Information meeting on cityhood (Karla Drenner) [Nov 7]

Although Karla Drenner does not represent us, her Scottsdale constituents are included in the City of Briarcliff proposal. This meeting should be of interest to others also included in the proposal:

Thursday, November 7, 2013
6:30pm
Avondale Estates First Baptist Church
47 Covington Rd.
Avondale Estates, GA 30002

Scottdale is located in the proposed City of Briarcliff map. Join Rep. Drenner, Rep. Michele Henson will and Sen. Steve Henson at this meeting to find out what cityhood would--and wouldn't--mean for Scottdale. Presentations will be followed by a question and answer session at the end of the evening.

You can read more about the proposed City of Briarcliff here: http://briarcliffga.org

"Battles loom over prime real estate" [AJC]

April Hunt at the AJC reported that Judge Tangela Barrie sided with DeKalb County residents in an annexation dispute over the Century Center office complex. The cities of Chamblee and Brookhaven have been vying for the property, which stands to bring $3 million/year in revenues to the winning jurisdiction. Judge Barrie's decision means that nearby residents will have the opportunity to vote and have their residential properties annexed to Chamblee; if they vote in favor, Chamblee also gets Century Center. Read the rest @ AJC: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/battles-loom-over-prime-real-estate/nbbRB/

The article also includes this quote:

Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May has applauded Chamblee for being the only city in the county whose annexations offer to take in large numbers of residents as well as prime land. 

Since taking office in July, May has also asked the rest of the county’s cities to develop similar annexation zones that call for cities for provide more residents basic services.
That effort will take time, so he plans to ask state lawmakers for a two-year moratorium on new cities to hash out a plan.

via http://briarcliffga.org/

The article does not mention our own local annexation battles relating to City of Decatur's intention to annex Suburban Plaza and multiple commercial properties (but little in the way of residential properties) on North Decatur and Clairmont Roads. These commercial properties currently supporting DeKalb County at large and are part of the incorporation plan proposed under the City of Briarcliff (also not mentioned in the AJC article). Per Crossroad News earlier this year, "The BOC’s Finance Committee estimated the loss could reduce the county’s tax revenue by $21.8 million in 2013 and become a catalyst for property tax increases of 9.3 percent and 11.3 percent."

For additional context on City of Decatur's annexation plans, see all our NIX ANNEXATION posts.

At the October 21 MANA community meeting, Allen Venet shared that the results of the viability study for City of Briarcliff (which includes MANA and CHCA and towards which MANA contributed $1000; updated map available here) should be available by the end of the year. So should be the study for City of Lakeside (a proposal that excludes MANA and CHCA). Going into the next state legislative session, cityhood and annexation will certainly be on the docket. For a list of cityhood proposals submitted to the GA General Assembly 2013-2014, see http://www.medlockpark.org/2013/09/commissioner-raders-reflection-on.html.

Selig Enterprises gets go-ahead to build Suburban Plaza Walmart

via Selig Enterprises:

Yesterday, a DeKalb County Superior Court judge ruled that Good Growth DeKalb does not have standing to appeal DeKalb County’s decision to issue Selig a building permit to construct a Walmart at Suburban Plaza.  Good Growth DeKalb had claimed that it had standing to appeal DeKalb County’s issuance of Walmart’s building permit.  The Court disagreed.  As a result, the building permit is valid and the project is now cleared to move forward.

Good Growth DeKalb filed an internal DeKalb County administrative appeal in January, contending that the County issued the building permit for the Walmart Supercenter in error. Their appeal was addressed to the Technical Board of Appeals. However, because the appeal challenged issues such as trees and hydrology that fell under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board of Appeals, the County assigned the appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  In its lawsuit, Good Growth DeKalb contended that the Zoning Board of Appeals did not have authority to hear the matter.  In an eleven-page ruling, Judge Barrie rejected Good Growth DeKalb’s claims and declared that it did not have standing under the County ordinances to file the appeal.  

Selig is pleased with the outcome and believes the Judge came to the correct conclusion given the law and the facts in the case.  Selig would like to thank Dekalb County Attorneys, Duane Pritchett and John Jones, for doing such an excellent job in defending the County’s issuance of the permit and in responding to Good Growth DeKalb’s claims.

Further, Selig is excited about the continued tenant interest in the project - including LA Fitness (which will include a daycare facility), HomeGoods, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, and Ross Dress for Less.  We hope to be under construction by the end of the year.

As always, we thank you for your continued involvement and support in this project and we will continue to update the community as we progress.

Sincerely,
             
Scott Selig

Halloween Safety

Safety tips from America's favorite candy pushers!

Also see additional safety tips from Consumer Reports.

ICS UN Day [Nov 1]

Click to enlarge.

Dear Medlock Neighbors,

The International Community School sends warm greetings and an invitation to celebrate with ICS for our annual UN Day. On this day, our students and staff dress in their native garb and showcase the beauty that is ICS- diversity. There will be a parade of Nations at 10:00 a.m down Medlock Rd. Followed by our UN Day presentations in the ICS cafetorium. The day will end with our Potluck Celebration of food and fellowship. We truly appreciate you welcoming us to the community and hope that you will join us for this memorable event.

Ernest: lost cat now found

Happy news: Ernest is back home!

Halloween @ North DeKalb Mall [Oct 26, 31]

via North DeKalb Mall:

Saturday, October 26
12:00pm-6:00pm
That Pottery Place will run all-day specials and also have candy and activities for children

October 31, 6-8 pmThis Halloween bring the little ones to North Dekalb Mall to Trick or Treat. Come to this safe and climate controlled environment for fun and be sure to bring your camera for a photo opportunity with North DeKalb Mall's own Broomhilda the Witch!  Look for the balloon that will mark participating stores.