Zoning Code Review Schedule (updated deadlines)

Davis Fox at Commissioner Gannon's office shared this information (Aug. 13 Planning and Economic Development meeting) outlining coming milestones for  DeKalb County's new zoning code. For some insight as to the changes that are being proposed, see our other posts on the zoning code update.

New Zoning Code Review Schedule (August 13, 2013)
· August 21st Board of Commissioners agenda item for the proposed zoning code will be deferred to November 

· August 29th - Complete legal review by Law Department and outside counsel Jarrard and Davis 

· September 10th – Planning Department presents revisions to Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Board of Commissioners 2PM Maloof Bldg 5th Floor 

· September 15th -  Pond and Company completes revisions and posts revised code on County website 

· September 16th – Public meeting specifically on cell towers (time and place TBD) 

· September 24th - Planning Department presents revisions to Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Board of Commissioners 2PM Maloof Bldg 5th Floor 

·  October 7th – Public meeting to discuss zoning code. Time and place TBD, but probably an evening meeting at Maloof auditorium. Same format as previous meeting with discussion tables. 

·  October 10th – Pond completes final revisions 

·  November 7th – Planning Commission Public Hearing (night meeting) 

·  November 19th – Board of Commissioners Public Hearing (night meeting) 

·  January 1, 2014 – Effective date for new zoning code 

·  August – December – Staff training on revised code, procedures and fees 

Davis Fox
Policy and Projects Manager for
DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon for District 6

Colder than Alaska!

Weather.com's Cool Weather Lingers in the Southeast item includes this interesting factoid:

On Friday, Atlanta recorded its fifth coolest August high temperature on record with a high of just 67 degrees. Atlanta was also three degrees cooler than Fairbanks, Alaska on Friday!

Reporter Nick Wiltgen explains the unusually cool weather is caused by the jet stream pulling cold air from Canada:

This pattern, officially called "cold-air damming" but informally called the "wedge," is often associated with freezing rain and ice storms in the winter. It rarely occurs in early-mid August. 

Our weekend forecast: cloudy, rainy, highs in the 60's / low 70's, frisky for puppies and choked-up for lawnmowers.

AJC's "30 Restaurants in 30 Days" covers Golden Corral

I'm always struck that Golden Corral searches land so many people on the MANA website...

... so I was pleased to see that John Kessler @ AJC has reviewed the North DeKalb Mall location. The comment section rounds up the review.

Workday at Ira B Melton Park [Sept 7, 9-11am]

via Valerie Boss...

Friends of Ira B Melton Park will host a workday on Saturday, September 7, 9:00-11:00 am. The park entrance is on Desmond Road across from Park Lane. All are welcome. Boy Scout troop 534 will join us as we spread gravel on the trail, remove invasive plants, and pick up trash. Please bring your own gloves, water, and insect repellent. We could use some shovels and a wheelbarrow or two. For more info on the Park Pride program, go to-- http://www.parkpride.org

Lost grey tabby cat [Aug 12]

GT, a grey, striped tabby cat is missing from the Scott/Desmond intersection area.

He has a slim, small build. He was wearing a collar with contact information.

If you have information, please contact Joy at 706-614-0312.

As usual, please be on the lookout and check your shed and basement/crawl space in case he snuck in and got trapped by accident.

Parents say YES to the Druid Hills Charter Cluster

Please go to the AJC for the full report:

The petition for a charter school cluster centered on Druid Hills High School passed by a huge margin Tuesday. 

Not counting provisional ballots, there were 1,036 for approval and 94 against, said lead organizer Matthew Lewis. The 92 percent vote for approval “shattered” the 60 percent threshold required under the law, he said.  Read on @ AJC

UPDATE: also see the report on the Get Schooled blog.

Selig issues Suburban Plaza update

Below is an open letter to the community from Selig Enterprises, where they address the ongoing court case with Good Growth DeKalb, announcement of potential new tenants and construction expectations:

Click to enlarge, or click here to view full-size pdf.

UPDATE: since this was posted, Mr. Stogner has added that the LA Fitness will feature a basketball court and pool. Thanks for the update, Deanne!