M a r c h 2 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 7 , N o . 9
City leaders field election queries By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA
Impact Johns Creek President Nicole Washington introduces members of the Johns Creek City Council at the Feb. 16 open house at Memories Event Space on State Bridge Road.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Impact Johns Creek hosted an open house on Feb. 16 to bring community members together with city officials to discuss local issues, including the city’s study into running its own municipal elections this fall. The organization, dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the city, welcomed people to Memories Event Space for food, drinks and
conversation. Impact Johns Creek President Nicole Washington and President-elect Devon Dabney led the event. At the front of the room, Johns Creek councilmembers Larry DiBiase, Stacy Skinner and Erin Elwood fielded questions about plans for municipal elections. The topic has gained interest among North Fulton cities since Fulton County announced an increase in costs it plans to charge cities for
See PLANS, Page 4
Plans for new Tim Hortons location alarm residents, business owners By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Plans for a Tim Hortons coffee shop on the corner of State Bridge Road and Abberley Lane have disquieted residents of the subdivision next door, who are worried about noise and traffic congestion. Contract purchaser Abid Khutliwala intends to use a .84acre parcel for the location, which sits only a few feet away from the
Abberley Township gate. The property holds a joint-access easement, connecting Abberley’s private drive through a strip mall to the Goodwill parking lot, that would be used in the business’ drive-thru. Khutliwala owns commercial businesses in other cities, like Popeyes, Checkers and Moe’s Southwest Grill, but if the zoning application is approved, Tim Hortons would be Khutliwala’s first business in Johns Creek. He hopes to own more.
“There’s only two good cities in the area: Peachtree City and Johns Creek,” Khutliwala said. “And I’m already living in one.” Khutliwala is in the process of buying the property to begin development, a project with a price tag of at least $2 million. The Johns Creek Planning Commission has yet to give feedback on project plans. Following a deferral, Khutliwala requested the group meet April 10. Other locations have been considered, but Khutliwala said, “The
price points are so heavy that you can’t even touch it.” Public outcry A public input meeting took place in January, where over 20 Abberley Towneship residents voiced their concerns over the use of the easement. Khutliwala’s lawyer, Shaun Adams, confirmed another meeting around early March for residents who couldn’t attend the meeting at Johns Creek City Hall.
See LOCATION, Page 6