Recycling event [Mar 2]

via City of Decatur

Zoning BOA rejects appeal

Timothy Darnell at North Druid Hills-Briarcliff Patch reports that

The DeKalb Zoning Board of Appeals has rejected an appeal by a local organization fighting the construction of a Walmart Supercenter in Suburban Plaza. ... The project is now cleared to move forward, unless Good Growth DeKalb decides to file additional lawsuits to block the project. Read the rest @ Patch.

Additional info about DeKalb Medical / Suburban Plaza / Patel Plaza-area LCI

via Commissioner Rader...

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Decatur, Ga. DeKalb Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader are pleased to announce that DeKalb County has been awarded a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) planning grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission for the area surrounding Suburban Plaza. The planning study will bring together citizens, businesses and property owners to reach a consensus on future developments and public improvements in the area. The study area includes portions of Scott Boulevard and North Decatur Roads from Medlock to DeKalb Industrial Way, as well as Church Street.

The study area includes the campus of DeKalb Medical, Suburban Plaza, Patel Plaza and nearly 30 acres of vacant car lots. “This location is excellent and it is vastly underutilized,” said Gannon. “I believe this area can be successfully redeveloped for mixed-use developments that will bring new vibrancy and improve the quality of life for the surrounding residential areas.”

“This area developed as one of the regions first suburban commercial corridors in the early 1970’s,” said Rader.  “The character of the area has changed and it is time to re-imagine and plan for the future development in this important gateway to Decatur and DeKalb.”

The study area is near several large employment centers and is served by MARTA and the Cliff shuttle buses that run to the Clifton Corridor. In addition the area could serve as a magnet for senior housing with its close proximity to DeKalb Medical, the VA Hospital, and Emory University Hospital. “We believe the area can be a solid location for housing,” said Gannon. “The challenge will be bringing employers and creating an environment that is more pedestrian oriented.” 

“The redevelopment of Suburban Plaza proves there is a good demand for retail space,” said Rader. “The LCI planning process will ensure that the surrounding communities can have some input in how the area develops in the future.” 

Gannon and Rader have been working on this project for more than two years and had filed for an LCI before Wal-Mart announced their intentions to locate in Suburban Plaza. The study will have little if any impact on Wal-Mart, but the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza will likely encourage additional retailers to be interested in the area. In addition there are numerous vacant car lots that need redevelopment. A number of local businesses pledged to support the LCI study: DeKalb County Hospital Authority, DeKalb Medical, Selig Enterprises, Patel Brothers and the City of Decatur.

The next step will be for DeKalb County to request proposals for consultants to conduct the study, which will review future land use and transportation opportunities. LCI studies often result in new zoning regulations and transportation improvements. The nationally recognized ARC program is intended to create developments that reduce the Atlanta region’s dependence upon automobiles. Studies usually require 9-12 months to complete.

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Ivy, go home!

Medlock Forest Ivy Platoon was at it again this weekend, fighting the scourge of English ivy near the PATH entrance. Here's some of their fine work. Thanks, all!

At the PATH's entrance, these trees say "thank you!" 

Additional ivy removal is scheduled for February 16 and 23, noon - 3pm. Meet at the community garden on the corner of Willivee and Scott Circle. Loppers, machetes, hand saws and pruning shears were the most useful tools at the last event. For comfort and safety, please wear long sleeves and pants.

Bagged and tagged.

Yep, it grows alll the way up there, then it blooms and makes seeds that the birds spread.
But this one won't be bloomin' no mo'.

Here, a demonstration of "The Ivy Whisperer" approach.

"Shoulders and ankles"--that's how you do it!

All photos courtesy of Barb.

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve Work Day [Feb 10]

The Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve is having a volunteer day on Sunday Feb. 10, from 10am - 1pm to continue to clear dead privet from along Pine Bluff Rd.

DeKalb school board names interim superintendent

After first failing to muster a majority, the DeKalb school board tried a second time Friday and by a 5-4 vote approved a separation agreement that pays Atkinson $114,583 to leave. Then, they voted 7-2 to approve an employment agreement with Michael Thurmond, a former Georgia lawmaker who went on to become state labor commissioner. Read the rest @ AJC.

Some commenters in school-related blogs (DeKalb School Watch, AJC's Get Schooled) suggest that Thurmond is not a good choice due to long-term ties to the embattled DeKalb School Board but the AJC article states that

Marshall Orson, who unseated McChesney to become one of the three new board members this year, said he’s the one who brought up Thurmond’s name. No one else had considered him, Orson said. 

Orson had seen Thurmond speaking publicly and in small groups over the years, and was impressed.

“He just had a way about him that drew people in,” Orson said. He said Thurmond’s lack of an educational leadership background seemed an asset, given the withering criticism of the public these days for so-called “educrats.”

For additional comments by Thurmond and others, including a brief biography for  Mr. Thurmond, see the AJC.

DeKalb Medical Center-area LCI approved!

This is great news for our area! Selig Enterprises contributed $5,000 to the County to help qualify for this grant.  This contribution came out of negotiations by MANA and the surrounding neighborhoods with Selig and Walmart.

Per the press release, LCI's (Livable Center Initiatives)

...help these communities create new plans for quality growth and help develop innovative policies that support more vibrant, connected communities. Once their studies and plans are complete, these communities will be eligible for additional LCI funding for transportation projects needed to implement their plans. 

See the press release from the Atlanta Regional Commission at http://www.atlantaregional.com/about-us/news-press/press-releases/0e77e470-34ee-4a38-895e-ff7bd5dc4a0a

Nine Metro area communities received awards, including the corridor around DeKalb Medical Center:

Medline Regional Activity Center 

Award amount: $120,000
Sponsor: DeKalb County
Contact: Cedric Hudson, Planning Administrator,
Phone/Email: (404) 371-2789, chudson@dekalbcountyga.gov 

This study focuses on the area around DeKalb Medical Center and will plan for redevelopment of underutilized and vacant properties to create a variety of housing options and an appropriate mix of commercial, office and retail. The study will incorporate Lifelong Communities concepts and the establishment of a “wellness district” for the DeKalb Medical Center area. Additionally, the plan will address sidewalk and bicycle facilities along the major corridors in the area to create a more walkable center and to improve connections to MARTA bus routes and Emory’s Cliff shuttle.