ABC Update: BoC Meeting Review and Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities
Notes and highlights from this week's BOC meeting and upcoming advocacy opportunities
Kennesaw’s final public input meeting on Accessory Dwelling Units is TONIGHT
The City of Kennesaw’s final (of three) scheduled town hall discussions on a potential policy allowing accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, is this Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive.
Per the city’s announcement of these meetings on Facebook: The City of Kennesaw invites residents to upcoming meetings to learn about a proposed ordinance allowing ADUs in residential zoning districts. Join us for an overview, live polling and your chance to ask questions. … Whether you own, rent, or are simply interested, your feedback matters! Questions? Contact Planning and Zoning at 770-590-8268 or zoningdept@kennesaw-ga.gov.
We encourage Kennesaw residents to attend Wednesday’s meeting to learn more about the city’s intentions on ADUs and give your feedback to support ADUs!
Tuesday, Aug. 12th Board of Commissioners Review
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the county Board of Commissioners met for their first monthly Regular Meeting at 9AM.
You can watch the meeting in the video below.
Here are the highlights from Tuesday morning’s meeting:
Presentations (4 items)
Public Comment Round 1 (10 speakers, up to 3 minutes each on any topic)
Only 5 speakers spoke
Consent Agenda (40 items)
One transit-related item of note was included in the Consent Agenda, the items in which are typically approved by one vote of the commissioners present unless one or more commissioners call for a separate vote on one or more items:
Item 13: To approve a three-year contract with Controlled Access, Inc., for a video surveillance system for CobbLinc transit facilities, to include three one-year renewal options for maintenance and support services.
According to county documents, Cobb currently has multiple camera systems installed at key transit facility locations, and these existing security camera systems have exceeded their useful lives. To improve its surveillance capabilities for increased protection of the public and county assets, and to ensure security system compatibility between the various CobbLinc transit facilities, Cobb DOT is seeking replacement of the existing system with a new upgraded video surveillance system, which will be installed at key CobbLinc transit facility locations, including the Marietta and Cumberland transfer centers.
Regular Agenda (13 items)
Transportation tab, Item 47: To adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant Program application for FY26 to the Georgia Department of Transportation for Cobb Parkway (SR 3/US 41) Pedestrian Bridge.
According to county documents, the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID) is among those pushing for construction of a
pedestrian bridge over Cobb Parkway at Battery Avenue. This would be an elevated crossing for pedestrians to safely travel over Cobb Parkway.
Cobb says the state’s fiscal 2026 budget includes funding in the
Local Roads Administration (LRA) budget program for assistance with Pedestrian Safety, with $2 million being the maximum GDOT funding potentially available for this project with no local match is required.
But the bridge’s possible price tag is not included in the agenda item related to submission of the LMIG grant, which says that the county itself has not committed any funding for this project. All costs associated with this project, county documents say, will be funded by state or federal funds, CCID funding, or other sources identified by the County or the CCID. County documents say commissioners this past September approved the consulting agreement for preliminary engineering design for the bridge, so a ballpark figure for the bridge that would more easily allow pedestrians to go to and from the ballpark (Truist Park) and The Battery Atlanta mixed-use development is likely a few innings away. (See what we did there.)
A Better Cobb previously highlighted the pedestrian-unfriendly areas along Cobb Parkway for those going to or from The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park, so movement toward funding a pedestrian bridge that may address some of those issues is a positive step. ABC will continue to monitor this project moving forward.
Appointments & Announcements (3 items)
We understand that these 9AM meetings are difficult to attend, but we hope to see you at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on August 26th at 7PM!
Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities and Events
For all calendar events and updates, check out our events page and click the button to subscribe to our calendar!
Wednesday, Aug. 13th 630PM: Kennesaw ADU Town Hall at Ben Robertson Community Center; 2763 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA
Thursday, Aug. 14th 630PM: Erick Allen Town Hall at Scouting America Atlanta Area Council; 1800 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, GA
Monday, Aug. 18th 3PM: Elections Board Meeting at BoC Meeting Room; 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA
Monday, Aug. 18th 530PM: Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment Meeting at Smyrna Community Center; 1250 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna, GA
Wednesday, Aug. 20th 6PM: A Better Cobb August Social: Marietta Sip & Stroll starting at Third Door 131 Church Street Marietta, GA
Tuesday, Aug. 26th 7PM: Board of Commissioners 2nd Monthly Meeting at BoC Meeting Room; 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA
Surveys open for public participation:
Take the Kennesaw ADU Survey here: https://qrco.de/bg7ufd
Take the GDOT survey for passenger rail between Atlanta and Savannah here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7e5dfd33b88040eeb0799a2343e6162d
As always, let us know if you see any upcoming meetings or areas for advocacy so we can add them to the list!