4 Quick Questions With City Councilwoman Dianne Fries

Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Dianne Fries is running for re-election of the District 2 seat. She talked with Patch, last week, before Ken Dishman qualified for candidacy to run against her. 

Q: If you are re-elected, what are some of the important issues that are on your mind?

A: To make sure that the downtown center keeps moving forward. For my district, I’m working with staff now on an overlay. I’m concerned about a three-mile area where I have 40 automotive uses – gas stations, and [auto parts] sales shop – that’s a lot.

Q: What do you have in mind about addressing that problem?

A: I’m certainly not going to take away any that we have, but I want to see if there is a way to protect us from getting flooded, and to make sure that we get good development up there.

Q: What else would you like to see in terms of development?

A: We put some pretty high density [apartments] in the area of North River, Winding River, to encourage people to come in. There are [several] apartments in that Dunwoody Place, Roberts Drive area. That’s too many in that location. I’d like to see a development like JLB [Partners at Roswell Road and Windsor Parkway] come this way.

Q: Developers and master planners have discussed luxury apartment rental prices of $1,800 to $2,000 at new developments that may come into Sandy Springs. Do you think some folks may get priced out of Sandy Springs and not be able to afford to live here in the future?

A: I have not gotten any hard feedback on what the prices will be. Young professionals don’t want to own houses. They want to live in condos or apartments. They want the health club right there, the swimming pool and entertainment. It’s just a different lifestyle.