Planting Project Postponed:  The December 2 planting project has been postponed.  We’ll set a new date soon.

Survey on MARTA

MARTA is seeking our opinion about transit-oriented development along the I-20 East.  Can anyone say, “Give us rail!”  Please give YOUR opinion by going to this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/I-20EastTODCommunity

If you have a business in the I-20 corridor, use this link, please.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/I-20EastTODBusiness

For more information about the I-20 Corridor, visit:
https://www.itsmarta.com/i20-east-corridor-overview.aspx

Friends of Hairston Park

We’re meeting Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain. Ayana Williams, ParkPride Director of Community Building, will be our special guest. We’ll then move to the park and erect a new sign that shows the improvements in the works.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously supported us in our fight against more liquor stores and gas stations. On Nov. 14, the commissioners voted 7 to 0 to deny the request to put these businesses at 4736 Redan Road, just west of S. Hairston.
More than 639 people signed the petition and gave comments, and these were shared with the commissioners.   It made a difference! We thank these advocates for speaking up for better development in our community.

Update on Liquor Store/Gas Station Fight

The fight continues against more liquor stores and gas stations in the community.  The District 4 Community Council voted 13 – 0 to deny the request to sell liquor and gas at the old Tire Store, 4736 Redan Road. Now, we turn to the Planning Commission.

The meeting is Thursday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The issue is last on the agenda, numbers 7 and 8.

After that, it goes to the Board of Commissioners: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.

If you can’t make the meeting, please sign the petition. We have 238 signatures so far.

https://goo.gl/MYGPhC

How many liquor stores and gas stations are enough?  This report, from Esri Business Analyst, shows the number.   The measurements are based on the center point: 4736 Redan Road, the proposed site of a gas station/alcohol outlet.

*  There is a liquor store 1.5 miles away at Redan and S. Indian Creek, and a liquor store 1.8 miles away at Redan and Panola.

**The Kroger gas station is hidden under grocery stores. There are three gas stations within one block: a Chevron, BP, and Kroger.

The businesswoman interested in putting a liquor store near Publix at S. Hairston/Covington was not dissuaded by the 40 people who attended a meeting Oct. 16.  Look for the issue to be on the District 5 community Council agenda Dec. 11, 6:30 pm., Redan-Trotti Library.

Update on Phase Two of Streetscape Improvements

We have received a commitment of 27 trees from the DeKalb County Tree Bank. We’re working with a developer who is supposed to plant them.  We’ll keep you posted!

Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – Streetscape upgrade at Los Arcos.  Save the date for a fun morning of planting. Rain date is Dec. 9.

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) is speaking out against undesirable development in our area and working to improve business districts and greenspace. We have also received two grants to help with the work. Please review our brief update.

Two more liquor store proposals. Ugh.

Proposed Liquor Store in Publix Shopping Center (S. Hairston and Covington)
Oct. 16, 7 p.m. – The developers of a proposed liquor store have scheduled a pre-submittal community meeting, as required by the DeKalb County. Come and find out more, and give your opinion.

Where: 2079 S. Hairston Road, Suite E (This space is next to Atlanta Best Wing in the Publix Shopping Center.)

If the proposal moves forward, it will be heard by the District 5 Community Council at 6:30, Dec. 11, at the Redan-Trotti Library.

On Sept. 26, Jan Costello spoke out against another proposed liquor store, and she urged the Board of Commissioners to turn down its application. The owner wants to open at 1026 Holcombe Road, Decatur. This is just to the north of the intersection where Redan dead-ends at Holcombe. The vote was deferred for 30 days because of confusion about what ordinance it was applying under. Costello made the point the community does not care what ordinance is invoked; the community does not want another liquor store. There are numerous liquor stores near this proposed location: 2 within 1 mile, 16 within 3 miles, and 43 within 5 miles. That does not count the liquor available at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, or drugstores. That is really enough. (Data from ESRI Business Analyst, 2017)

Beautification Projects and Hairston Park
Join us for an update and to share ideas. We’re working on several projects that will improve the Redan/S.Hairston commercial area and the park. Come and help make a positive difference in your community! It makes you feel good!

Oct. 21 – GHHCDC meets at 10 a.m.

Friends of Hairston Park meet at 11:30 a.m.

Both meetings are at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain, Ga., 30088.

Forward-Thinking Zoning Decision
GHHCDC Applauds the Board of Commissioners for Approving Two Tiers of the Memorial Drive Overlay on Sept. 26. The action will keep undesirable businesses from opening and promote high-quality business and residential development in the tiers. Here is a brief description of the two tiers:

Tier I: Covington Gateway – The intent of this tier is to implement the recommendation of the Covington Highway Corridor Study from the DeKalb County Board of Health Master Active Living Plan. The goal for this area is revitalize underutilized commercial and multifamily properties into a mix of employment, housing, retail, civic and open spaces, and make Covington Highway a multimodal transportation corridor that promotes healthy living.

Tier III: Indian Creek Wellness Center – The intent of this tier is to implement the recommendations of the Indian Creek Master Active Living Plan, while developing a multi-modal, transit-oriented area that integrates physical activity by enhancing connectivity to trails, parks, and open space (both internally and near redeveloped areas). These areas will also connect with mixed use, recreational, residential, and senior facilities. This tier is envisioned to be a premier regional recreation destination with accessory restaurant, retail, and office space. Transit Oriented Development is encouraged in this area to increase MARTA ridership and mixed-use development at the Indian Creek MARTA Station.

The other sections of the overlay are still under discussion. You can find out all about the proposal and more on the two approved tiers by clicking on:

http://memorialcorridoroverlay.weebly.com/

GHHCDC Thanks Wells Fargo
GHHCDC received a Days of Giving grant from the Redan Wells Fargo branch. Shown here, Board of Directors member Herbert Love accepts the $1,000 grant from Branch Manager Dot Van Lare. The grant is given to a non-profit organization that serves and uplifts the community. It is targeted for operational expenses.

GHHCDC Thanks Nature Conservancy
Urban Conservation Director Myriam Dormer (right) gives a $1,000 grant to GHHCDC President Jan Costello. The Nature Conservancy targets the grant for our Redan Road Marta bus shelter improvements (the bust stop near Los Arcos).