DeKalb Transportation Plan: multimodal emphasis & local impact

DeKalb County has recently completed a transportation plan that will prioritize developments until the plan is again reviewed in five years. Starting in late 2012, the County hosted a variety of meetings and online surveys (as advertised here and here), and the result is their 2014 Transportation Plan Draft Recommendations Report. The report emphasizes that in order to remain competitive with other regions of the country and leverage existing strengths, DeKalb must invest in transportation upgrades. It is also noteworthy that "because of the strong interest expressed by policy makers, stakeholders and the public concerning safe and efficient travel for alternative modes, including for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users, a Complete Streets Policy has been developed as a standalone formal policy document..." The plan draws input from representatives from a variety of government agencies, cities, community investment districts and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Overall, the project aims to improve mobility for all people (using all transport modes); enhance quality of life (via improved multimodal safety and preservation of community attractiveness and character); improve economic viability (by enhancing transport for all stakeholders); and focus on implementation (maintain existing resources, identify new projects and funds to develop them).

The report explains how projects are being prioritized. Below are a few maps zoomed to our area.

Recommended bicycle network. As noted in the report, "the bicycle network is not itself a project list, but rather, a vision
for an expanded and cohesive county wide bicycle network. Some portions of this network already exist; others... may prove unfeasible... The envisioned network will need to be revised with future transportation updates. ... Although there is no set timeframe.... many segments shown in the network are also included in projects on the recommended list of priority projects developed as part of this Transportation Plan."

Several of the future PATH trails in the map above fall under Tier 2 and Tier 3 recommendations (i.e., lower priority). Page 36 outlines Tier 1 (priority) projects by mode. In our neighborhood, project 1591 refers to an extension to the South Fork of Peachtree Creek's PATH.

Expansion of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek PATH.
The fact sheet for project 1591 can be found on page 112 of the Fact Sheet Report This project will connect the existing trail end at Mason Mill Park to North Druid Hills Rd.

from page 35 of DeKalb's 2014 Transportation Plan.

Page 35 describes the Clifton Corridor's light rail plan, noting a 10+ year window (assuming funding were available). 

The Appendix to this report is available here and includes information on the complete streets concept, additional maps and specifications for proposed improvements, and a comprehensive project list.

For additional details and documents, visit the DeKalb transportation plan website.

Critters in the 'hood [Apr 27]

Fuqua's Scott Blvd. Baptist Church project approved

From the Cross-Neighborhoods Committee, via Theresa Same (MANA Zoning Chair)

Site plan. Full-size image appears in the zoning agreement document.

On April 8 and 9, 2014, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) and the DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) reviewed Fuqua Development’s Scott Boulevard Baptist Church (SBBC) proposal. The plan was presented to the community last February and is outlined here. The BOC and ZBA approved Fuqua Development’s application to rezone and the variances required to redevelop the SBBC site and nearby residential properties on Barton Way. This vote clears the way for Phase 1, to include apartments and townhomes and a “coffee shop.” There was no opposition to the application and the BOC voted to accept the request with conditions negotiated by the Cross-Neighborhoods Committee*. Relevant Cross-Neighborhood Committee documents are available in pdf format: letters of support to the BOC and ZBA, conditions, and schematics.

In addition to the conditions, the Cross-Neighborhoods Committee also negotiated a separate, legally binding zoning agreement that among other things secured $60,000 in off-site improvements. This fund will go towards finishing pedestrian improvements at the Medlock / North Decatur Rd. / Scott Blvd. intersection as well as a future sidewalk on Scott Boulevad  between Willow Lane and Medlock Road. The legally binding agreement was signed by MANA with the support of the entire Cross-Neighborhoods Committee. 

Fuqua Development anticipates submitting permits in June and hopes to start site work in August or September. Site work will take about four months and entails demolition, grading, building the underground water detention, etc. We should expect construction  to begin in early 2015 and continue for up to 18 months. In the meantime, the Cross-Neighborhoods Committee will begin meeting with Fuqua Development to provide community input for Phase 2 of this project [see our previous post for Phase 2 details].

It will be very sad to lose the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church that served as a landmark and spiritual center in our community for so long. The SBBC congregation will continue to worship as Pastor Greg Smith discusses in this article. With the Medline LCI study in progress, we believe that this area will see great change in the coming years. We feel this development sets a precedent for our area and reflects the collective vision of our community for livability, amenities, walkability and economic sustainability.

_________

* The Cross-Neighborhoods Committee includes the following neighborhood representatives:
Nancy Ciliax, Clairmont Heights Community Association Representative; Deanne Thomas, Decatur Heights Neighborhood Transition Team Representative; Theresa Same, Medlock Area Neighborhood Association, Inc. Representative; David Duncan, Medlock Place Neighborhood Association, Inc. Representative; Mary Shellman, Good Growth DeKalb, Inc. Representative; Debra Robinson, Blackmon Drive Resident; Garrett Asay, Ridgeland Park Resident; Todd Link, Springdale Heights Neighborhood Resident. Fuqua is represented  by Jeff Fuqua (Principal, Fuqua Development), Heather Correa (Partner, Fuqua Development) and Dennis Webb (Attorney, Smith, Gambrell and Russell).

Paint recycling [Apr 26]

Keep MANA beautiful day [Apr 26]

from MANA volunteer coordinator Emily Mann:

Hi Neighbors! MANA has signed up for this year's "Keep Dekalb Beautiful Neighborhood Cleanup Day" which takes place Saturday, April 26 from 9AM to 1 PM. We'd love to have more folks participate this year! My fam did curb & sign cleaning here on Willivee Place last year and it was pretty amazing what a big difference a few hours made.

If we all share ideas for areas in the neighborhood that need some extra TLC we can round up small groups to tackle some of the bigger stuff together. So please post ideas here and we'll help coordinate.

The County provides free t-shirts and all the necessary cleanup materials; MANA provides refreshments & coffee at ICS before everyone heads out to their respective projects.

Missing cat, gray tabby [Apr 16]

Houston is a large, 17-pound indoor cat who snuck out on April 16. He is a striped gray tabby (no white on paws), male. He lives a few streets from Woodridge. Please contact medlockassoc@gmail if you see him.

5K & 1mi trail races @ Laurel Ridge Elementary [Apr 26]

image via active.com

SATURDAY 26 APRIL
5k and 1-mile Trail Races (and an 1/8-mile Track "Fun Run")
This is one of the only true OFF-ROAD races inside The Perimeter. Come out and support Laurel Ridge Elementary!

Register via active.com