Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Community input on SJ Collins / Whole Foods 365 development [July 21]
Community Members, Thank you for attending the Community meeting regarding the North Decatur Square project which includes the 365 Whole Foods. In an effort to maximize the public use of the open space area at the project, the developer, SJ Collins retained the Sizemore Group to host and facilitate public engagement regarding the design of these spaces. We are hosting a design focused conversation and welcome your attendance on Thursday, July 21st 7:00-8:30 at North Decatur United Methodist Church. We hope you will be able to join us for this conversation and encourage others to attend. If at any time during our application process you have questions about the project or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
"The Comet Pub and Lanes" opening at Suburban Plaza [July 15]
Eater reports that The Comet Pub and Lanes opens today. See the details at http://atlanta.eater.com/2016/7/14/12191634/comet-pub-lanes-decatur-hours [includes the menu]The Comet is a much-anticipated bowling alley featuring not-your-average bowling alley food and beer. Created by the owners of Twain's Brewpub and Billiards in downtown Decatur, The Comet fills in the void left when Suburban Lanes left when Suburban Plaza entered its renovation a couple years ago.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Clifton Road delays [July 18-22]
via Emory University...
This month, Emory is constructing and installing the frame for a new two-story pedestrian bridge over Clifton Road. The new bridge will connect Emory University Hospital with the hospital bed tower currently under construction across the street, and it will eventually replace the existing bridge.Related to the bridge construction, expect significant delays next week (Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 22) with single lane traffic in either direction on Clifton Road between Eagle Row/Haygood Drive and North Decatur Road.
- If possible avoid Clifton Road and use alternate routes.
- Pedestrian access and emergency access will remain open.
- Bus service will continue; bus stop and route changes are at http://emory.transloc.com/.
Note that this work is weather dependent and subject to change; if there are changes, Emory will provide updates. Thank you for your patience as these improvements are made on Clifton Road, and visit www.cliftonstreetscape.com for updates.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Tax Appeals and Land Use Workshop Meeting
via Commissioner Rader...
Recently, DeKalb County sent out 2016 Tax Assessment Notices. If you do not agree with the valuation of your property, you have an opportunity to appeal your assessment. The DeKalb County website has a link that provides instructions for the entire appeal process.
Click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What form do I need to use?
No specific form required but DeKalb County provides a form on its website that you candownload here.
Along with the form, you should include any supporting documents that help support your position.
2. Can I appeal online?
Yes, you can appeal online. First, view your property tax information here:
Fill in your property information, and then click on "I want to appeal."
You can also call the county at 404-371-0841.
3. When is the appeal due?
The date the appeal is due is on your notice, and it is likely July 18th. You must submit your appeal on time. If you choose to mail your letter of appeal, it must be postmarked by the appeal deadline to ensure acceptance as a timely appeal. Late appeals will not be processed, and DeKalb County does not accept appeals by email or fax.
Keep a copy of your appeal and any supporting documents that you submit and any correspondence with the county. You will need these documents for your hearing.
4. Which form of appeal should I use?
As shown on the appeal webpage, you have three venues: the Board of Equalization (BoE), a hearing officer, or an arbitration panel. The appeal to the BoE is free, while some cost is involved in the other two options.
5. What documents can I use in my appeal?
There are two primary bases for filing an appeal—fair market value and uniformity.
Fair market value is based on the 2015 calendar year as reflected on January 1, 2016, so you need to find information documenting comparable homes that were sold during that time. You can look online at websites such as zillow.com or appraisal.com and look for sales in 2015. (In addition, you may want to include recent sales in 2016 if they are lower than the assessed value of your home. This information can help to show market conditions, because prices likely were not higher in 2015.)
Uniformity is based on the assessed value per square foot for similar homes. To make this determination, divide the 100% assessment value by the total square footage (this information should be on your form and you can also find it by looking up your home on the county’s website—see above for the link).
6. What happens after I file my appeal to the BoE?
The tax assessor’s office will review your appeal and will contact you to let you know if they have decided to grant a reduction in value. They may send you a letter or call you. If they call you and make an offer to reduce the value and you accept, they will confirm this in writing.
If the tax assessor does not grant a reduction, you have the right to go before the BoE.
Generally, a reduction lasts for three years whether granted by the tax assessor or the BoE.
7. If I have a live hearing, how should I prepare for it?
You have the right to review the tax assessor’s comparable properties and other documents before the hearing. You can either go to the assessor’s office before the hearing or submit written request for this information. You should do this as it will help you prepare your presentation.
At the hearing, you can request for the tax assessor’s representative to present first so you can respond to the points that are raised.
Be organized. Bring five copies of all of your appeal documents with you—three for the BOE members, one for the tax assessor’s representative, and one for yourself. You should plan ahead of time how you want to present your case, and have the documents to support your position.
8. What about the tax freeze?
The tax freeze covers county government taxes, but not school and city taxes. County taxes generally account for about 1/3 of your total property tax bill, which means that an increase in property value results in a higher tax bill, even if your County tax remains the same.
For additional information, see http://www.commissionerrader.
July 14th
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Maloof Center
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Tax Appeal 2016 Information & Land Use Workshop Meeting
Recently, DeKalb County sent out 2016 Tax Assessment Notices. If you do not agree with the valuation of your property, you have an opportunity to appeal your assessment. The DeKalb County website has a link that provides instructions for the entire appeal process.
Click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What form do I need to use?
No specific form required but DeKalb County provides a form on its website that you candownload here.
Along with the form, you should include any supporting documents that help support your position.
2. Can I appeal online?
Yes, you can appeal online. First, view your property tax information here:
Fill in your property information, and then click on "I want to appeal."
You can also call the county at 404-371-0841.
3. When is the appeal due?
The date the appeal is due is on your notice, and it is likely July 18th. You must submit your appeal on time. If you choose to mail your letter of appeal, it must be postmarked by the appeal deadline to ensure acceptance as a timely appeal. Late appeals will not be processed, and DeKalb County does not accept appeals by email or fax.
Keep a copy of your appeal and any supporting documents that you submit and any correspondence with the county. You will need these documents for your hearing.
4. Which form of appeal should I use?
As shown on the appeal webpage, you have three venues: the Board of Equalization (BoE), a hearing officer, or an arbitration panel. The appeal to the BoE is free, while some cost is involved in the other two options.
5. What documents can I use in my appeal?
There are two primary bases for filing an appeal—fair market value and uniformity.
Fair market value is based on the 2015 calendar year as reflected on January 1, 2016, so you need to find information documenting comparable homes that were sold during that time. You can look online at websites such as zillow.com or appraisal.com and look for sales in 2015. (In addition, you may want to include recent sales in 2016 if they are lower than the assessed value of your home. This information can help to show market conditions, because prices likely were not higher in 2015.)
Uniformity is based on the assessed value per square foot for similar homes. To make this determination, divide the 100% assessment value by the total square footage (this information should be on your form and you can also find it by looking up your home on the county’s website—see above for the link).
6. What happens after I file my appeal to the BoE?
The tax assessor’s office will review your appeal and will contact you to let you know if they have decided to grant a reduction in value. They may send you a letter or call you. If they call you and make an offer to reduce the value and you accept, they will confirm this in writing.
If the tax assessor does not grant a reduction, you have the right to go before the BoE.
Generally, a reduction lasts for three years whether granted by the tax assessor or the BoE.
7. If I have a live hearing, how should I prepare for it?
You have the right to review the tax assessor’s comparable properties and other documents before the hearing. You can either go to the assessor’s office before the hearing or submit written request for this information. You should do this as it will help you prepare your presentation.
At the hearing, you can request for the tax assessor’s representative to present first so you can respond to the points that are raised.
Be organized. Bring five copies of all of your appeal documents with you—three for the BOE members, one for the tax assessor’s representative, and one for yourself. You should plan ahead of time how you want to present your case, and have the documents to support your position.
8. What about the tax freeze?
The tax freeze covers county government taxes, but not school and city taxes. County taxes generally account for about 1/3 of your total property tax bill, which means that an increase in property value results in a higher tax bill, even if your County tax remains the same.
Land Use Workshop Public Meeting
For additional information, see http://www.commissionerrader.
July 14th
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Maloof Center
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, GA 30030
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Notes from Friends of Medlock Park meeting [6/13/16]
notes forwarded by Casey Bordeaux, MANA Greenspace Coordinator
Participants: Chris
Foster, Casey Boudreau, Lisa Crowder, Ted Ward, Dave Butler, Jen Raby, Joanne Bryan, Barbara Orsich, Katie Curtis
1.
Scott lots
a.
Waiting on update from county on status of bids
for demolition for vacant white house – Casey will continue to follow up
b.
993 Scott – not part of FEMA buyout,
Commissioner Rader’s office contacted Casey last week that County may be able
to buy it to add to existing greenspace.
i. Should
not be limited by FEMA restrictions on other lots
ii. Casey
will continue to follow up
iii. Ideas
include
1.
Leave driveway to increase parking
2.
Picnic tables
c.
Tree planting
i. Need
to follow up with Fuqua re plans and process, including timeline – Ted to discuss with Theresa Same
ii. Dave
B to follow up with new County arborist to confirm list of trees
iii. Start thinking of where to place, on vacant
lots as well as in Park
2.
Playground
a.
Group met with Revonda, who is supportive of
renovations
b.
Need confirmation of agreement by DHYS as
official FOMP contact – Chris will follow up with Revonda
c.
Park Pride can help with fundraising
i. FOMP
playground project will have own page on Park Pride website
ii. Revonda
has list of vendors
iii. Ideas
for fund raising events
1.
Lantern parade
2.
Event at playground
3.
Something at MANA pool party
iv. DHYS
also has FOMP link on its Donate Now page
d.
Need to get going on 1 small, immediate project
to
i. Demonstrate
commitment to County & DHYS
ii. Encourage
neighbors to donate and/or participate on future projects
e.
Ideas for small, immediate projects
i. New
trash cans
ii. Covered
benches
3.
DHYS
a.
Met with Comm. Rader
i. Got
ok cover for batting cages, will self fund
ii. There
is money from bond referendum which can use to re-pave inner roads (approx.
from where drainage culvert to storage shed).
Have already met with maintenance group and hope work will be done in
next couple of months
iii. Raised
$15k from capital campaign which was used to fund survey last year and
permitting for new work.
iv. ADA
project will wait
b.
Other ideas from group
i. Can
put sidewalks in, either real ones or just painted lines on side of road
ii. Can
put permanent or moveable objects on wide entrance to playground, to discourage
driving
4.
Bulletin board
a.
Chris removed ads – need to put something on it
to inform that not meant for advertising
b.
Casey will create banner “Medlock Park News” –
update: done!
5.
Fall projects
a.
River cleanup – Oct?
b.
Park cleanup – usually scheduled in Sep
6.
Other
a.
Can get other planting in park, like azaleas or
other shrubs along inner road to further separate playground area
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