MANA Community Meeting notes

Notes from our June 16 meeting... with bullets by Bev Moore.

JULY 31 ELECTIONS

1) T-SPLOST
See local media and MANA website for information.

2) Annexation, Cityhood movements
Among many topics, Commissioner Rader discussed recent redistricting and encouraged us to educate our (effective January 1) House Representative, Rahn Mayo, to ensure that he is aware of our neighborhood's needs and concerns. Mr. Rader also talked about commercial properties in our area of DeKalb County that are important to the tax digest (in addition to Suburban Plaza, the Farmer's Market, Toco Hill, Executive Park, the news Emory Pointe development, etc.) and how annexation by nearby cities can harm our interests. There were some comments about what might be best for our area, and Mr. Rader mentioned an interesting case per a precedent set by the city of Gainesville, GA, where they annexed some residential properties but excluded their participation in their school system. Mr. Rader also clarified that as far as City of Decatur annexation desires, only residential property owners would get to vote (commercial property owners do not, neither do other nearby residents).

• Explained loss of some of his precincts to redistricting and gain of one, Brookhaven.
• July 31- Brookhaven cityhood vote. Gave history of legislative guidelines and described area that would become new city, if passed.
• Low density, single family household areas don’t generate enough tax base, so commercial areas are included in cities, which takes away higher value tax areas from county.
• Police, firefighters, and parks and rec would suffer budget pressure.
• Higher value tax bases are not distributed evenly across county.
• DeKalb County citizens need a way to address issues, including cities’ ability to annex commercial areas.
• Decatur mayor interested in annexing Suburban Plaza with new Walmart, Emory Commons, and Kroger shopping areas. Would not have to include residential areas in school system. Only residents of areas would have a vote.
• DeKalb has many tax exempt properties.
• City of DeKalb would stave off cityhood attempts, but legislature not likely to pass.
• We need to familiarize new legislators with these issues.

Those concerned about the many issues facing our county should attend the Candidate's Fair on July 9, sponsored by the Civic Association Network of Central DeKalb.

Lost Cat now found: Boo Boo

Boo Boo is now home, yay!

Agenda: MANA Second Quarter Community Meeting [June 16]

Agenda

1. Intro (Sharon Johnson)

2. Treasurer's Report (Judy Perras)

3. County Report: The Cityhood issues- Impact on DeKalb County if Brookhaven passes, some possible scenarios (Jeff Rader)

4. Zoning Report (Theresa Same)

5. Parks Updates (Sharon Johnson)

6. Medlock Area Tree Presentation: A look at the health of our aging tree population. (Dave Butler)

Suburban Plaza: land disturbance permit applied for

Via Deanne, some explanations about the permit process via Kathie Gannon's office:


From Commissioner Kathie Gannon's Office:
You may have heard that on Friday Wal-Mart applied for a land disturbance permit at Suburban Plaza. The engineering staff is reviewing the applicant’s engineering drawings and will provide comments back to the applicant on June 19th. After this initial review and comment meeting, the applicant will have an opportunity to revise their plans and resubmit them for further review and approval. The first set of plans and permits will only affect the demolition and land disturbance. Building design is not under consideration at this point. The land disturbance permit includes decisions affecting demolition, grading and clearing, sedimentation/erosion control, the installation of water/sewer and other utilities, drainage and the stormwater management plan, access points onto public streets, parking lot design, landscaping, outdoor lighting, and building footprints. Commissioner Gannon and Commissioner Rader have previously met with engineering staff and will continue to insist that all DeKalb ordinances and codes be strictly followed.

From Commissioner Jeff Rader's Office:
I just wanted you all to be aware that on June 8th, DeKalb County received an LDP application (A/P #17974) for demolition and land disturbance, the first steps of development of the Selig site at 2525 North Decatur Road.  The first Plan Review Comment Resolution meeting will be held on 6/19/2012.

Cyclist mugged, robbed on Medlock Rd.

Alarming report, occurred on Monday June 4 ~5pm; if you see anyone fitting the description of the assailants, please call 911.

Patch.com reports on this incident:

The 41-year-old victim was riding his bike near 800 Medlock Rd. at about 5pm when he saw two men walking in his direction, the police report said. He said he saw the first suspect whisper to the second, and as he passed them, the first suspect kicked him to the ground. ...The first suspect was described as a white male about 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 165 pounds, wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. The second suspect was described as a white male about 6 feet 2 inches tall, wearing blue jeans and a hoodie with the words "air force" on the front.

Walmart/Suburban Plaza protest

Good Growth Dekalb will resume their rally's at the six-way intersection at North Decatur Road, Scott Boulevard and Medlock Road from 5:00-6:30 p.m.: June 8, July 13, August 10
For more information see their website at http://goodgrowthdekalb.org/

DeKalb seeks volunteers for education SPLOST oversight committee

Copied in its entirety from http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-schools-seek-volunteers-1450785.html:

The DeKalb County School District is seeking residents to volunteer for a committee overseeing the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue program and related school construction.Apply online at http://goo.gl/ZfoSV. ... The deadline is June 17, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.Ideal volunteers on the 12-member panel would have experience in development-related fields or in finance, accounting, education or the law. Volunteers must meet at least two hours quarterly starting in August, and must pass a background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Education SPLOST budget issues have been recently covered by The Champion.

Also see the DeKalb County School System's SPLOST IV page.