Fuqua plans for Scott Blvd. Baptist Church

As noted in previous posts, Fuqua Developments wishes to convert the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church property (2532 N Decatur Rd.) into a mixed use development. As proposed, the development raises questions about its effect on traffic at the Church St./Scott Bldvd./North Decatur Road intersection and impact on the quality of life and property values for Blackmon Drive residents.

image via DecaturMetro

Fuqua filed its preliminary plan for the development in mid-July. In contrast to previous discussions, this plan shows 260 residential units (vs. ~200 mentioned at a community meeting).

⇠ DecaturMetro has shared an image of the public notice that is now posted at the site. The Community Council meeting is the first step of the review process, as outlined in this 2011 DeKalb County document: Rezoning, Land Use Amendment, Special Land Use Permit, and Major Modification Process. Generally speaking, the plan can change many times during the process. If a plan appears likely to be denied, the developer may opt to withdraw the application (because a rejected proposal means the site will be locked out of further consideration for a year).

Overlay of Fuqua plan (per County records, see below) on Scott Blvd. Baptist Church and nearby residences.
Fuqua map matched to Google map as closely as possible, per main roadways.

As noted elsewhere, Fuqua has the Scott Boulevard property and homes on Barton Way under contract, contingent on the approval of their proposal. Under this plan, Barton Way disappears.

Per County records, the site is being designed by Pieper O'Brien Herr, whose website shows examples of mixed development projects. Photos of Fuqua's site plan, as submitted to the County, appear below.

Plans drawn by Pieper O'Brien Herr Architects,
dated July 11, 2013. Click to enlarge.
For larger version of this file, click here

Site Calculations: click to enlarge.
For an larger version of this file, click here.

Site plan: click to enlarge. For larger version of this file, click here.

Another great MANA pool party

Big thank you to all the MANA volunteers who make this year's pool party possible! Special kudos and thanks to Emily (MANA social chair) and Adrianne, Barb (for Community BBQ arrangements) and to Stephen and Judy for sponsoring the King of Pops cart.

Druid Hills Charter Cluster Petition Vote [Aug 13]

Tuesday August 13th is voting day for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster petition. This vote will take place from 4-8pm at Druid Hills High School. The petition can be reviewed online; an executive summary is also posted.

Visit the FAQ for answers to questions such as:

"What is a Cluster?
A Cluster is a group of feeder schools that feed into a middle school and ultimately a high school.  A lot of Cluster's have more than one middle school that feed into one high school.  The Druid Hills High School Cluster is unique in that it has 5 elementary schools that feed into only 1 middle school, Druid Hills Middle.  Druid Hills Middle feeds into Druid Hills High School.
What is a Charter school?
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public funding (and like other schools, may also receive private donations).  They are subject to some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools, but generally have more flexibility than traditional public schools.  Charter schools are expected to produce certain results, set forth in each school's charter.  In exchange for flexibility, charter schools receive less funding and although they provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition.
What is a Charter Cluster?
In 2005 the State of Georgia passed a law that allowed Clusters of schools to apply for what is called a Charter Cluster.  This would allow all of the schools in the High School Cluster (elementary, middle and high) to run as an entire Charter together.
What schools are in the Druid Hills Cluster?
Avondale Elementary, Briar Vista Elementary, Fernbank Elementary, Laurel Ridge Elementary, McLendon Elementary, Druid Hills Middle School & Druid Hills High School.  Continue reading @ http://www.druidhillschartercluster.org/faq"

The group also has a Facebook page.

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve featured

Hear about it at http://wabe.org/post/getting-away-atlanta-atlanta

Lost cat [July 27]

via Pat Camp:

Large orange and white male cat has been missing since July 27. Gordon is seven years old and lives on Willivee Drive. He was wearing a blue collar with a tag. Please call Vicki White at 404 660 2842.

We have had a number of cats missing in the neighborhood quite recently -  3 of them orange or tabby.

Also -  folks -  it would be good if you could check your crawl space and / or shed in case Orange ran in when door was open.

Lost Cat [July 27]

Please be on the lookout for this lost kitty:

My family is asking for you to be on the lookout for our domestic short hair cat.  Tweek is a 10 year old large orange tabby male cat who has been missing since Saturday, July 27. He lives on Brengare Drive and has a collar.  He loves for people to give him pets, so he goes door to door to get them.  He usually is home for meals but we have not seen him. Please call Aimee at (404) 931-9376 (same number on his collar).

Pollinator snack bar

This buttonbush at Medlock Park is certainly drawing a crowd: there's an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly, a couple bumblebees, a small bee, and a silver-spotted skipper.