Expansion announced for the "Big Kroger"

Tomorrow's News Today - Atlanta,  has a great write-up about changes planned for the North Decatur Square Kroger (corner of DeKalb Industrial and N. Decatur Rd.):

"The expanded Kroger will include a new and relocated pharmacy (moving to the front left, where Spin Cycle laundry was) that will feature a drive-thru.  Other expanded offerings will include a Starbucks twice the size of the current one, a doubled natural foods section, relocated bank, additional self check out lanes, and a number of individual department expansions. The store will also increase school supplies merchandise as well as kitchen accessories offerings." The article has much more information, read the rest here.  

REMINDER: North Decatur Road Safety Audit [Sept. 26]

See all posts about the road safety audit.

Commissioner Rader's reflection on cityhood

New City bills for DeKalb popped up like mushrooms after a rainstorm in the waning days of this year’s General Assembly.  There are bills for new cities called Tucker, Lakeside, LaVista Hills (aka Briarcliff), Stonecrest, and the City of DeKalb, not to mention a bill prohibiting new cities within 5 miles of an existing one. ... Read the rest at http://www.commissionerrader.com/reader-rader-updates/items/cityhood.html

For the bills mentioned above, see

Tucker (unnamed) 2013-2014 Regular Session - HB 677
DeKalb County; incorporate a new municipality
Introduced by Billy Mitchell 88th district {Stone Mountain}, Michele Henson 86th district {Stone Mountain}, "Coach" Williams 87th district {Avondale Estates}
Final status: Mar/26/2013 - House Hopper

Lakeside 2013-2014 Regular Session - SB 270
Lakeside, City of; DeKalb County; incorporate
Introduced by Fran Millar 40th district {Atlanta}
Final status: Mar/26/2013 - Senate Read and Referred

LaVista Hills (aka Briarcliff) 2013-2014 Regular Session - SB 275
Lavista Hills, City of; DeKalb County; incorporate
Introduced by Jason Carter 42nd district {Decatur}
Final status: Mar/28/2013 - Senate Read and Referred

Stonecrest 2013-2014 Regular Session - SB 278
Stonecrest, City of; DeKalb County; incorporate
Introduced by Ronald Ramsey, Sr. 43rd district {Decatur}
Final status: Mar/28/2013 - Senate Read and Referred

City of DeKalb 2013-2014 Regular Session - SB 277
DeKalb, City of; DeKalb County; incorporate
Introduced by Ronald Ramsey, Sr. 43rd district {Decatur}, Gail Davenport, 44th district {Jonesboro}, Emanuel Jones 10th district {Decatur}
Final status: Mar/28/2013 - Senate Read and Referred

5-Mile Prohibition 2013-2014 Regular Session - HB 22

Incorporation of municipal corporations; certain requirements and standards; provide

Introduced by Oliver, Mary Margaret 82nd district {Decatur},  Henson, Michele 86th district {Stone Mountain},  Mosby, Howard 83rd district {Atlanta},  Kendrick, Dar'shun 93rd district {Lithonia}
Final status: Jan/16/2013 - House Second Readers

Safety alert: black Toyota

via Facebook & Nextdoor

Please be on the lookout for the vehicle pictured: a black older-model Toyota, license plate DV 891X. The driver has been seen in the neighborhood on various occasions, including this weekend (driving recklessly, possibly impaired). He has also made inappropriate comments to women that he has approached. The driver has been booked several times for battery and criminal trespass misdemeanors. DeKalb police is aware of the situation and encourages us to call 911.

Driver's description: "white male with dark tan, probably late 50s, white/grey hair and some facial hair."

Sept. 19 update: spotted in Avondale Estates, still driving erratically

Atlanta Gas Light warns of scam (Marietta and Decatur areas)

http://www.atlantagaslight.com/Universal/AboutUs/PressRoom/2013/20130913.aspx

ATLANTA – Sept. 13, 2013 – Atlanta Gas Light is warning customers of a scam, currently occurring in the Marietta and Decatur area, in which a person is reportedly impersonating utility employees in an attempt to obtain customers’ account and personal information. 

This week, Atlanta Gas Light began receiving reports from several customers who said that a man claiming to be a company employee knocked on their doors and stated he could lower their natural gas costs if they showed him their gas bills. According to the customers, the impersonator, described as a male between 25 and 30 years of age, was persistent and got irritated when customers refused the request. 

Atlanta Gas Light is working with local authorities as they continue to investigate these incidents. The company also is warning residents to take the necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety and protect their identity. 

Below are recommended guidelines:

• Atlanta Gas Light will never dispatch a representative to your residence to view your natural gas bill.
• Whenever a field service representative or contractor is conducting business on behalf of Atlanta Gas Light, they will provide official company identification.
• If you any have concerns about someone claiming to be a utility representative, please contact our Customer Care Center at 1-800-427-5463 to confirm that an Atlanta Gas Light representative has been scheduled to perform work at your premises.
• Customers who believe they are a victim of this type of scam should contact their local police departments.  
• For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com

Fuqua requests deferral on Scott Blvd. Baptist Church redevelopment

Latest Scott Blvd. Baptist Church plan, presented on September 10, 2013.
 Click to enlarge or view full-size image here.
For a larger view of the site calculation text on the right, go here.

MANA Zoning Chair Theresa Same attended the September 10, 2013 Planning Commission meeting to continue tracking the redevelopment of the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church (SBBC) property. Fuqua Development presented a new site plan (that they had not shared with area neighbors prior to the meeting) and requested a deferral on their plan to redevelop the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church site. The Planning Commission recommended a full-cycle deferral. Full-cycle referral means that Fuqua's updated proposal will be reviewed again by the Community Council, the Planning Commission and finally the Board of Commissioners. During this period, Fuqua is supposed to discuss its plans with the community.

This latest plan reduces the number of residential units to 18 and building height to three stories (vs. 200+ units and five-story height in previous proposals) and introduces a new road connecting the SBBC site to Blackmon Drive. We are obviously concerned about the impact this road would have on the quality of life of Blackmon Drive residents.

The image below compares plans that Fuqua has released, which we are calling Plans 1, 2 and 3. Note that there was another plan (let's call it "2.1"), not depicted here, that was presented by Fuqua's representative at the August 20, 2013 Community Council. That site plan
- no longer included a 5-story apartment building,
- placed the 35,000 sq. ft. anchor tenant on the existing church property and
- left the houses on Barton Way intact (though Fuqua was still asking to include them in their land use plan change for future redevelopment).

Plans 1, 2 3 as presented in various planning meeting.  The newly proposed road connecting to Blackmon Drive, presented on Sept. 10, 2013, is highlighted in light yellow. Click image to enlarge.

NOTE: Plan 1 caption updated 9/12/2013

For all posts relating to the redevelopment of the Scott Blvd. Baptist Church, click here

Addendum: For context on the developer behind this project, see Creative Loafing (Sept. 12, 2013):  Jeff Fuqua: Atlanta's Most Controversial Developer 

UPDATE: on September 24, 2013, the Board of Commissioners voted in favor of a full cycle deferral.

Woodridge Road Closure on Sept. 16 and on -- Atlanta Gas Light

from Atlanta Gas Light:

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as Atlanta Gas Light has installed the Eastside Pipeline through the Medlock Area community. We recognize that this project has created inconveniences for residents in the area of work and for others around the neighborhood. 

We wanted to update you on construction activities around Woodridge Road that will involve a road closure late later this week. The contractor’s traffic plan is attached so neighbors can see the exact location of the closure and the planned detour around it. Signage will be posted in the neighborhood to alert pedestrians and motorists of the road closure. 

Atlanta Gas Light’s independent contractor Latex Construction is preparing to “pull back” approximately 1,100 feet of pipe in the area of our easement that crosses Woodridge Drive (between Alberson Court and Larry Lane) to complete the installation to Lawrenceville Highway. Residents may have noticed the pipe that was strung out in the easement north of Woodridge Drive. 

The pull back is scheduled to begin September 16 and may last up to 48 hours. It is a continuous process, and to protect the integrity of the pipe it cannot be stopped once it has started. During this time, there will be a higher level of construction noise and constant activity, including generators, portable lights, and other equipment.  If necessary, this work can continue around the clock until the pull back is complete. The affected areas will be restored once all of the equipment has been removed. 

Should there be any changes to the schedule because of weather or other factors, Atlanta Gas Light will update residents as soon as possible. If you have additional questions, please contact us at (404) 584-3130 or eastsidepipeline@aglresources.com. 

Again we thank you for your continued patience during construction and your willingness to work with us as we improve the system.

Atlanta Gas Light