Key points:
• Frank Roberts and Michelle Sullivan are facing off in a municipal runoff election for Sandy Springs City Council District 4.
• The candidates took part in a forum sponsored by Rough Draft that can now be viewed on YouTube.
Sandy Springs City Council District 4 candidates Frank Roberts and Michelle Sullivan said they want to see redevelopment that provides affordable and attainable housing in the city.
Sullivan and Roberts participated in a live-streamed candidates’ forum sponsored by Rough Draft Atlanta that’s now available on YouTube. A forum with mayoral candidates Rusty Paul and Dontaye Carter also is posted on Rough Draft’s YouTube page.
Related story:
• 2025 Election Guide: Sandy Springs
Housing Options
Roberts said the price of property makes affordable housing options a problem.
“Affordable housing is becoming more and more non-existent in Sandy Springs, and that needs to change, probably [with] a zoning variance of some sort, maybe an incentive for developers to set aside certain areas for affordable housing,” Roberts said.
Sullivan said she’s an advocate for housing that meets all residents’ needs, and she will support developments that align with community needs. Partnerships and shared resources with county government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations like the Council for Quality Growth can help guide the city to attainable housing, she said.
Both candidates said they believed the upcoming five-year update to the city’s Next Ten comprehensive plan will be an opportunity to target areas that need and welcome redevelopment.
“I believe some of the projects with the Next Ten are going to help with the growth and the economic growth in our district, and the residents will be able to still have that community neighborhood feel right in their own area,” Sullivan said.
Traffic woes
Roberts believes setting proper timing for the traffic lights at the Abernathy Road and Roswell Road intersection could reduce traffic congestion that often backs up to Glenridge Drive. Similar adjustments at other intersections could ease congestion, he said.
Sullivan said the city should use the suggestions in its traffic management plan to reduce congestion and keep pedestrians safe.
Asked how the candidates would shield neighborhoods that are next to Georgia 400 from the chaos of the 400 Express Lane project that will begin in 2026, Roberts reminded viewers that it is a Georgia Department of Transportation project. He said when Georgia 400 was expanded, the city tried to get sound barriers installed to reduce the noise of the equipment being used. This will be a long, ongoing project that he said the city will do what it can to help residents.
Sullivan said the city should implement its traffic study’s suggestions. She said adjusting the times the loud noises are allowed in peak hours could help. It comes down to communicating with the neighbors to spot the problems and create solutions, she said. Police assistance might also be used to navigate traffic during peak times.
Asked what unique role they would create within the city, Roberts agreed with Sullivan’s choice.
“If I could create a role, I would create an ambassador role that welcomes new residents to Sandy Springs and shows them around Sandy Springs, introduces them to certain parts of Sandy Springs, gives them the history of Sandy Springs, makes them feel welcome to Sandy Springs,” Sullivan said.
Roberts said the city needs someone to help new residents find conveniences such as medical staff, the close proximity of city hall, lots of parks and recreation, and restaurants.
Final thoughts
Sullivan said her goal on the city council would be to help Sandy Springs embrace cultural and economic diversity that comes with population growth.
Roberts said his law enforcement career gives him an informed perspective that will serve the city well. He said the next city council will have business executives, a lawyer, and an educator, and he will bring a unique perspective.
Early voting in the runoff election for the council seat begins Saturday, Nov. 22, and ends Nov. 26. The Sandy Springs Library at 395 Mount Vernon Highway and the North Fulton Service Center at 7741 Roswell Road will be early voting sites within the city. Election day will be Dec. 2 at normal polling places.
The post Sullivan, Roberts want affordable housing in Sandy Springs appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.
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