Environment Service Opportunity

The  DeKalb Soil and Water Conservation District is actively seeking a volunteer in your area! Position can either be elected or appointed. Must have flexible schedule and able to attend 2nd friday (virtual for now) monthly meetings that begin at 10am.

https://gaswcc.georgia.gov/soil-water-conservation-districts/how-do-i-become-swcd-supervisor

Georgia has 40 soil and water conservation districts and 370 Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors. District supervisors are either elected for a four-year term or are appointed to a two-year term.

Please contact Victoria Webb to ask questions or express interest.
vic@furiousdreams.com

Marta is Improving Indian Creek

Ten million dollars is being invested in the Indian Creek MARTA station. The project improvements include a new lighted walkway from the parking to lot into the station, replacing all signage and damaged concrete, new public restrooms, tile cladding on the concourse level, and new landscaping. We are excited about the investment.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 22, and Rod Frierson, a Hidden Hills resident for 30+ years and member of the MARTA Board of Directors, is pictured 2^nd from the left.

There’s a short video about the project featuring DeKalb’s own Charles David Moody, founder and president of CD Moody Construction, which will do lots of the work.

The GHHCDC will meet Dec. 11, 10-11 a.m. We will have an update on the progress (slow) being made on the golf course housing development, and other developments in the community. Please join us at:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84991898091?pwd=QlBTQUpnR2lrd2t6MEdKT3VKS28wZz09

Meeting ID: 849 9189 8091
Passcode: 818713
Phone: 301 715 8592

District 5 Community Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13.  It appears there is an application for a personal care home at 2038 Mallard, Lithonia.  However, currently, we do not have the agenda.   

The Zoom link is
https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/81438083587

The Rockbridge housing development rezoning case goes before District 4 Community Council 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14.  The proposal affects several parcels near Rockbridge/Hairston Road. It is to build 161 single-family, owner-occupied homes. There would be 4.2 units/acre on 39.7 acres. The houses include 2-car garages and are 3-bedroom, 3 bath. At the last meeting, a tentative price was stated as $400,000 – $500,000.

The Zoom link is

https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/86827815092

If for some reason these links don’t work, click on the County website to find the most current information.

https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/public-hearing-agendas-info

Remembering an Inspirational Leader
A champion for mixed-income and senior housing, Noel Khalil passes away at 70

Seven years ago, Noel Khalil, a well-respected business owner, gave us insight on developing senior housing on the closed Hidden Hills golf course. He even gave us a tour of one of his stellar properties, Columbia Heritage Senior Center on Perry Blvd. in Atlanta.  He passed away Oct. 25. I just want to acknowledge how kind he was to us.  He affirmed the benefits of our idea, and he encouraged us. Few people would have taken the time. He accomplished great things, ensuring that hundreds of people of modest income had decent places to live.

The following link is an excellent story about him.

https://atlantaciviccircle.org/2021/10/28/a-champion-for-housing-affordability-noel-khalil-passes-away-at-70/

GIVING BACK OPPORTUNITIES

Join the effort to make our community prosperous, attractive, and green!

Thank you to all neighborhood associations and individuals who have joined GHHCDC.  We thank all our hard-working volunteers who enable us to run on a bare-bones budget. There are no salaries.

To all readers, as we approach the end of the year, please donate to the Greater Hidden Hills CDC.   Your donation directly benefits this community.  Because we know that beautiful streetscapes grow good business, we continue to pay for the maintenance of the median at Redan/S. Hairston, and we pay for the basic costs of running a nonprofit.

We have not been able to have our annual fundraiser for two years due to Covid concerns.  Our financial resources are dwindling. Your contribution will help, and it is tax deductible. We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.
 You can donate online at this link.

Or, send a check to
Greater Hidden Hills CDC

P.O. Box 1811

Stone Mountain, GA 30083

If your company matches donations, please apply. It will maximize your gift!

Buy a brick for the holidays! $25 discount ends soon.

Leave Your Mark at Hairston Park!

You can support Hairston Park by buying an engraved brick that will be used in a lovely border around our new information kiosk. It will be seen by hundreds of people who come to Hairston Park every month. Click here to learn more and to receive a $25 discount.

https://bricksrus.com/DONORSITE/FRIENDSOFHAIRSTONPARK

Thank you for reading this update. Stay safe and healthy.

Jan Costello

President, GHHCDC

We planted 50 trees Nov. 13 with the tremendous help of Trees Atlanta. More than 50 volunteers planted trees — coming from the local neighborhoods and as far away as Johns Creek and Morrow, Ga. Thank you to all volunteers.

We are thrilled that DeKalb County is supporting the effort to beautify the median on Hairston Road. This is a terrific investment in the beauty of the area. In addition, it cuts down on mowing costs and, according to Radarsigns, trees slow down driving speeds by 10-20 percent (see link below).

We especially thank Antioch A.M.E. Church which let us use the parking lot for a staging area and provided many volunteers. Here are some photos of our great event.

Street Trees Promote Traffic Calming

Lasting Benefits for our Community!

Saturday, Nov. 13, is the big day! We’re planting 50 trees on S. Hairston, on the stretch of road from Hairston Park to Martins Crossing.  Trees Atlanta is our partner, and they will lead our efforts.

We invite you to come and help dig!  There are also light-duty volunteer opportunities.  All volunteers are welcome!

Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m.

Meet at Antioch A.M.E. Church (parking available)

765 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Many hands make light work.  Please join us.  Bring gloves and a mask.  We’ll have tools, but we encourage you to bring your own shovel and/or mattock.  Bring a water bottle. You can refill it (and get snacks!) at the church.

We’re planting Nuttall Oak, Shumard Oak, and Bald Cypress.  They are little now, but they will grow into beautiful, majestic trees, and will be a stunning site on S. Hairston. 

This is a great community service project. We’ll have fun playing in the dirt. We will make our community lovelier for generations to come. 

You can be part of this great project. Every time you drive down Hairston Road, you can say, “I helped plant those trees!”

You are invited to hear an update from Major C.D. Medlin, Tucker Precinct Commander, on Oct. 26, 5 – 6 p.m. , at Hairston Park.  911 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain.   This is part of the Major’s Night Out series, a time when the entire community can address concerns.  Please join us. 

Help Us Pave the Way
Leave Your Mark at Hairston Park!

You can support Hairston Park by buying an engraved brick that will be used in a lovely border around our new information kiosk. It will be seen by hundreds of people who come to Hairston Park every month. Click here to learn more and to receive a $25 discount.

https://bricksrus.com/DONORSITE/FRIENDSOFHAIRSTONPARK

Help Create a Tree-Lined Boulevard on S. Hairston

Our community has received 50 trees from DeKalb County to plant along S. Hairston Road from Hairston Park south.  We invite you to come and help dig!  There are also light-duty volunteer opportunities.  All volunteers are welcome! Bring your partner! Bring a team!

Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m.
Meet at Antioch A.M.E. Church  
765 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Thank you, Antioch!

Trees Atlanta is bringing the trees and leading our efforts. With 50 volunteers, we will be done in three hours. 

Please register by clicking this link:  Hairston Trees Volunteers

Bring gloves and a mask.  We’ll have tools, but we encourage you to bring your own shovel and/or mattock.  Bring a water bottle. You can refill it (and get snacks!) at the church.

This is a great community service project. We’ll have fun playing in the dirt. We will make our community lovelier for generations to come. 
You can be part of this wonderful effort. Every time you drive down Hairston Road, you can say, “I helped plant those trees!”

Contact GHHCDC@gmail.com for more information.

Our community has received 50 trees from DeKalb County to plant along S. Hairston Road from Hairston Park south.  We invite you to come and help dig!  There are also light-duty volunteer opportunities.  All volunteers are welcome! Bring your partner! Bring a team!

Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m.
Meet at Antioch A.M.E. Church  
765 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Thank you, Antioch!

Trees Atlanta is bringing the trees and leading our efforts. With 50 volunteers, we will be done in three hours. 

Please register by clicking this link:  Hairston Trees Volunteers

Bring gloves and a mask.  We’ll have tools, but we encourage you to bring your own shovel and/or mattock.  Bring a water bottle. You can refill it (and get snacks!) at the church.

This is a great community service project. We’ll have fun playing in the dirt. We will make our community lovelier for generations to come. 

You can be part of this wonderful effort. Every time you drive down Hairston Road, you can say, “I helped plant those trees!”

Contact GHHCDC@gmail.com for more information.

Slaughterhouses Have No Business in a Residential Neighborhood

We continue to be appalled by the lawless behavior of Rudolph Bradford who slaughters animals for profit at 1676 Rice Road, a residential property.  Last month, he slaughtered 161 animals. Since he was order to cease-and-desist on  March 1, 2019, he has slaughtered 3,420 cows, pigs, goats, and sheep.  The statistics come from the Georgia Department of Agriculture in response to open records requests.

It’s time to turn up the heat.  His first court date was in June 2019, and it has been one postponement after another since then. 

We ask you to join as at the Animal Advisory Board meeting Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.  Click the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81123099875?fbclid=IwAR1JHZtNeplRLpdyAfv80M_WRAD_olpKriweuv4cSMipOWEcIh6M-lUXkfA#success

This board has been appointed by the CEO and Commissioners and can help to make our voices heard. Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting.    

• The Board has forwarded our questions to DeKalb Animal Control and to Code Enforcement. We want to know if there are any other complaints. In addition, we want to know if the animals are treated humanely before slaughter and if their pain is minimized as they are killed.

• In addition, we have asked the DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office why no date has yet been set for a trial. On Sept. 27, Superior Court Judge Wayne Purdom said he would arrange a call among the attorneys and set a date.

• We have asked the DeKalb Office of the County Attorney why is the cease-and-desist order not enforced? We asked for public records pertaining to this case since the cease-and desist order was issued March 1, 2019.

• We have gone 32 months without action being taken.  If laws are not enforced, what’s the good of the law? 

This could happen in any neighborhood.  Join us at the meeting. Write to your commissioners.  Make your voices heard. 

If you are available to pass out fliers in the immediate neighborhood, write to GHHCDC@gmail.com

Write to County Officials
Michael Thurmond, CEO
MichaelThurmond@dekalbcountyga.gov

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson,  Commissioner District 7
LCJohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov

Mereda Davis Johnson, Commissioner District 5
mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov

Hidden Hills Neighbors-Special Alert

Please vote right now to support the drive to raise money for security cameras and neighborhood improvements. It’s only $50 a year, bringing our annual dues to $200, far less than what many homeowners pay per month. Half of all members must vote in order for the election to count. Please click on this link and vote:

https://www.wearehiddenhills.com/

The Planning Commission approved – with conditions – the rezoning request for the property at 1744/1762 Panola Road (across from Berean).  The request was to change it from residential (R-100) to commercial (C-1). The conditions are the same as those for the adjacent Tier Two of the Overlay District which prohibits such businesses as liquor stores, dollar stores, gas stations, auto parts stores, tattoo parlors, etc. The conditions also include that a special permit be sought if a drive-through is needed and that the lighting be properly shielded and directed away from adjacent properties.  On Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m., the Board of Commissioners will vote on the rezoning request. (It is the 4^th item on the agenda, but the first two are likely to be deferred, and the 3^rd one should go quickly.)

You may attend and show support at this Zoom link Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.:

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

 Or Telephone: 602 333 0032

Conference code: 217687

Community Meeting on Proposed Development in 4900 Block of Rockbridge Rd

You are invited to a second community meeting on a potential single-family development Rockbridge Road, just west of Hairston. The site is 42 undeveloped acres along Rockbridge Road west of the intersection of Rockbridge Road and Hairston Road near the Ingles Shopping Center, Rockbridge, Elementary, and Hickory Hill community. 

The developer would like to hear your comments and suggestions.  

The property is currently zoned R-100 with a classification as Suburban Land Use. The developer is evaluating developing it under the existing R-100 entitlement, which would result in 71 single-family lots. The developer is also considering rezoning to RSM to allow for smaller more affordable single-family homes, which would result in 156 single-family lots. However, the total number is not firm.

Kyle Williams, who represents the developer, has sent us the revised site plan that incorporates additional greenspace, elevations and floor plans, and conceptual community drawings. I’ve attached those files and the original proposal (named 2021.6.16 – Rockbridge II Presentation); click here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WzF-QkS7c-hYJCDs6d10Va942Ok09Wui/view?usp=sharing

The meeting is on Zoom:

Wed., Oct 6, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610224810?pwd=UFdiVGE2QlI5aklQWDd0T2dDeTdoQT09

Meeting ID: 896 1022 4810
Passcode: 093272
Phone: 646 558 8656

Slaughterhouse – Still No Trial Date

Bradford Continues to Violate County Law

The slaughtering continues at 1676 Rice Road, Lithonia (near Redan Elementary School) as we wait for the case to go to trial. Rudolph Bradford, owner of Bradford Home & Grounds, has been cited for operating a business without a license–a business NOT allowed in a residential zone–and for violating a cease-and-desist order issued March 1, 2019.  Bradford is countersuing. 

According to Georgia Department of Agriculture records, he has slaughtered more than 5,389 cows, pigs, goats, and sheep since he went into business in January 2016.   He has slaughtered 3,259 animals since the cease-and-desist order was issued March 1, 2019.

He was supposed to appear in Superior Court Sept. 27, but his attorney had a conflict, so nothing happened.  Judge Wayne Purdom says he will talk to Assistant Solicitor General Karen Scott and the attorney to set a date. We’ll keep you posted.

County Shuts Down a Desirable Business Option in Tier Two

Despite our best efforts, the Board of Commission voted to prevent any late-night establishment within 500 feet of a residential property line in Tier Two on Sept. 28.  This effectively prohibits such establishments in any part of Tier Two. We had hoped to have the opportunity to attract decent restaurants such as Applebee’s that might want to stay open after 12:30 a.m.  This all came about due to one bad actor at 1273 S. Hairston. We supported the Sherrington neighborhood’s effort to get that business shut down. 

We know that good operators exist, and they should be welcome in this community.  We wanted to have the option of going to a restaurant that serves alcohol after 12:30 a.m.   Many communities co-exist with such establishments, and we wanted the opportunity to attract such businesses. We worked out a compromise that requires special permit and noise controls before a late-night establishment would be allowed. It is unfortunate that the compromise was not enough.

This news was sent out to our email subscribers. Write to ghhcdc@gmail.com to subscribe.

https://mailchi.mp/b8c7e803563e/upcoming-meetings-about-your-community

The Aug. 25, Planning Commission hearing to review the Hidden Hills townhome/apartment development will be deferred to Sept. 22, 6 p.m. The meeting was postponed due to insufficient public notice.

The GHHCDC and Hidden Hills Civic Association are working to get the developers’ commitments in writing and to get renderings. We will keep you posted.

We want to work with the developers to explain their intention to convert the office building to assisted living or elder care; define what will happen to the greenspace; and add details about the amenities.

Once the Planning Commission makes a decision, there is no more review. It does not go to the Board of Commissioners.

We will provide the Zoom link for the meeting once we get it.

We’re meeting Aug. 21, 10 – 11 a.m.

At Saturday’s meeting, we will have an update on the public hearing on the proposed townhome/apartment development on the center of the closed Hidden Hills golf course. We will also discuss proposed developments on Panola Road and Rockbridge/Hairston.

Join GHHCDC Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82529894562?pwd=Z2ZZeHI2YkJXazhFcnVad2NKOVNmUT09

Meeting ID: 825 2989 4562

Passcode: 099974

Phone: 646 558 8656 

The Planning Commission is reviewing the Hidden Hills sketch plat on  Aug. 25, 6 p.m.  The Commission can vote to approve, deny, or defer for a one-time revision.  We are asking for the item to be put on the next meeting date because this one did not meet the publication notice deadlines. 

We want to work with the developer to explain their intention to convert the office building to assisted living or elder care; define what will happen to the greenspace; add details about the amenities.

Once the Planning Commission  makes a decision, there are no more review. It does not go to the Board of Commissioners.

You can attend the Planning Commission meeting Aug. 25, 6 p.m.  at: 

https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/94261560575

Dial: 888 270 9936 (US Toll Free) Conference code: 934462

The sketch plat that the Planning Commission  will review is available at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z9QCzrAKhLepy9rH01XVjAkjkrOhsM_6/view?usp=sharing

Late-Night Establishments in Tier Two Modified Sensibly

The Board of Commissioners approved a sensible amendment to the late-night establishments in Tier Two of the Hidden Hills overlay district.  It will allow them as long as the establishment meets stringent noise control requirements – basically there can be no noise, including bass tones and vibrations, that one can hear outside the building.

This was a compromise worked out over many meetings during the past months. However, the Sherrington group is not satisfied and has asked for another hearing to prevent any late-night establishment from being within 500 feet of a residential boundary line. The problem with that tactic is that it will cut out the opportunity for a late-night establishment in most parts of Tier Two.

This link will show you a map of the overlay district.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t4MyNPbX_HuzcDVt3pprxSrWuuushjAe/view?usp=sharing

What is a late-night establishment? “Any establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises where such establishment is open for use by patrons beyond 12:30 a.m.  A late-night establishment must be 1,500 feet away from the line of property zoned residential.” 

Please write to our commissioners to tell them thank you for the amendment. The extra protection with noise controls is a good idea. No other change is needed.   

Cochran-Johnson, Lorraine, Commissioner District 7
LCJohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov

Johnson, Mereda D., Commissioner District 5
mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov

Steve Bradshaw, Commissioner District 4
 srbradshaw@dekalbcountyga.gov

Last chance! Survey closes Aug. 22!

What is your vision for DeKalb County? Please take a few minutes to share your opinion.  Take the online survey at www.dekalb2050unifiedplan.com/

Stay safe everybody!