Keeping Up Appearances

The median on Hairston Road received a lot of mowing attention recently, due in large part to Walter Kimp’s advocacy.  He and Erica Weaver have also been asking DeKalb County to do more than mow.  As Erica wrote, “edging and curb clean-up should be a part of the county maintenance crews as well as any future contracts awarded.  When traveling through many of our local cities and counties, the maintenance of their public right of ways is far superior to what we see in DeKalb County.” Well-maintained streetscapes send a message that the community cares and it encourages development. 

Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson responded to the emails and promises to work on including edging and curb clean-up in future contracts.

Learn about Developments at Wesley Chapel/I-20

Construction is underway at Snapfinger and Wesley Chapel. How does this fit into the comprehensive plan for the area? What are other commercial property owners planning?  Walter Kimp and other interested residents have put together this meeting for the community. It will feature the Planning Department, several Commissioners, property developers and the East Metro CID.  The community may ask questions via chat.  It is both an information meeting and an opportunity to press for the realization of the vision the community has for the area.

Join the Wesley Chapel Business Update meeting at 6:30 p.m., July 21, at this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81935276065?pwd=eGdPVGw1eW1xN2g0VEJ1bTUxTE51Zz09

Meeting ID: 819 3527 6065

Passcode: 083258

646-558-8656

The next GHHCDC meeting is July 24, 10 a.m.

We’ll discuss business developments in the area. You may join at this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81125177861?pwd=eXUwMlZRRnBxN0Z2ZHQ1dkF3Q2FmZz09

Meeting ID: 811 2517 7861

Passcode: 396844

Telephone: 646 558 8656

Greenspace – once it’s paved over, who benefits?

Learn about the plans to destroy 150 – 300 acres of forest for a police training center operated by the city of Atlanta. Make your voice hear by attending a virtual meeting July 29, 6 p.m.

Click here for the meeting link. As of this email, the details had not been made public.

https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/advanced-components/covid-19

The situation is unusual.  The land is in DeKalb County, but the City of Atlanta has the lease.  The City wants to clear-cut the land and build a training center.  You can learn more about the plans at these links:

http://www.savetheoldatlantaprisonfarm.org/

https://saportareport.com/opposition-grows-to-police-training-center-at-atlanta-prison-farm/columnists/maria_saporta/

https://streetsofatlanta.blog/2021/05/27/save-southeast-atlantas-forests-from-developers/

Late-night establishments under review

The text amendment to prohibit late-night establishments in Tier Two of the Great Hidden Hills overlay zone went through more changes before being considered by the Planning Commission July 8.  The Planning Department decided that the amendment should apply only to Tier 2 and that any request go through the Special Land Use Permit process.  Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) recommended that the amendment also require an late-night establishment be located 2,000 feet from the boundary of residential property (currently the distance is 1,500 feet.) We asked for traffic and noise controls.   GHHCDC does not want a complete prohibition because there are decent late-night establishments, and we would like some in our neighborhood.

The Planning Commission did not like any of the options, and deferred the matter to the Board of Commissioners.  The BOC will hear the case July 29; the meeting starts at 5:30. 

https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/94883110323#success

888-270-9936 (US Toll Free)

Conference code: 217687

There are many items on the agenda, and this one was second to last, which meant we were on the call four hours before our item was heard.  Awful! Thank you Phyllis Frierson for sticking it out and making wise and useful comments. Billy Ray Jones and Dawn Foster stayed involved, too, lending moral support.  Thank you!

Thank you for your attention.

Jan Costello
President