DeKalb School Board sues, Eugene walks

The AJC reports that Eugene Walker has resigned as chair of the DeKalb Board of Education. The Board also voted to hire a lawyer (using taxpayer funds) to attempt to forestall suspension by the state following the Board's inability to meet criteria set by SACS. Please visit the AJC for their reports:

DeKalb County school board sues to avoid suspension, eliciting outrage from parents and employees

DeKalb’s Eugene Walker to relinquish school board chairmanship

Today! DeKalb Schools Community Meeting [Feb 19]

Curious or confused about the recent developments surrounding SACS accreditation and hearings with the State BOE? Board Member Marshall Orson will be available at this community meeting to provide information and discuss.

When: Tue, February 19, 7pm – 8pm
Where: Emory Presbyterian Church 1886 North Decatur Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia [map]

Last Chance Thrift Store update

Deanne alerted us that Last Chance Thrift Store has secured a new home nearby:

Click to enlarge.

For relocation information on other Suburban Plaza favorites (such as Decatur Estates and Wayback Antiques, Onstage Atlanta and Suburban Custom Awards and Framing), see our December 2012 zoning update.

Additional information on zoning board appeal

Selig Enterprises has issued a statement addressing the Suburban Plaza zoning board of appeals decision (download pdf).

There is ongoing discussion on this topic in the comments section of the Patch article that broke the news earlier this week.

Feb. 27 Update: Deanne alerted us to this article in The Champion
Suburban Plaza protestors lose appeal

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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