Alpharetta Allows Matilda's To Hold Outdoor Concerts

ALPHARETTA, GA — The Alpharetta City Council at its Monday meeting voted to approve a rezoning request that would allow Matilda's to continue holding outdoor concerts at The Porch. Council members approved the request to rezone about 2.2 acres at 531 South Main Street from C1 Neighborhood Commercial) to DTMU (Downtown Mixed Use) to allow both The Porch and Matilda's to operate in the space.

The property is currently home to the Earl Wood House, a 3,456-square-foot facility with Southern farmhouse architecture built in 1919, and a 2,200-square-foot barn, according to city documents.

Along with the outdoor music venue, the Council's approval will allow The Porch to use the barn, Earl Wood House and outdoor areas of the site to host special events such as weddings and birthday parties. The special events facility would not operate the same time as The Porch's normal hours of operation or when Matilda's is hosting a show.

The Porch On South Main, an antique and home decor business, has been operating at the location since 2013, and Matilda's has been holding outdoor concerts at the site through a temporary use permit.

Matilda's, which recently won approval to set up shop in Milton, plans to alternate shows between both locations Friday and Saturdays from April to November, the city said. Alpharetta leaders approved the proposal with several conditions, including:

• The facility shall be limited to a maximum capacity of 200 people at any one time.
• Conditional use approval shall be limited to The Porch and Matilda’s outdoor music venue.
• Hours of operation for Matilda’s music venue shall be limited to 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday from April to November.
• Special events facility and outdoor music venue operations shall not overlap.
• The Porch special event facility shall cease operations no later than 11 p.m.
• Property owner shall provide a dumpster within an enclosure prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the barn.
• City staff may require parking attendants for all events, if deemed necessary based on documented complaints and/or traffic issues.
• Property owner shall provide for the regular maintenance of grass areas used for parking. Thinning or bare areas shall be stabilized within 14 days as approved by staff. If Alpharetta finds in the future that the grass parking areas are not being maintained, all required parking shall be paved.
• There shall be no outside storage on the property. Equipment associated with the special event facility and outdoor music venue, including chairs, tents, portable restrooms, stage, signage and other equipment, shall be removed from the property within 24 hours of completion of an event.

Councilman Donald Mitchell said everyone in the city is glad to see Matilda's continue to have a presence in Alpharetta as well as opening a new home in Milton. Matilda's held its first concert at its Milton venue on Saturday, Sept. 22 with a show by Farewell Angelina.

"Welcome back to Alpharetta," Mitchell said. "It feels like you never left. I think a lot of people are gonna be happy that Matilda's is back where they belong, in Alpharetta. We're happy to share you with Milton, but you belong here in our city. You're like the back porch where everybody can get comfortable, so pairing you up with the Front Porch is a good thing, so welcome back."

Mayor Jim Gilvin echoed those sentiments, adding he believed he doesn't see any issues occurring, but noted he believed the nearby property owners "have a right to enjoy their property as well."

"I don't foresee any issues, but I'm sure you'll bend over backwards to make sure they don't occur," he added.

You can follow Matilda's schedule by visiting its website and Facebook page.

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