High cost of living

High crime rate/unsafe neighborhoods

Weak sense of community

Environment problems/lack of open space

Traffic

Rate of development

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse?The respondents were asked whether or not economic conditions in their area are getting better, worse, or staying about the same. A majority of respondents (54.3%) said economic conditions are about the same (see Figure 4), while more than one-third (34.9%) indicated that conditions in their area are getting better. Very few respondents (4.8%) feel economic conditions are getting worse.

Figure 4: Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse?

Getting better, 34.9%

Staying about the same, 54.3%

Getting worse, 4.8%

DK, 6.1%

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Importance of Specific IssuesThe respondents were asked to rate the importance of several issues as they relate to their perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek. The respondents were asked to rate these issues on a scale of “0” (“not important at all”) to “10” (“extremely important”). Figure 5 provides a summary of the average importance rating for each of the issues examined. The average ratings were relatively high for each issue.

Public safety was most highly rated in importance with an average rating of 9.14. Traffic congestion was the second most highly rated issue, with an average rating of

8.38. Road repair (8.03), public parks and greenspace (7.98) and protecting the environment

(7.95) have very similar mean importance scores. Keeping taxes down received the lowest average score at 7.68, although this score is still

relatively high.

Figure 5: Importance of Specific Issues

7.68

7.95

7.98

8.03

8.38

9.14

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Keeping taxes down

Protecting enviroment and open space

Public parks and greenspace

Road repair and maintenance

Traffic and congestion

Public Safety

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Evaluation of Johns Creek on Quality of Life IssuesThe respondents were asked to evaluate the city on a number of items related to general quality of life issues. The respondents were asked to rate these issues on a four-point scale ranging from “excellent” to “poor.” Most of these issues were rated quite favorably by the respondents. Figure 6 provides a summary of the results. More than ninety percent (94%) of the respondents provided generally positive

evaluations of the City as a place to raise children; in fact, more than one-half of the respondents said the City is an excellent place to raise kids.

Almost ninety percent (87.8%) gave the City generally positive evaluations in regards to the safety of residents in their community.

More than eighty percent (85.9%) said public education in the City is either excellent (55.8%) or good (30.1%).

Figure 6: Evaluation of Johns Creek on Quality of Life Issues

7.5%

4.8%

10.1%

19.1%

55.8%

44.7%

57.5%

31.8%

40.4%

37.0%

46.8%

30.1%

43.1%

36.5%

18.3%

40.7%

20.9%

17.4%

3.7%

8.7%

3.0%

9.1%

13.5%

6.1%

8.6%

1.0%

2.5%

0.3%

33.4%

0.6%

25.9%

8.1%

9.4%

1.0%

2.7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Employment opportunities

Affordability of Johns Creekas place to live

Responsiveness oflocal government

As a place to age

Public education in Johns Creek

Safety of residents inyour community

As a place to raise children

Excellent Good Fair Poor DK

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Almost two-thirds of the respondents (65.9%) gave the city generally positive evaluations as a place to age. Only 19% gave the city an excellent rating on this issue, however.

Slightly less than one-half of the respondents (47.1%) said the responsiveness of the local government to the needs of its residents is excellent (10.1%) or good (37%). Slightly more than one-in-four respondents (27%) gave less positive responses. It should be pointed out, however, that a significant percentage of respondents (25.9%) did not offer an opinion on this issue. When those respondents are removed from the analysis, almost two-thirds (63.6%) of the respondents who offered an opinion on this issue gave the city generally positive ratings.

Respondents were less enthusiastic about the city’s affordability as a place to live. A majority of respondents (54.2%) rated the city as only fair (40.7%) or poor (13.5%) on this issue.

Almost four out of every ten respondents (39.3%) gave the city positive ratings on job opportunities, while 27.4% gave less enthusiastic responses. It should be noted, however, that a third of the respondents had no opinion on this issue. When those respondents are taken out the analysis, almost sixty percent (58.9%) of the remaining respondents gave the city generally positive evaluations in regards to job opportunities.

Other IssuesThe respondents were asked to evaluate several additional conditions in the city. These issues were rated on a four-point scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Figure 7provides a summary of the results for these items.

Two-thirds of the respondents (67.6%) generally agree the city’s parks offer a wide variety of activities and events.

A slight majority (55%) generally agree that they are notified in advance of road repairsso that they might make alternative travel plans.

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Figure 7: Evaluation of Other Issues

A majority of respondents (52.9%) generally disagreed that there are shopping opportunities within easy walking distance of their homes.

When asked to evaluate the statement most new businesses in Johns Creek do very well, almost forty percent (37.7%) of the respondents generally agreed with that statement. Slightly less than one-half (44.3%) of the respondents did not offer an opinion on this issue, however. When those respondents are taken out of the analysis, two-thirds of the remaining respondents provided generally positive responses to this item.

5.5%

13.4%

10.8%

17.1%

32.2%

33.2%

44.2%

50.5%

15.3%

32.7%

26.1%

17.7%

2.7%

20.2%

7.8%

4.9%

44.3%

0.4%

11.0%

9.7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Most new businesses do very well

There are shopping opportunities withineasy walking distance of my home

I am notified in advance of road repairs

Johns Creek parks offer a widevariety of activities

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK/NA

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Evaluations of City Government

Performance of City CouncilThe respondents were asked to evaluate the city council on three different responsibilities; specifically, its handling of city finances, its responsiveness to the community, and its decision-making ability. The respondents were asked to evaluate each of these items on a four-point scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Figure 8 provides a summary of the responses to these items. In the figure below, there are two result bars for each item. The top bar reflects the overall results for the respondents as a whole; however, for each of these statements there was a significant percentage of respondents who did not offer an opinion. Therefore, the bottom result bar for each statement reflects the results when only considering respondents who offered an opinion on these topics.

Less than one-half of all respondents (44.6%) generally agree that City Council is doing a good job with City finances. However, when respondents who expressed no opinion on this issue are removed from the analysis, that percentage jumps to 78.6%.

Figure 8: Evaluations of Performance of City Council

6.4%

4.0%

8.3%

5.2%

4.1%

2.3%

59.8%

37.5%

64.2%

40.3%

74.5%

42.3%

26.2%

16.4%

20.3%

12.7%

14.5%

8.2%

7.5%

4.7%

7.3%

4.6%

6.8%

3.9%

37.3%

37.2%

43.2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

City Council is making best decisions for future(excluding "DK")

City Council is making best decisions for future

City Council is responsive to community(excluding "DK")

City Council is responsive to community

City Council is doing a good job with finances(excluding "DK")

City Council is doing a good job with finances

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree DK

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Less than one-half of all respondents (45.5%) generally agree that the City Council is responsive to the community. After eliminating those who expressed no opinion from the analysis, the percentage of respondents who generally agree with this statement is 72.5%.

More than forty percent (41.5%) of the respondents generally agree that the City Council is making the best decisions for the City’s future. That percentage jumps to 66.2% once respondents with no opinion on this issue are removed.

Public Works and Community Development DepartmentsThe respondents were asked about their familiarity with the city’s Department of Public Works and the Department of Community Development, and those respondents who indicated they are familiar with those departments were asked to evaluate the performance of each department. Figure 9 provides a summary of the responses to these questions. Slightly more than one-fourth of the respondents (28.3%) indicated they are familiar

with the work of the Department of Community Development. About one-half (50.9%) of those respondents generally approve of the job Community Development is doing.

More respondents (60.5%) said they are familiar with the duties of the Department of Public Works. More than three-fourths of those respondents (79.6%) generally approve of the job the Public Works is doing for the city.

Figure 9: Evaluation of Public Works and Community Development Departments

11.2%

4.4%

68.4%

46.5%

12.5%

27.9%

1.1%

15.0%

6.8%

6.1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Public Works

Community Development

(For those who said they are familiar with the work performed by each department; Community Development n = 145; Public Works n = 309)

Strongly Approve Approve Disapprove Strongly Disapprove DK

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Police, Fire and 911 SystemThe respondents were asked to evaluate the performance of the City’s police and fire departments as well as the 911 system. Figure 10 provides a summary of the results on these items. Public opinion of these services are quite positive. Very few people had anything negative to say about any of these services. More than eighty percent (84.3%) of the respondents generally approve of the

performance of the Johns Creek Police Department. An almost equal number (84.1%) generally approve of the Fire Department’s

performance. In fact, a majority of the respondents (51%) strongly approve of the job the Fire Department is doing.

A majority of the respondents (58.7%) generally approve of the performance of the 911 system. In this case, however, an unusually large percentage (39.4%) of respondents expressed no opinion on this item. When those respondents are removed from the analysis, the percentage of respondents who generally approve of the 911 system increases to 96.8%.

Figure 10: Evaluations of Police, Fire and 911

25.3%

51.0%

46.1%

33.4%

33.1%

38.2%

1.7%

6.5%

0.3%

0.3%

39.4%

15.9%

8.9%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

911 System

Johns Creek Fire Department

Johns Creek Police Department

Strongly Approve Approve Disapprove Strongly Disapprove DK

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Sources of Information about Johns Creek

Sources of Information About the CityThe respondents were asked to specify where they get the news about issues and projects in Johns Creek. Respondents were allowed to select as many sources of information as they wished from a randomized list of potential sources. Figure 11 provides a summary of the results to this question. The most popular sources of information include the internet (46.5%), neighbors and friends (43.2%) and the Johns Creek Herald (37.2%). Other sources of information were mentioned by fewer than one-in-four respondents.

Figure 11: Sources of Information About the City

13.3%

14.5%

15.3%

17.8%

18.5%

18.6%

19.4%

23.4%

37.2%

43.2%

46.5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other

AJC

Johns Creek Patch

Johns Creek Neighbor

Johns Creek Newsletter

Johns Creek Website

Atlanta TV

Johns Creek City social media

Johns Creek Herald

Neighbors

Internet

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Website and Johns Creek NewsletterThe respondents were asked if they had visited the Johns Creek website in the past six months and whether or not they recalled having received the Johns Creek electronic newsletter.

As revealed in Figure 12, almost one-half of the respondents (49.3%) said they have not visitedthe City’s website in the past six months. More than one-third (36.6%) said they have been to the website once or twice during that time, while almost ten percent indicated they have been to the website 3-5 times during the past six months.

Figure 12: Use of City Website

Meanwhile, barely one-in-four respondents (25.3%) could recall having received the City’s electronic newsletter (see Figure 13).

Figure 13: Receipt of City's Electronic Newsletter

Yes, once or twice, 36.6%

Yes, 3-5 times, 9.9%

Yes, more than 5 times, 4.2%

No, 49.3%

Yes, 25.3%

No, 66.2%

DK8.5%

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Community Involvement

The respondents were asked a number of questions about their levels of community involvement.

Self-Perceptions of Level of Community InvolvementThe respondents were asked to indicate their level of community involvement. The results in Figure 14 reveal that only 4.2% of the respondents describe themselves as very involved in community affairs. Almost one-half (47.7%) said they are somewhat involved in their community, while an almost equal number (44.2%) said they are not involved at all.

Figure 14: Self-Perceptions of Community Involvement

Very involved, 4.2%

Somewhat involved, 47.7%

Not at all involved, 44.2%

DK, 3.9%

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Participation in Specific ActivitiesThe respondents were asked if they had participated in any of several community activities in the past year. Figure 15 provides a summary of participation in these types of activities.More than one-half of the respondents (51.8%) said they attended a community event in the past year (this was the only item for which a majority said they had participated). Slightly less than one-half (47.1%) said they had attended a religious service of some type in the past year. At the bottom of the scale, only 18.1% of the respondents said they attended a public meeting held by a local government in the past year, while only 15.6% have attended a PTA meeting in that time period.

Figure 15: Participation in Specific Types of Community Activities

15.6%

18.1%

26.1%

38.9%

47.1%

51.8%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

PTA meeting

Public meeting held by local government

Volunteered at community event

Neighborhood association meeting

Religious service

Attended community event

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Attendance at Specific Community EventsThe respondents who indicated they have attended a community event in the past year were asked to specify which events they had attended. Figure 16 provides a summary of the results on this item. The Johns Creek Art Festival (35.6%) was most often mentioned by these respondents. The Summer Concert, the Johns Creek International Festival, the Fall Family Festival and Movies at Newtown Park were mentioned by 10%-15% of these respondents. Other events were mentioned by fewer than 10% of the respondents who said they had attended some activity in the past year.

Figure 16: Attendance at City Events

9.4%

6.6%

8.3%

9.2%

11.6%

13.9%

15.1%

15.6%

35.6%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other

Easter Egg Dash

Touch a Truck

Event at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

Movies at Newtown Park

Fall Family Festival

Johns Creek International Festival

Summer Concert

Johns Creek Art Festival

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Comparisons to Previous Results for Selected Items

The following section provides a comparison of the 2019 results to those from 2017 for selecteditems. In a few instances, data from the 2013 survey is included when available.

Is Johns Creek Heading in the Right Direction?The percentage of respondents who believe Johns Creek is heading in the right direction appears to have declined slightly between 2017 and 2019 (see Figure 17). However, some of this decline may be due to the adoption of an online survey format (with mailed invitations to participate) rather than the continued use of the telephone format to collect the data. The online mode of data collection most likely increases the possibility that more respondents will, on some questions, decide not to offer an opinion. This was quite apparent on this question, as well as a few others, in the 2019 survey. In Figure 17, two result bars are presented for 2019; the top bar reflects the percentage (58.4%) of all respondents who believe the City is headed in right direction (i.e. those who failed to offer an opinion are still included in the calculation of this result); the bottom result bar represents the results after “no opinion” respondents are excluded from the analysis. Thus, among respondents who offered an opinion one way or another on this issue, 72.7% believe the City is headed in the right direction. Using the adjustedresults for comparison purposes, the drop in this percentage since 2017 is relatively small (from 81.6% to 72.7%).

Figure 17: Is Johns Creek Headed in the Right Direction, 2013-2019

78.7%

81.6%

72.7%

58.4%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

2013

2017

2019(excluding "DK")

2019

95

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Reasons the City is Headed in the Right DirectionRespondents who said they believe the city is headed in the right direction were asked to give one reason why they think that way. Figure 18 provides a comparison of the results between 2017 and 2019 on this question.

Almost one-half (43.1%) of the respondents in 2019 mentioned the general feeling that the city has a good quality of life, compared to just 11.6% in 2017. A safe environment/low crime rate(24.6%) and good schools (23.9%) were the only other reasons selected by more than 20% of the respondents in 2019. In both cases, these percentages represented a small increase over the corresponding numbers in 2017. It should be noted, however, that good schools was the most frequently given reason in 2017, at just 18%.

Figure 18: Reasons the City is Headed in the Right Direction, 2017-2019

14.9%

0.0%

1.0%

0.9%

5.4%

13.1%

10.6%

6.3%

18.0%

13.6%

11.6%

1.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.4%

0.5%

1.4%

2.2%

2.6%

23.9%

24.6%

43.1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other (specify)

Don't know

Low cost of living

Low taxes

Strong Economy

Rate of development

Strong sense of community

Protection of the environmentopen space

Good schools

Safe/low crime rate

Good quality of life

2019 2017

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Reasons for Thinking Johns Creek has Gotten Off on the Wrong TrackRespondents who said they believe Johns Creek has gotten off on the wrong track were asked to give one reason why they believe this. Figure 19 provides a comparison of responses to this item between 2017 and 2019. The results indicate that rate of development has become a much more important consideration for the respondents in 2019. Almost one-half (46.2%) of the respondents mentioned the rate of development in 2019, compared to just 19.1% in 2017.Traffic is the second most often mentioned reason for believing the city has a problem in this area, with 16.1% mentioning traffic in 2019 compared to 19.1% in 2017.

Figure 19: Reasons the City has Gotten Off on the Wrong Track, 2017-2019

34.6%

1.0%

1.9%

0.0%

2.1%

5.5%

10.6%

6.3%

19.1%

19.1%

0.8%

0.2%

1.9%

2.0%

2.4%

2.6%

3.1%

4.4%

12.1%

16.9%

46.2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Other (specify)

Low quality of life

Lack of jobs

High taxes

Poor schools

High cost of living

Crime rate

Weak sense of community

Lack of open space

Traffic

Rate of development

2019 2017

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse?When asked how economic conditions in their area are changing, a majority of respondents in 2019 said conditions are about the same, a slight increase over the 2017 results (54.3% to45.4% respectively). The percentage of respondents who said things are getting better declined slightly in 2019 compared to the 2017 results (34.9% to 42.5% respectively). The percentage of respondents who think things are getting worse remains very low.

Figure 20: Are Economic Conditions Getting Better or Worse, 2017-2019

42.5%45.4%

3.0%6.4%

34.9%

54.3%

4.8% 6.1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Getting better Staying about the same Getting worse DK

2017 2019

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Importance of Specific IssuesFigure 21 provides a summary of the changes in the average importance ratings of selected issues summarized earlier in this report. The results reveal that the average importance rating for almost every issue has remained fairly stable since the city’s first survey efforts in 2013. Only for keeping taxes down has the average importance rating declined in each successive survey effort (from 8.00 in 2013 to 7.68 in 2019). This decline is relatively modest and the 2019 rating of 7.68 is still high).

Figure 21: Importance of Specific Issues, 2013-2019

8.40

9.10

8.00

7.80

7.80

8.51

9.16

7.83

7.97

8.01

8.38

9.14

7.68

7.95

8.03

6 7 8 9 10

Traffic and congestion

Public Safety

Keeping taxes down

Protecting enviromentand open space

Road repair and maintenance

2019 2017 2013

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Quality of Life IssuesFigure 22 provides a comparison of respondents’ opinions in 2017 and 2019 on the quality of life issues examined earlier. For each item, the results reflect the percentage of respondents who rated the city as excellent or good. For most of these issues, respondents’ opinions in 2019 reflect little meaningful change when compared to the 2017 results. Interpretation of the results for two of these issues – the responsiveness of local government to its residents and employment opportunities - are problematic, however, due to the relatively high percentage of respondents in 2019 who expressed no opinion on these issues. These issues have been handled the same way similar interpretations were handled earlier in this report; a second results bar was added to each of those items reflecting the results for only those respondents who provided a meaningful response to each item. When that correction is made, the initial significant declines in generally positive responses to those two items from 2017 to 2019 turn into modestly higher positive results.

Figure 22: Quality of Life Issues, 2017-2019

51.3%

50.7%

57.5%

67.8%

90.8%

92.8%

94.3%

58.9%

63.5%

39.3%

45.2%

47.1%

65.9%

85.9%

87.8%

94.0%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Employment opportunities

Affordability of Johns Creek asplace to live

Responsiveness of local government

As a place to age

Public education in Johns Creek

Safety of residents in your community

As a place to raise children

2019 2019 - excluding "DK" 2017

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Performance of City CouncilFigure 23 provides a comparison of the 2017-2019 results on the questions related to related to the performance of City Council. The percentages represent the number of respondents who generally agreed (i.e. strongly agree or agree) with each statement. For 2019, results for all respondents and only those who provided a meaningful response have been included. When comparing the 2019 results to those in 2017, it is probably most appropriate to use the 2019 results for only those respondents who provided a meaningful response. Using that assumption as a guideline, the results below indicate:

respondents in 2019 are more likely to have generally positive opinions on the issue of how the Council handles city finances compared to their 2017 counterparts (82.8% to 59.2%, respectively).

there has been a small increase in the percentage of respondents who generally agree that the City Council is responsive to community needs (72.4% in 2019, up from 65.6% in 2017).

respondents in 2019 are only slightly more likely to generally agree that City Council is making the best decisions for the future when compared to 2017 (66.3% to 59.2% respectively).

Figure 23: Evaluations of City Council, 2017-2019

59.2%

65.6%

59.2%

66.3%

72.4%

82.8%

41.5%

45.5%

44.6%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

City Council is making bestdecisions for future

City Council is responsiveto community

City Council is doing a good jobwith finances

2019 2019 - excluding "DK" 2017

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Evaluations of City DepartmentsFigure 24 provides a comparison of results for 2013-2019 on respondents’ opinions on the performance of city departments. The results represent the percentage of respondents in each instance who generally approve (i.e. strongly approve or approve) of the performance of each unit. Approval rates of the Police and Fire departments have remained very high over the

course of the City’s survey efforts since 2013. The small decreases in general approval since 2017 are insignificant.

Using the 2019 results for only those who expressed a meaningful opinion on the 911 system, there has been a sizeable increase in the level of general approval since 2017 when this department was first included in these surveys. Virtually every respondent (96.8%) who provided a meaningful response in 2019 generally approve of the performance of the 911 system, compared to 72.1% in 2017.

The Public Works Department, which witnessed a significant increase in general approval between 2013 and 2017, has maintained its high level of approval (85.4%) since 2017.

A majority of respondents (58.9%) generally approve of the job the Department of Community Development is doing in 2019. The 2019 results represent a drop of 10% points from the 2017 results, however.

Figure 24: Evaluations of City Departments, 2013-2019

63.6%

70.3%

86.0%

89.2%

68.1%

88.2%

72.1%

89.8%

92.0%

96.8%

58.9%

85.4%

58.7%

84.1%

84.3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Community Development

Public Works

911 System*

Johns Creek Fire Department

Johns Creek Police Department

2019 2019 - excluding "DK" 2017 2013

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Sources of General InformationFigure 25 provides a comparison of the percentage of respondents between 2013 and 2019 who utilized various sources of information to find out about Johns Creek issues and events.(Several of these potential sources were not included in the 20213, evidently.) When examining the results, it should be noted that the online format utilized in 2019 probably encouraged respondents to select more sources of information than would have been the case with the telephone format utilized in 2017. The internet was cited by the largest number of respondents (46.5%) in 2019, compared

to just 33.1% in 2017. Neighbors and the Johns Creek Herald were the only other sources of information cited

by more than one-third of the respondents in 2019. In both cases, the 2019 results represented significant increases over the 2017 results. It is interesting to note that the Johns Creek Herald’s best showing was in 2013 when it was mentioned by 47.7% of the respondents.

Figure 25: Sources of Information about City Issues and Activities, 2013-2019

4.3%

15.1%

5.1%

8.9%

13.0%

47.7%

1.2%

14.4%

3.7%

6.2%

5.0%

11.2%

7.0%

8.1%

12.5%

19.4%

12.8%

33.1%

13.3%

14.5%

15.3%

17.8%

18.5%

18.6%

19.4%

23.4%

37.2%

43.2%

46.5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

AJC

Johns Creek Patch

Johns Creek Neighbor

Johns Creek Newsletter

Johns Creek Website

Atlanta TV

Johns Creek City social media

Johns Creek Herald

Neighbors

Internet

2019 2017 2013

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

The percentage of respondents who mentioned Johns Creek social media outlets almost doubled between 2017 and 2019 (12.5% to 23.4%).

The percentage of respondents mentioning the Johns Creek website or the Johns Creek newsletter increased marginally between 2017 and 2019. The percentage for the Johns Creek website increased from 7% in 2017 to 18.6% in 2019; for the Johns Creek newsletter, the corresponding percentages are 11.2% and 18.5%, respectively.

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Appendix A – Open Ended Responses

Other reasons respondent thinks Johns Creek is headed in right directionNew Rep. KauscheNewtown Park is well maintained. Routinely see police presence. Both assets to JCThe development of parks and community spaces. I would like to see more gathering spaces

Other reasons why respondent thinks Johns Creek has gotten off on the wrong trackAPARTMENTS

city council

Do not listen to residents

Does not have city center, great parks. Have to go to Alpharetta

excess townhomes

failure to address traffic issues

Heavy traffic has made commutes to Alpharetta, Perimeter and Downtown very long leading to poor quality of life

High Traffic

Increase in traffic congestion, lack of public transportation

ineffective, uninspired city planning

Lack of arts and culture

lack of basic services; don't like privatization of garbage service; no street cleaning/debris collection in neighborhoods etc. Take care of these things before worrying about high-end stuff.lack of public transport

New commercial outlets near homes will lead to increase traffic and crime.

Quality in services provided and lack of maintenance of undeveloped areas

road work lowered the value of my home

traffic

traffic

traffic

Traffic

Traffic

Traffic

Traffic105

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Traffic / Population Density

Traffic and more traffic

Traffic and traffic lights

Traffic congestion

Traffic construction serves Gwinnett County, not us

Traffic problems not being resolved; crime increasing

Traffic/advertising boards/over development

Unbelievable Traffic (it's quite interesting this hot topic is not one of the choices here!)

voting down public transportation when commute times are insane

Where is our Johns Creek downtown

Other Events Attended4th of July and Tree Lighting Newton Park4th of July at Newtown4th of July Fireworks at Newton Park5K Scrub Run5KsAlpharetta events...art center cook offChurch and community service eventsChurch Eventconcerts at newttown parkFall Festival at Newton ParkFarmers MarketfireworksFireworks at newtownFireworks newtownFounders Day ParadeFounder's Day ParadeHigh School athleticsHOA/ Business eventsJC Finest 5kJohns Creek paradeJohns Creek Symphony, Johns Creek Arts CenterJohns Creek's Finest 5K

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neighborhood association car show; other neighborhood stuffneighborhood eventsNewto w Dog / pet dayNewtown Dog Walking ParkNewtown Music SeriesOrchestra at the park and miss the paradePaper shredding and hazardous substances disposalParade - Last Yr?PARK PLACE EVENTSPup a Palooza (great event!)School EventsSecret Garden TourSummit Rocks at Newtown AmphitheaterThe puppy Palooza a at Newtown ParkWas an attendant at The Wall That Heals with the St. Brigid Knights Of ColumbusWill to Live 5 Kwinter choir event at hospitalYoga at Newtown

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Appendix B – Individual Item Frequencies

Do you feel the quality of life in Johns Creek is heading in the right direction, or do you feel it has gotten off on the wrong track?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Right direction 299 58.4 72.7 72.7Wrong track 112 21.9 27.3 100.0

Total 411 80.3 100.0Missing Not sure 100 19.7Total 511 100.0

In your opinion, what is the most important reason why you feel the quality of life here in Johns Creek is headed in the right direction?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Valid Low cost of living 0 .1 .1Strong Economy 1 .3 .5Good educational system/schools 71 14.0 23.9Protection of the environment/open space 8 1.5 2.6Strong sense of community 7 1.3 2.2Rate of development 4 .8 1.4Good quality of life 129 25.2 43.1Safe/low crime rate 73 14.3 24.6Low taxes 1 .2 .4Other (specify) 3 .7 1.1Don't know 0 .1 .1Total 299 58.4 100.0

Missing System 212 41.6Total 511 100.0

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In your opinion, what is the most important reason why you feel the quality of life here in Johns Creek is headed in the wrong track?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentValid High cost of living 3 .6 2.6

Poor educational system/schools 3 .5 2.4Environment problems/lack of open space 14 2.7 12.1Weak sense of community 5 1.0 4.4Rate of development 52 10.1 46.2Lack of jobs 2 .4 1.9Low quality of life 0 .0 .2High crime rate/unsafe neighborhoods 3 .7 3.1High taxes 2 .4 2.0Other (specify) 28 5.5 25.0Total 112 21.9 100.0

Missing System 399 78.1Total 511 100.0

In your opinion, is the economic situation in your area getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Getting better 178 34.9 34.9 34.9Getting worse 24 4.8 4.8 39.6Staying about the same 277 54.3 54.3 93.9Don't know 31 6.1 6.1 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Dealing with traffic and congestion

Frequency PercentValid

PercentCumulative

PercentValid Not Important at All 11 2.1 2.1 2.1

1 6 1.2 1.2 3.32 17 3.3 3.3 6.63 2 .4 .4 7.04 1 .1 .1 7.15 35 6.9 6.9 14.06 23 4.4 4.4 18.57 29 5.6 5.6 24.18 60 11.7 11.7 35.89 40 7.7 7.8 43.6Extremely Important 288 56.3 56.4 100.0Total 510 99.9 100.0

Missing System 1 .1Total 511 100.0

Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Maintaining public safety in the community

Frequency PercentValid

PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid 1 13 2.5 2.5 2.52 1 .2 .2 2.73 3 .6 .6 3.34 1 .1 .1 3.45 5 1.0 1.0 4.46 9 1.7 1.7 6.17 26 5.1 5.1 11.28 51 10.0 10.0 21.39 51 10.0 10.0 31.3Extremely Important 351 68.6 68.7 100.0Total 510 99.9 100.0

Missing System 1 .1Total 511 100.0

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Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Keeping local taxes down

Frequency PercentValid

PercentCumulative

PercentValid Not Important at All 9 1.7 1.8 1.8

1 11 2.2 2.3 4.02 10 2.0 2.1 6.13 4 .8 .8 6.94 22 4.4 4.4 11.35 51 10.0 10.2 21.56 50 9.7 9.9 31.47 32 6.3 6.4 37.88 69 13.5 13.7 51.59 40 7.9 8.0 59.4Extremely Important 204 40.0 40.6 100.0Total 504 98.6 100.0

Missing System 7 1.4Total 511 100.0

Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Protecting the environment and open space

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Not Important at All 4 .7 .7 .7

1 9 1.7 1.7 2.42 2 .3 .3 2.73 13 2.6 2.6 5.44 21 4.1 4.2 9.65 31 6.1 6.2 15.76 25 4.8 4.9 20.67 57 11.2 11.3 31.98 112 21.9 22.1 54.09 39 7.7 7.8 61.7Extremely Important 194 37.9 38.3 100.0Total 506 99.1 100.0

Missing System 5 .9Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Road maintenance and repair

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Not Important at All 2 .3 .3 .3

2 2 .4 .4 .83 12 2.3 2.3 3.14 6 1.3 1.3 4.45 44 8.6 8.7 13.06 46 9.0 9.0 22.07 59 11.6 11.7 33.78 95 18.6 18.7 52.49 76 14.8 14.8 67.2Extremely Important 167 32.6 32.8 100.0Total 509 99.6 100.0

Missing System 2 .4Total 511 100.0

Importance as it relates to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek Public parks and Green Space

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Not Important at All 1 .2 .2 .21 6 1.1 1.1 1.42 4 .8 .8 2.23 27 5.2 5.2 7.44 11 2.3 2.3 9.65 29 5.6 5.6 15.26 24 4.6 4.7 19.97 67 13.1 13.1 33.08 81 15.8 15.8 48.89 82 16.0 16.0 64.8Extremely Important 180 35.1 35.2 100.0Total 510 99.8 100.0

Missing System 1 .2Total 511 100.0

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The safety of residents in your community.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Excellent 228 44.7 45.1 45.1Good 220 43.1 43.5 88.6Fair 45 8.7 8.8 97.4Poor 13 2.5 2.6 100.0Total 506 99.0 100.0

Missing Don't know 5 1.0Total 511 100.0

The affordability of Johns Creek as a place to live.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Excellent 25 4.8 4.8 4.8Good 206 40.4 40.6 45.5Fair 208 40.7 40.9 86.4Poor 69 13.5 13.6 100.0Total 508 99.4 100.0

Missing Don't know 3 .6Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek as a place to raise children.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Excellent 294 57.5 59.1 59.1Good 187 36.5 37.5 96.6Fair 15 3.0 3.0 99.7Poor 2 .3 .3 100.0Total 497 97.3 100.0

Missing Don't know 14 2.7Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Johns Creek as a place to age.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Excellent 98 19.1 20.8 20.8

Good 239 46.8 50.9 71.7Fair 89 17.4 18.9 90.7Poor 44 8.6 9.3 100.0Total 470 91.9 100.0

Missing Don't know 41 8.1Total 511 100.0

Job opportunities in Johns Creek.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Excellent 38 7.5 11.2 11.2Good 162 31.8 47.7 58.9Fair 93 18.3 27.4 86.3Poor 47 9.1 13.7 100.0Total 340 66.6 100.0

Missing Don't know 171 33.4Total 511 100.0

The quality of public education in Johns Creek.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Excellent 285 55.8 61.6 61.6Good 154 30.1 33.3 94.9Fair 19 3.7 4.0 98.9Poor 5 1.0 1.1 100.0Total 463 90.6 100.0

Missing Don't know 48 9.4Total 511 100.0

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The City Council is responsive to the community.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly agree 27 5.2 8.3 8.3

Agree 206 40.3 64.2 72.4Disagree 65 12.7 20.3 92.7Strongly disagree 23 4.6 7.3 100.0Total 321 62.8 100.0

Missing Don't know 190 37.2Total 511 100.0

The City Council is making the best decisions for the city’s future.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly agree 21 4.0 6.4 6.4

Agree 192 37.5 59.8 66.3Disagree 84 16.4 26.2 92.5Strongly disagree 24 4.7 7.5 100.0Total 321 62.7 100.0

Missing Don't know 190 37.3Total 511 100.0

The City Council is doing a good job of handling the city’s finances.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly agree 12 2.3 4.1 4.1

Agree 216 42.3 74.5 78.7Disagree 42 8.2 14.5 93.2Strongly disagree 20 3.9 6.8 100.0Total 290 56.8 100.0

Missing Don't know 221 43.2Total 511 100.0

Are you currently aware of or familiar with the projects or work performed by the Public Works Department?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 309 60.5 60.5 60.5

No 202 39.5 39.5 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job the Public Works Department is doing?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly approve 35 6.8 11.2 11.2

Approve 211 41.4 68.4 79.6Disapprove 39 7.5 12.5 92.1Strongly disapprove 3 .7 1.1 93.2

Don't know 21 4.1 6.8 100.0Total 309 60.5 100.0

Missing System 202 39.5Total 511 100.0

Are you currently aware of or familiar with the projects or work performed by the Community Development Department?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 145 28.3 28.3 28.3

No 366 71.7 71.7 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job the Community Development Department is doing?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly approve 6 1.2 4.4 4.4

Approve 67 13.2 46.5 50.9Disapprove 40 7.9 27.9 78.8

Strongly disapprove 22 4.3 15.0 93.9Don't know 9 1.7 6.1 100.0

Total 145 28.3 100.0Missing System 366 71.7Total 511 100.0

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The Johns Creek Police Department

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly approve 235 46.1 46.1 46.1

Approve 195 38.2 38.2 84.3Disapprove 33 6.5 6.5 90.8

Strongly disapprove 2 .3 .3 91.1Don't know 46 8.9 8.9 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

The Johns Creek Fire Department

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly approve 260 51.0 51.0 51.0

Approve 169 33.1 33.1 84.1Strongly disapprove 0 .0 .0 84.1Don't know 81 15.9 15.9 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

The 911 system

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly approve 129 25.3 41.7 41.7

Approve 171 33.4 55.1 96.8Disapprove 9 1.7 2.8 99.6

Strongly disapprove 1 .3 .4 100.0Total 310 60.6 100.0

Missing Don't know 201 39.4Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

There are shopping opportunities within easy walking distance of my home.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly agree 69 13.4 13.4 13.4

Agree 169 33.2 33.2 46.6Disagree 167 32.7 32.7 79.3

Strongly disagree 103 20.2 20.2 99.6Don't know 2 .4 .4 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

I am notified in advance of road repairs so I can make alternate travel plans if necessary.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Strongly agree 55 10.8 10.8 10.8

Agree 226 44.2 44.2 55.0Disagree 134 26.1 26.1 81.2Strongly disagree 40 7.8 7.8 89.0

Don't know 56 11.0 11.0 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Most new businesses in Johns Creek do very well.

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Strongly agree 28 5.5 5.5 5.5Agree 164 32.2 32.2 37.6

Disagree 78 15.3 15.3 52.9Strongly disagree 14 2.7 2.7 55.7

Don't know 227 44.3 44.3 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Johns Creek parks offer a wide variety of activities and events

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Strongly agree 88 17.1 17.1 17.1Agree 258 50.5 50.5 67.7Disagree 91 17.7 17.7 85.4

Strongly disagree 25 4.9 4.9 90.3Don't know 50 9.7 9.7 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

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AJC

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 74 14.5 100.0 100.0Missing System 437 85.5Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek Herald

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 190 37.2 100.0 100.0Missing System 321 62.8Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek Patch

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 78 15.3 100.0 100.0Missing System 433 84.7Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek Neighbor

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Mentioned 91 17.8 100.0 100.0Missing System 420 82.2Total 511 100.0

Atlanta TV stations

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Mentioned 99 19.4 100.0 100.0Missing System 412 80.6Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Johns Creek Newsletter

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 94 18.5 100.0 100.0Missing System 417 81.5Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek Website

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 95 18.6 100.0 100.0Missing System 416 81.4Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek City social media

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 120 23.4 100.0 100.0Missing System 391 76.6Total 511 100.0

Neighbors

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 221 43.2 100.0 100.0Missing System 290 56.8Total 511 100.0

Internet

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 237 46.5 100.0 100.0Missing System 274 53.5Total 511 100.0

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Have you visited the city of Johns Creek website in the past 6 months?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes, once or twice 187 36.6 36.6 36.6

Yes, 3-5 times 51 9.9 9.9 46.6

Yes, more than 5 times 21 4.2 4.2 50.7No 252 49.3 49.3 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

Do you recall having received the City of Johns Creek electronic newsletter?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 129 25.3 25.3 25.3

No 338 66.2 66.2 91.5Don't know 43 8.5 8.5 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

Are you registered to vote?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 431 84.3 84.3 84.3

No 76 14.9 14.9 99.2Don't know 4 .8 .8 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

PTA

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Yes 80 15.6 15.6 15.6No 431 84.4 84.4 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

Neighborhood Association meeting

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 199 38.9 38.9 38.9

No 312 61.1 61.1 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Religious service

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 241 47.1 47.1 47.1

No 270 52.9 52.9 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Public meeting held by local government

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Yes 92 18.1 18.1 18.1No 419 81.9 81.9 100.0

Total 511 100.0 100.0

Volunteer at community event

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 133 26.1 26.1 26.1

No 378 73.9 73.9 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Attended community event

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 264 51.8 51.8 51.8

No 247 48.2 48.2 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Johns Creek Art Festival

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Mentioned 182 35.6 100.0 100.0Missing System 329 64.4Total 511 100.0

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Summer Concert

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 79 15.6 100.0 100.0Missing System 432 84.4Total 511 100.0

Johns Creek International Festival

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 77 15.1 100.0 100.0Missing System 434 84.9Total 511 100.0

Touch a Truck

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 42 8.3 100.0 100.0Missing System 469 91.7Total 511 100.0

Movies at Newtown Park

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 59 11.6 100.0 100.0Missing System 452 88.4Total 511 100.0

Fall Family Festival

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Mentioned 71 13.9 100.0 100.0Missing System 440 86.1Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Easter Egg Dash

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 34 6.6 100.0 100.0Missing System 477 93.4Total 511 100.0

Event at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Mentioned 47 9.2 100.0 100.0Missing System 464 90.8Total 511 100.0

Involvement in community

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Very involved 21 4.2 4.2 4.2

Somewhat involved 244 47.7 47.7 51.9Not at all involved 226 44.2 44.2 96.1

Don't know 20 3.9 3.9 100.0Total 511 100.0 100.0

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Valid High school graduate or GED 79 15.5 15.6Some college or Associate's Degree 95 18.7 18.8

Bachelor's Degree (college graduate) 205 40.1 40.3Professional or graduate degree (Ph.D., Master's, Law Degree, MD)

129 25.2 25.4

Total 508 99.5 100.0Missing Don't know/Refused 1 .2

System 2 .3Total 3 .5

Total 511 100.0

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Do any children under the age of 18 live at your current residence?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Yes 235 46.0 46.2 46.2

No 271 53.0 53.2 99.4Don't know/Refused 3 .6 .6 100.0

Total 509 99.7 100.0Missing System 2 .3Total 511 100.0

How many years have you lived in Johns Creek?

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

Percent

Valid Less than a year 50 9.8 9.9 9.9One to two years 64 12.5 12.6 22.4

Three to five years 81 15.8 15.8 38.2Six to ten years 47 9.3 9.3 47.6More than 10 years 267 52.3 52.4 100.0

Total 509 99.7 100.0Missing System 2 .3Total 511 100.0

Current housing status? - Selected Choice

Frequency PercentValid

PercentCumulative

PercentValid Homeowner 418 81.8 82.0 82.0

Living with others who own or rent 2 .4 .4 82.5

Don't know/Refused 2 .3 .3 82.8Renter 88 17.1 17.2 100.0

Total 509 99.7 100.0Missing System 2 .3Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Race - recoded

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Black 47 9.2 10.5 10.5

White 283 55.4 63.4 73.9Other 117 22.9 26.1 100.0Total 447 87.4 100.0

Missing System 64 12.6Total 511 100.0

Gender

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid Male 240 47.0 48.2 48.2

Female 258 50.4 51.8 100.0Total 498 97.4 100.0

Missing Don't know/Refused 12 2.3System 2 .3Total 13 2.6

Total 511 100.0

Employment Status

Frequency Percent Valid PercentValid Self-employed 64 12.5 12.5

Military 0 .1 .1Working full time 319 62.5 62.7

Working part-time 15 2.8 2.8Unemployed 6 1.2 1.2Retired 60 11.7 11.7

Unable to work due to disability 1 .1 .1A homemaker 38 7.5 7.5

Don't know/Refused 7 1.4 1.4Total 509 99.7 100.0

Missing System 2 .3Total 511 100.0

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Age group

Frequency Percent Valid PercentCumulative

PercentValid 25 - 34 70 13.7 13.8 13.8

35 - 44 127 24.9 25.1 38.945 - 54 139 27.3 27.5 66.4

55 - 64 100 19.5 19.7 86.165 and older 71 13.8 13.9 100.0

Total 507 99.2 100.0Missing System 4 .8Total 511 100.0

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Appendix C – Survey Instrument

(Standard introduction including age and Johns Creek resident screener were included prior to the substantive content of the survey.)

Q1Thinking about your views of the quality of life in Johns Creek –

Do you feel the quality of life in Johns Creek is heading in the right direction, or do you feel it has gotten off on the wrong track?

Right directionWrong track UNSURE

IF Q1 NE 1, SKIP TO Q3

Q2Being as specific as you can, what is the most important reason why you feel the quality of life here in Johns Creek is headed in the right direction? (Randomly order first 10 items)

Low Cost of livingStrong EconomyGood education system/schoolsProtection of Environment/open spaceStrong sense of CommunityRate of DevelopmentAvailability of jobsGood quality of lifeSafe/low crime rateLow taxesOTHERDK/REFUSED

Skip to Q4

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Q3 Being as specific as you can, what is the most important reason why you feel the quality of life here in Johns Creek has gotten off on the wrong track? (Randomly order first 14 items)

High Cost of livingWeak EconomyPoor Education system/schoolsEnvironmental problems/lack of open spaceSense of CommunityRate of DevelopmentLack of JobsLow Quality of lifeHigh crime rate/unsafe neighborhoodsHigh TaxesOTHERUNSURE/REFUSED

Q4 In your opinion, is the economic situation in your area getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

Getting betterGetting worseStaying about the sameDK/NA

Q5 The follow is a list of issues facing many local governments. For each item, please indicate the importance of each of these issues is as they relate to your perceptions of conditions in Johns Creek.

(Randomize this list) (Paul: Use scale of 0 = Not at all important; 10 = Extremely important)

Dealing with traffic and congestionMaintaining public safety in the communityKeeping local taxes downProtecting the environment and open spaceRoad maintenance and repairPublic parks and Green Space

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Q6 Next, we would like you to rate some aspects of life in Johns Creek. Please rate each of these items as either excellent, good, fair or poor….

(List should be randomized) The responsiveness of the city governments to the needs of its residents?The safety of residents in your communityThe affordability of Johns Creek as a place to liveJohns Creek as a place to raise childrenJohns Creek as a place to age

Job opportunities in Johns Creek The quality of public education in Johns Creek

Now, thinking specifically about the Mayor and City Council of Johns Creek for a moment --

Q9 Please tell us if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements concerning the City Council.

[Rotate Order]

A. The City Council is responsive to the community.B. The City Council is making the best decisions for the city’s future.C. The City Council is doing a good job of handling the city’s finances.

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Disagree4. Strongly Disagree5. DK/NA

Q10Are you currently aware or familiar with the projects or work performed by the Public Works Department? (The department responsible for road paving and improvement, traffic management, and maintaining rights-of-way)

1. Yes2. No

IF Q10 = 2, SKIP TO Q12

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Q11Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job the Public Works Department is doing?

Strongly ApproveApproveDisapproveStrongly DisapproveDK/NA

Q12Are you currently aware or familiar with the projects or work performed by the Community Development Department? (the department responsible for zoning and planning)

Yes No

IF Q12 = NO, skip to Q14

Q13 Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job the Community Development Department is doing?

Strongly ApproveApproveDisapproveStrongly DisapproveUNSURE

Q14Please tell us if you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job each of the following departments is doing.

The Johns Creek Police DepartmentThe Johns Creek Fire DepartmentThe 911 system

Strongly ApproveApproveDisapproveStrongly DisapproveDK/NA

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City of Johns Creek – 2019 Community Survey Results

Q17 Please tell us whether you strongly disagree, disagree, agree or strongly agree with the following statements…

“There are shopping opportunities within easy walking distance of my home.”“I am notified in advance of road repairs so I can make alternate travel plans if necessary.”“Most new businesses in Johns Creek do very well.”“Johns Creek parks offer a wide variety of activities and events”

Q18Which sources would you say that you rely on the most for news about issues and projects in Johns Creek?

(Randomize first 10 items)Atlanta Journal ConstitutionJohns Creek HeraldJohns Creek PatchJohns Creek NeighborTV stations from AtlantaCity of Johns Creek NewsletterCity of Johns Creek WebsiteCity of Johns Creek Social MediaNeighborsInternet OTHER [If other, what]UNSURE/REFUSED

Q19Have you visited the city of Johns Creek website in the past 6 months?

Yes, once or twiceYes, 3-5 timesYes, more than 5 timesNo

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Q20Do you recall having received the City of Johns Creek electronic newsletter?

YesNoUNSURE/DK

Q21Are you registered to vote?

YesNoUNSURE/DK

Q23Over the past year, have you attended or participated in any of the following community activities?

The list below will be randomized.PTA meetingNeighborhood association meetingReligious service/eventPublic meeting held by a county or city governmentVolunteered to work at a community eventAttended a community event (specify ___________________)

IF RESPONDENT INDICATES THAT THEY VOLUNTEERED TO WORK OR ATTENDED A COMMUNITY EVENT, THE WEB SURVEY WILL ASK THE FOLLOWING:

Q23bDid you attend one of the following community events or some other event?

Johns Creek Arts FestivalSummer ConcertJohns Creek International FestivalTouch-a-TruckMovies at Newtown ParkFall Family FestivalEaster Egg DashEvent at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage CenterOTHER (specify ______________________)

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Q24Thinking about your community, how involved would you say you are? Are you…

Very involvedSomewhat involved, or…Not at all involved?DK

The following questions are used for statistical purposes only.

Q25In what year were you born? Q26Which of the following best describes your level of education?

1. Did not graduate from high school....2. High school graduate or GED....3. Some college or Associate's Degree...4. Bachelor's Degree (college graduate)5. Professional or graduate degree (Ph.D., Master's, Law Degree, MD)6. DK/NA

Q27 Do any children under the age of 18 live at your current residence?

Yes No

Q28How many years have you lived in Johns Creek?

Less than a year One to two yearsThree to five yearsSix to ten years More than 10 yearsUNSURE

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Q29Which of the following best describes your current housing status? Are you...

a HOMEOWNERa RENTER, or...LIVING WITH family or friends(RESPONDENT OFFERS) OtherDK/NA

Q30Are you…? (Select all that apply.)

1. White2. Black3. Hispanic/Latino4. Asian (specify _________________)5. Native American6. OTHER (specify ________________)7. DK/NA/REFUSED

Q31Are you…

MaleFemaleOther

Q32 Are you currently…

1. Self-employed2. Military3. Working full-time 4. Working part-time 5. Unemployed 6. Retired7. Unable to work due to a disability 8. A homemaker 9. DK/NA

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A G E N D A R E P O R T

To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

From: Brian O’Connor, TSPLOST Manager

Date: June 17, 2019 Work Session Meeting

Item: Jones Bridge Road (Waters Road to State Bridge Road) (TSPLOST) – Authorization for Design/Engineering/Community Input Phase and Traffic Study

Item SummaryPursuant to recent Council request, staff is prepared to begin the design/engineering/community input phase for the TSPLOST project for Jones Bridge Road (from Waters Road to State Bridge Road) if authorized by Council. Staff requests the use of the $150K budgeted in FY2019 for the effort to include up to $50K for a traffic study.

BackgroundJones Bridge Road (from Waters Road to State Bridge Road) was included as a Tier 1 TSPLOST project. The educational materials utilized leading up to the November 2016 referendum described the project as a widening from two to four lanes and may include improvements such as sidewalks, trails and landscaping.On several occasions Council has discussed authorizing staff to begin the design/engineering/community involvement phase for the project. Most recently, Council members Endres and Zaprowski have requested further discussion on the project. Additionally, Council and staff have received public comment and inquiries from citizens regarding the project.

Proposed AuthorizationBased on the recent requests from Council, staff revisited past Council discussions of the project. Staff acknowledges the balance Council faces between meeting the pressing need to address current operational and safety improvements for residents entering and exiting their neighborhoods as well as the longer-term capacity needs of the corridor as it functions in the City’s overall transportation system.

Staff suggests the Council could advance to engineering a concept for the roadway with a four-lane footprint(curb and gutter set at the edges of what would support four travel lanes) and simultaneously advance a striping plan for three-lanes (which would be implemented within the four-lane footprint). This forward-thinking approach has been used successfully by the City on Abbotts Bridge Road (between Jones Bridge Road and Parsons Road). On Abbotts Bridge Road, the City considered the sensitive residential context as well as the City’s overall traffic flow. The road edges on Abbotts Bridge Road (between Jones Bridge Road and Parsons Road) were set to make a future capacity (widening) project possible without having to reset curb/gutter or move pedestrian facilities. The striped goring, two travel lane, center two-way left turn lane, and bike lanes on Abbotts can be re-striped as four 11-foot travel lanes, if a future traffic study indicates the need for furthercapacity.

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For Jones Bridge Road, by engineering both the four-lane footprint and a three-lane striping plan, staff believes Council can attain both previously stated goals:

Current operational and safety concerns for residents entering and existing their neighborhoods

Future capacity needs of the roadway without having to remove/waste funds spent to address current concerns.

As part of the engineering, staff proposes working with a traffic engineering firm to determine an objective, traffic volume-based “trigger point” at which point Council would immediately consider if the roadway should be restriped to utilize the full footprint (with four-travel lanes).

Key components of the engineering scope of services would include: Collect traffic data along the corridor and at side road intersections along Jones Bridge Road (from

Waters Road to State Bridge Road) to evaluate the existing conditions. Side road intersections would include Waters Road, Buice Road, Dolvin Elementary, Indian Village (to address potential cut through traffic) and West Morton Road. Traffic data would need to include traffic counts for the weekday AM and weekday PM.

Process existing data and forecast traffic projections for projected build (opening) year and at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years beyond the build year.

Prepare traffic modeling for two alternates:A. Phase 1 three –lane striping alternative (two through lanes with a center turn lane providing

turn lanes along entire corridor).B. Four Lane (4 through lanes with turn lanes along entire corridor).

Complete an analysis of traffic conditions, as represented by appropriate performance measures including delay, level of service, travel times, average speed, and queue lengths.

Use analysis to determine the period of 5 years at which the three lane would fail, then study two of the years in between to figure out the exact year of failure.

Prepare a traffic study with recommendations and data supporting the analysis. Collect traffic data along the corridor during the period that the three lane is expected to fail, thus

comparing the expected model to the actual number of vehicles along the corridor.

Financial ImpactsTier 1 of the TSPLOST project list includes $11M for the widening of Jones Bridge Road from 2 to 4 lanes from Waters Road to State Bridge Road and $1M budgeted for FY19 (TS0105 in the TSPLOST Fund). Staff is requesting authorization to spend up to the $100K for concept/design/community input for the widening and up to $50K for the associated traffic study.

RecommendationStaff recommends authorizing design/engineering/public involvement on the Jones Bridge Road (from Waters Road to State Bridge Road) TSPLOST project. Staff recommends (1) engineering the roadway footprint at four travel lanes, (2) engineering an initial striping plan for two travel lanes with a center two-way left turn lane, and (3) engaging an on-call engineering firm to conduct a traffic study to provide an analysis of the three-lane section and determine at what point a re-striping plan should be immediately brought back to Council for a decision.

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