3 Things To Know From Marietta City Council

MARIETTA, GA — The city of Marietta will see a new restaurant and coffee roastery duo, more traffic calming measures on some residential streets and more townhomes — but one townhome development was denied the rezoning necessary to start construction, and vetoed for further discussion by Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin.

Here's what you need to know from the Marietta City Council meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 11:

1. A restaurant and coffee roastery is coming to Sessions Street.

Council members approved a rezoning for the 1.13-acre Sessions Street property so it can be turned into a restaurant and coffee roastery for the existing Rev Coffee Roasters in Smyrna, owned by Jenn and Nick Bimmerle.

The Bimmerles are planning to move Rev Coffee Roasters to the property, which houses a vacant, 1920s-era warehouse; another adjacent warehouse and a smaller white building that's home to Lulu Belle fitness studio.

The Smyrna location will still operate as a coffee shop, and the Sessions Street roastery will be for production and storage. The Bimmerles also plan to turn the second warehouse into a restaurant operated by Micah and Katie Pfister, the couple who owned the recently-closed The Butcher The Baker on Marietta Square, The Marietta Daily Journal reported.

The Pfisters already operate the coffee and pastry shop Sessions Stand across the street from the warehouse, so now they'll have a larger space. The 75-seat restaurant will offer fast-casual breakfast and lunch. Outdoor green space, an eating area and more parking are also in the site plans.

2a. One townhome development was denied rezoning and vetoed for further discussion because the developer did not show up at meetings to talk with council members.

Council members voted to deny a rezoning request for an eight-home townhome development at the corner of Fairground Street and North Marietta Parkway, developed by Kamran Jalali. He would have added a private street in front of the townhomes, as well as an alley behind them.

The city's Planning Commission, which provides council members with its recommendations for project approvals or denials, previously recommended that council deny the rezoning. Planning Commission members were concerned about driveway length, parking spot size and stormwater drainage, according to The MDJ.

Jalali did not attend the city council work session Aug. 4, nor the official meeting last week. Some officials were offended, while others still wanted to hear from Jalali before voting. Council voted 5-2 to table the discussion.

But Tumlin exercised his mayoral right to veto a vote — a power he rarely invokes — and council ultimately denied the rezoning in a 4-3 vote after the veto. Jalali can resubmit an application in six months.

"He has not shown up twice," Tumlin said. "I don't think he deserves it to be tabled."

2b. Two other townhome developments were given the green light.

Council approved the final plats for another eight-townhome development on South Avenue, called Inglenook Walk, as well as a 51-townhome development on Powder Springs Street, called White Oaks. Construction can now move forward since final plats are approved.

Read more: Nearly 60 Townhomes Could Be Coming To Marietta

3. More traffic calming measures will be added to two residential streets, as well as street improvements in downtown Marietta.

Council approved the following road updates:

• The installation of brick medians, as well as new striping and signage to enhance the midblock crosswalk on Waddell Street.
• A total of eight speed tables on and around Tom Read Drive; Mary Lane; Seminole Place; McIntosh Avenue; McArthur Drive; and Roosevelt Circle.