Fuqua Development: ideas for Scott Blvd. Baptist Church location

Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader met with neighborhood representatives for a brief update on the proposed development at the site of the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church (2532 N Decatur Rd.). The redevelopment is led by Fuqua Developers; the Fuqua team presented some drawings they note are are very preliminary at this stage.  A community meeting is being planned for early July and as soon as the date and location are settled, we will post that information here.

As proposed, the development covers 5.5 acres.

All ten homes on Barton Way are under contract.

A natural food store would serve as anchor.

The project is a mixed use development. In addition to retail, it would include 200 apartment units (5 stories high).

The large square on the North Decatur Rd. side would be a natural grocery store. Overall, retail is on the periphery,  parking is in the middle (2 levels), and residential on the back and adjacent to the grocer.

View from North Decatur Rd. Retail in front, apartment building visible on the back.

View of the North Decatur/Scott intersection shows a wide buffer from traffic, with wide sidewalks and outdoor sitting. 

Scott Blvd. side. Apartment buildings visible on background.

Medline LCI: redevelopment, walkability, and wellness

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has shared a Google Earth map of the Medline Livable Centers Intitiative project. Per the ARC, the Medline 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."

Medline LCI (orange boundary), per Atlanta Regional Commission's Google Earth map. Pink line marks the City of Decatur Town Center study boundary. A yellow asterisk marks the Medlock/North Decatur/Scott Blvd intersection, relative to which the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church is almost at 12 o'clock. Suburban Plaza more or less spans 1-3 o'clock. Click to enlarge.

The  Medline study will not be ready in time to steer the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza or of the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church property. Even so, these projects have and will continue to face scrutiny by County planning and review by the Commissioners, whose decisions will be informed by the goals of the Medline LCI study.

Community discussions about the Medline LCI study will begin soon, once the contractor who will lead the study is hired.

MANA community meeting notes [June 18]

The meeting took place on June 18 at North Decatur Presbyterian Church. Please mark your calendar for our next meeting, October 21, 7pm, same venue.

Agenda
Welcome and introductions: Lynn Ganim (MANA VP)
Cityhood initiatives: Davis Fox (Commissioner Gannon's Office)
City of Briarcliff Initiative (Herman Lorenz)
Zoning Updates: Theresa Same (MANA Zoning)
Senior Activities (Lifelong Communities): Kathryn Firago (MANA Senior Outreach)
Schools: Tanya Myers (MANA Education) and Natalie Caudle (N. Druid Hills Charter Cluster Initiative)
Neighborhood Watch (Nextdoor): Barbara Dalton (MANA Neighborhood Watch)
Membership kick-off: Judy Perras (MANA Treasurer)

The meeting began with introductions by VP Lynn Ganim, followed by a very thorough "cityhood primer" presented by Davis Fox, who works with Commissioner Kathie Gannon. Mr. Fox gave context to the cityhood movement in the Atlanta area, and answered questions from the audience [to be posted later this week].

It's gonna be a long day!

Welcome to summer! If today feels long, it's because it is...

via http://www.timeanddate.com/

Feel like celebrating? People often do. See http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/june-solstice-customs.html.

Earth's tilt varies, with the solstices showing maximum tilt to the sun in summer,
and away from the sun in winter. Our northern summer solstice means
we've just reached maximum tilt to the sun. From here on, we march towards
equinox (meaning "equal night"--to denote the length of day and night are
about the same) and the winter solstice (max tilt away from the sun).
Image from http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/?n=clifeatures_summersolstice2010

Photo by Gregg Kemp, Manteo, NC, June 21-Sept 23, 2006.
Image via http://www.solargraphy.com/
index.php?option=com_sol_search&task=view&id=60&Itemid=23

NOAA's website reminds us that seasonal changes are caused by the earth's tilt and not by Earth's orbit dramatically swinging us closer or farther from the sun.

Solargraphs capture the sun's path across the sky over time (hours, even months). The image to the right shows the sun's path between June (higher parts of the "sun band") and September (lower parts). The source of this image, http://www.solargraphy.com/, also includes how-to instructions for making inexpensive pinhole cameras. For many more striking solargraphs, visit this Flicker stream.

Eventually, sunflowers agree that east is best.

It is not only humans who like to keep an eye on the sun. Many plants display heliotropism (orienting leaves or flowers to track the sun). Sunflower plants turn to follow the sun when they are young, usually while flowers remain at the bud stage. Once the plant matures and the stem becomes woody (to better support the heavy flower heads), the flower fixes eastward. So, if you get disoriented, seek directions from friendly neighbors... or mature sunflowers. 

p.s. Time to break out the sunblock!

Dog found (Superior / N. Decatur Rd.)

Archie is found! Will be home for dinner.
Yay!

Peach Jam 2013 [June 26-30]

Look to your nearby farmer's market for Peach Jam 2013 events [http://www.farmatl.org/events/peach-jam-2013/]!

Image via https://www.facebook.com/Slow.Food.Atlanta

If you would like to participate in any of the competitions, you need to register:

"PEACH JAM 2013 is a four day celebration of Georgia's favorite fruit, the peach, brought to you by Slow Food Atlanta and Community Farmers Markets. 

Guest attendance is free at all events. Samples of each category can be purchased at the markets on the day of the events.  This registration is for competitors only.  

Peach BBQ sauce competition
Wednesday, June 26th: 5-7 pm
Pig Roast and Peach BBQ sauce competition at the Decatur Farmers Market. Professional level entrants, limited to 25 participants. Registration is $25 and includes peaches.
163 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 

Cocktail competition
Thursday, June 27th: 5:30 -7 pm 
Cocktail competition conjunction with the Midway Pub and the East Atlanta Farmers Market. Professional level entrants, limited to 25 participants. Registration is $25 and includes peaches.
561 Flat Shoals Ave, Atlanta Ga 30316 

Peach cook-off
Saturday, June 29th: 10 am - 12 pm
Peach cook-off (all things peach) at East Lake Farmers Market.  Amateurs and professionals welcome, limited to 25 participants. Registration is $25 and includes a bag of peaches.
Corner of Second Avenue and Hosea L. Williams Drive
Atlanta, GA 30317 

Cobbler Competition
Sunday, June 30th: 11 am - 12:30 pm
Cobbler Competition, parade, and festival games at the Grant Park Farmers Market. Amateurs and professionals welcome, limited to 25 participants. Registration is $20 and includes peaches.
In historic Grant Park, 600 Cherokee Ave Atlanta Ga 30312 

All recipes should include fresh, Georgia Peaches.  Prizes vary based on event, but include fame and fortune!
Individual event details will be emailed after registration.  Questions? Contact peachjamatlanta@gmail.com" 

Zoning Code Update Public Info Meeting [June 18]

via Commissioner Larry Johnson's office. Click to enlarge.

See other zoning code update posts on MANA's website.