economic development

Public hearings on gas station and recreation center; Get ready for Battle of the Bands

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 Please make a note of the following events:

 

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. – Review of recreation center proposal

The Tropical Sports Club will present to the community a concept for a neighborhood recreation center. This meeting will be at the proposed site, a single-family house at 1943 South Hairston Road. There is limited parking. Please carpool.

 

Thursday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m. – Review of gas station proposal at Lou Walker Center

Murphy Oil USA is proposing to build a Murphy’s gas station in front of LA Fitness on Covington Hwy. The community is invited to hear about the plans on Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center. The site plan and rendering are attached. Murphy Gas Rendering     Murphy Gas Site Plan

 

 Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. The next GHHCDC meeting, which will be devoted to ensuring the Aug. 22 Battle of the Bands’ success. Join us at the Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Martin Road, 30088. All are welcome. We’ll be discussing the Aug. 22 Battle of the Bands event, the streetscape improvement plans, and grant applications.

 

 Saturday, August 22, Battle of the Bands, a community celebration

11:15 – volunteers begin setting up.

Event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

 

Where: Redan Village: NE corner of S. Hairston & Redan, in front of Jay’s Place

This community event will showcase creative students and local businesses. Join us!

* Celebrate the creativity of local high school bands (Including the Redan Raiders!)

* Compete for top honors in the Little Caesar’s Shaker Board contest

* Vote on the best haircut by the skilled barbers from Nick’s

* Watch local deejays battle it out for best in class

* Enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers

* Win prizes, just by coming out!

* See what local businesses have to offer

 

Contributing sponsors include Jay’s Place, Zaxby’s, Kroger, and Bruster’s.

We’ll be raffling off great prizes – tickets are free but we encourage tax deductible donations to our community development corporation.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs may reserve tables for $25: contact GHHCDC@gmail.com for information. Or, call 508-591-3526.

 

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

A flyer is attached. Please share. Flyer-Battle of Bands

 

Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. The next GHHCDC meeting. All are welcome. Join us at the Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Martin Road, 30088.

Public Safety and Economic Development

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What is on the minds of residents and business owners alike? Safety and code enforcement. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is committed to economic development, but progress is dependent upon effective law enforcement. When we met with the owner of Redan Village shopping center and the owner of Jay’s Place, these concerns were uppermost on their minds.

That is why we are telling you about these two meetings:

Public Safety Meeting at Mainstreet Community Center May 19, 6:30 pm

Address: 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

The May 19 public safety meeting will include key DeKalb county officials who will address questions on public safety, criminal activity, and code enforcement.

 

GHHCDC monthly meeting May 23, 10 a.m. at Mainstreet Community Center

Address: 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

We will continue planning our next event – the Battle of the Bands, August 22 (noon to 2 pm) at Redan Village. We welcome your ideas.

 

Update from last meeting

At the GHHCDC April 25 meeting, we heard about the expansion plans for Antioch Manor Estates Senior Community at S. Hairston and Woodway/Bishop Ming. Housing Authority of DeKalb County Vice President of Real Estate Sharon D. Guest presented plans for the third phase of the senior community at S. Hairston and Bishop Ming Roads. If DeKalb wins a Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant (to be decided in the fall), the third phase will be built. The $17 million development would have 124 units.

Currently, there are 125 units in phase one and about 260 in phase two.

There is a huge need for affordable senior housing; Antioch already has 300 people on the waiting list.

Other details: The project cannot provide assisted living because of the nature of the tax credits. It would meet EarthCraft standards for environmental standards.

Business seminar
Entrepreneurs in the Greater Hidden Hills area appreciated the tips and resources provided by John Ernst, business consultant with the UGA Small Business Development Center. The event was put on by the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation April 21. Special thanks to White Oak Hills Baptist church for hosting the event.

Touch-a-Truck – Great Results and Photos

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The Greater Hidden Hills Touch-a-Truck was a success. Lots of people stopped by to see the sanitation trucks, natural gas powered vehicles, ambulance, and police car on March 21 at Redan/Hairston. Thanks to all of the county workers, volunteers, and businesses that supported the effort. We especially appreciate the DeKalb County Sanitation Department for bringing so many vehicles.

IMG_3731-e IMG_3756 IMG_3755

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see a slide show of the event at http://youtu.be/fVYkbGHG-DQ

We appreciate these businesses that bought tables:

  • Herbert Love, LegalShield Independent Associate (www.hlove.legalshieldassociate.com or hlove1223@aol.com)
  • MedPost, the new urgent care facility near Kroger
  • Taryn Lawrence State Farm Insurance Agency, at 1230 S. Hairston
  • Cassandra Sutton, HealthCare, csutton227@yahoo.com

We received additional support from these businesses:

  • Jay’s Place provided a DJ for the event, and the team rocked the parking lot! DJ T-Nice with TMD Production announced raffle winners and urged people to come over.
  • Zaxby’s enthusiastically supported our efforts. They offered the parking lot, but we moved right behind the restaurant because we had so many vehicles.
  • Redan Village Plaza owner, Mr. Vaswani, was opened the parking lot to us.

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

 

Don’t forget the upcoming business seminar. Please share this announcement with all small business owners and White Oak Church Mapentrepreneurs.

Take Advantage of Technology   April 21, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: White Oak Hills Baptist Church, 5171 Redan Rd, Stone Mountain, GA, 30088

This seminar will help businesses grow and prosper. Experienced business consultant John Ernst with the Georgia Small Business Development Corporation will discuss strategies and answer your questions. He owned and operated businesses for more than 25 years, and he has expertise in finance, marketing, family business management, and customer service.

 

There is no charge. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is putting on this event to help area businesses.

 

 

 

Mark Your Calendars–Touch-a-Truck and Business Seminar are Coming

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Touch-a-Truck

Touch-a-Truck March 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Corner of S. Hairston & Redan next to Zaxby’s

 

Touch and explore emergency, construction, and service vehicles. Enjoy live entertainment and meet local business owners. This fun family event is for kids of all ages, and it is free! March 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Participants include the DeKalb County Police Department, Fire Department, Watershed Management, andRedan-Hairston Map Sanitation Department.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs may set up tables for a small fee: contact GHHCDC@gmail.com or call 508-591-3526.

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

(Rain date: March 28, 11- 2 p.m.)

 

Take Advantage of Technology   April 21, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: White Oak Hills Baptist Church, 5171 Redan Rd, Stone Mountain, GA, 30088

This seminar will help businesses grow and prosper. Experienced business consultant John Ernst with the Georgia Small Business Development Corporation will discuss strategies and answer your questions. He owned and operated businesses for more than 25 years, and he has expertise in finance, marketing, family business management, and customer service.

There is no charge. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is putting on this event to help area businesses.

 

Next meeting of the Greater Hidden Hills CDC is March 28, 10.a.m. However, if the Touch-a-Truck event is postponed because of rain, then our meeting will by March 21.   Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. All are welcome.

 

Non-profit Status, Upcoming Events, Panola Slopes’ Response

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Now a 501(c)(3)

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation is officially a 501(c)(3), giving us tax-exempt status. This is wonderful news! Thanks to Board member Joyce Russell who completed and filed the paperwork, and to Jerome Chavis, Chief Operating Officer, NTRC, who gave us excellent advice to get us started.

This designation is a significant accomplishment. It allows contributors to deduct their donations. It allows the GHHCDC to apply for a variety of grants.

 

Community and Business Events are Scheduled

As part of our effort to promote economic development in the Greater Hidden Hills area, we will have two events this spring.

Saturday, March 21, we invite the community to a Touch-a-Truck event. This is an opportunity to bring the family to see emergency vehicles, such as a fire truck, police car, and ambulance. Zaxby’s on S. Hairston has graciously agreed to let us use the parking lot.

We plan to have entertainment, share information about the GHHCDC, and give local businesses a chance to promote themselves.

Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., we will have a 90-minute business seminar on Taking Advantage of Technology, with a key component on Building and Maintaining the Customer Base. More details to come!

These activities will be much more successful if we have a few more volunteers to help. Please join us for our next monthly meeting, Feb. 21, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, 30088

 

APD Solutions Responds to Panola Slopes Media Coverage

The entertainment complex proposed for Covington Highway near Young Road received negative media attention this week. APD Solutions owns the property and has met frequently with the community. The GHHCDC supports this development. It received approval from the DeKalb Board of Commissioners Dec. 16, after months of delays.

APD Solutions CEO Vaughn Irons sent a letter addressing the concerns. A portion is quoted below:

I see a means of changing the economic outlook of South/Central DeKalb with what we have envisioned for Panola Slope. The project is planned to be a resort for visitors and entertainment district for locals. We are bringing the finest amenities, unique experiences and safety to that corridor.

 This new project will bring a total of $28 million of new investment to the area. We are providing 3 new upscale restaurants, a one-of-a-kind Barcade, 4 retail boutiques, lodging of 72 sleeping rooms, swimming pool, outdoor performance pavilion and finally a top notch full service 10,000 SF conference center.

But attempts to lift up our community are never without controversy. Some media outlets are trying to suggest that because one of my investors owns casinos out of state, that this is a “backdoor” attempt to bring casino gambling to Georgia.

 These allegations are ludicrous. Casino gambling is illegal in Georgia. Our Barcade at Panola Resort will include amusement games for adult patrons that are legal and allowable under Georgia law. Any suggestion to the contrary is an intentional misrepresentation of the facts.

Click on this link to read Mr. Vaughn’s full letter: Irons Letter to DeKalb

 

Jan Costello
President, Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation

 

Response to Media Coverage on Panola Slopes

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The entertainment complex planned at Panola Slopes is suddenly getting a lot of attention. The zoning was approved by the Board of Commissions, with conditions, on Dec. 16.  Now, various objections are surfacing.

CEO Vaughn Irons wrote a letter addressing the concerns. A portion is quoted elow:

I see a means of changing the economic outlook of South/Central DeKalb with what we have envisioned for Panola Slope. The project is planned to be a resort for visitors and entertainment district for locals. We are bringing the finest amenities, unique experiences and safety to that corridor.

This new project will bring a total of $28 million of new investment to the area. We are providing 3 new upscale restaurants, a one-of-a-kind Barcade, 4 retail boutiques, lodging of 72 sleeping rooms, swimming pool, outdoor performance pavilion and finally a top notch full service 10,000 SF conference center.

But attempts to lift up our community are never without controversy. Some media outlets are trying to suggest that because one of my investors owns casinos out of state, that this is a “backdoor” attempt to bring casino gambling to Georgia.

These allegations are ludicrous. Casino gambling is illegal in Georgia. Our Barcade at Panola Resort will include amusement games for adult patrons that are legal and allowable under Georgia law. Any suggestion to the contrary is an intentional misrepresentation of the facts.

To see the full letter, please click on the link below; when the new page opens, click on the link once more.

Irons Letter to DeKalb

Building Momentum in the Greater Hidden Hills Community

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We completed our first full year of operation, and we have achieved much for a new organization. We are building momentum and making plans for 2015.

We formed the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation to push for revitalization, economic development, and beautification. We are working to achieve the vision we have for the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay Zoning District, which is roughly the area within and next to Covington, Hairston, Redan, and Panola.

We are working to bring the right kind of economic development to the Greater Hidden Hills area.

Our advocacy on behalf of the community included the following volunteer efforts:

  • Met with James Davis, owner of the 188-acre closed golf course, to review the overlay vision and the opportunities for redevelopment.
  • Worked with PJ’s Liquor Store (1241 Panola Road) on his expansion plans, leading to design, landscape, and security improvements.
  • Met with a planned community developer (Columbia Residential) and toured a senior community as part of the effort to attract a senior community to a portion of the community.
  • Had several meetings with APD Solutions about plans to retrofit Panola Slopes on Covington Highway into an entertainment and resort complex. The DeKalb Board of Commissioners approved the zoning requests with neighborhood-sensitive conditions on Dec. 16.
  • Created and distributed a brochure (available on this website under the “About Us” tab) that shows why the effort is needed: billions of dollars flow out of our neighborhood; people spend their money in other communities! Let’s build a better business environment and keep the dollars at home!

We are gratified to have the support of businesses in the community. Thanks to Jerome Chavis, owner of the tax advisory services firm NTRC at Rockbridge/Hairston; Joe Hubbard, owner Apex Automotive Services at 1131 S. Hairston Road; Vaughn Irons, CEO of APD Solutions; Jay’s Place at Redan/Hairston. These businesses have joined the effort early because they know that we can make big improvements by working together.

We also appreciate the neighborhood associations that have contributed: Mainstreet Community, Muirfield, and the Hidden Hills Civic Association. Individuals have also donated.

As a result, we raised enough money in 2014 to file for 501(c)(3) status. We are preparing the documents and plan to file in January 2015. Once we are a federally recognized non-profit, your contributions will be tax deductible and we will be able to apply for community development grants.

We welcome your annual membership. For individuals, it is $20. Businesses and subdivisions may join for $75. The application is on our website (under the “Contact Us” tab ), or you can request one by email (ghhcdc@gmail.com) .

We continue to build a network of residents, business owners, and commercial property owners to improve the economic viability of the community. Community development experts from Tucker and Lilburn shared experience and advice with us in the summer.

Based on a survey we conducted in the fall, we learned that businesses would like a workshop on Taking Advantage of Technology, with a key focus on using technology to build and maintain the customer base. With the help of consultants at the Small Business Development Corporation, a resource provided by the state, we will have the workshop in the spring 2015.

We plan to have the Touch-a-Truck affair in late March. This is a fun community affair that showcases emergency and county vehicles. It will be in one of the shopping center parking lots at the Redan/Hairston intersection. This affair will create a fun community event, promote the organization, provide opportunity to promote the business seminar, and raise donations.

Our next meeting will be Jan. 24, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. All are welcome.

 

Submitted by Jan Costello, President Greater Hidden Hills CDC.

I would like to give special thanks to the hard work of the Board of Directors: Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Joyce Russell, Charlene Taylor, and Phyllis Frierson.

Proposed Development at Adcox and S. Hairston Out of Compliance

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The development proposed at 1332 S. Hairston Road does not comply with the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay Code, signed in law in DeKalb County in Dec. 2011. The proposed development (between Adcox Road and The Reserve at Stone Creek apartment complex) falls in Tier Two. In this tier, the overlay allows “lower-density development in a mixed-use context more compatible with the adjacent single-family neighborhoods. Sec. 27-730.4.5. 

The property was purchased for $427,500 on Oct. 9, 2012, by Kawaljeet & Son, Inc., according to DeKalb County tax records. The purchase was made ten months after the overlay code went into effect. The developer and architect discussed their plans with the community on Nov. 5, at Hairston Library. (Site plan photo attached).

Gas Station Site Plan-Compliance Issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the ways the proposal does not comply are:

  1. Proposed gas station is prohibited in Tier 2 Sec. 27-730.4.10

  2. Proposed convenience store is prohibited in Tier 2 Sec. 27-730.4.10

  3. 3.      Does not provide publicly accessible open space. Twenty percent of the development must be publicly accessible open space, directly accessible from a public sidewalk and building entrances. Sec. 27-730.4.23

  4. 4.      Does not provide multimodal access (required to provide safe and convenient pedestrian access routes to sidewalks along streets and to each building entrance; required to provide connections to driveways, sidewalks, and bike paths; required to provide bike parking facilities) Sec. 27-730.4.31, and Sec. 27-730.4.13 (h) and (i).

  5. 5.      Does not meet sidewalk width requirement. Sidewalks along Hairston must be at least 10-feet wide Sec. 27-730.4.27

The plan is not complete, so we do not know if the requirements on transitional buffer zones are met. There must be 30 feet or more of natural state or landscaped area to provide a visual screen between the building and the adjacent property. Sec. 27-730.4.14

Overlay Created to Enhance Economic Development

More than one dozen neighborhoods worked for several years to create a vision for the economic vitality and quality of life of the Greater Hidden Hills community. These neighborhoods include Chapman’s Mill, Essex Farm, Hidden Hills, Kennon’s Walk, Kingsgate, Kings Ridge, Mainstreet Community, the Meadows, Muirfield, Redan Park, and Scarbrough Square.

 

DeKalb County established the Greater Hidden Hills overlay zoning district to:

  • Encourage economic development and smart growth
  • Improve connectivity on foot, by bike, and by motorized transit.
  • Attract preferred types of businesses
  • Conserve greenspace
  • Create design standards for new buildings, signage, landscaping, streetscaping, and parking lots

 

Certain kinds of businesses are specifically prohibited because they do not meet our economic and community goals. However, we actively encourage many enterprises. The overlay zoning code allows streamlined approval for these community-supported businesses:

  • Banks, credit unions and financial institutions
  • Business and professional offices
  • Educational services
  • Production, audio and video studios
  • Fitness and health centers
  • Medical and health services and supplies
  • Mixed-use development
  • Restaurants and late night establishments
  • Retail shops
  • Personal services such as day spas, beauty and barber shops, laundry and dry cleaning, alterations and repair
  • Family entertainment centers, including bowling and games
  • Art gallery, cultural facilities, movie theaters, and art supply stores
  • Hotels
  • Animal hospital or clinic, supplies, grooming

 

If the owner wants to pursue his development plans, he will have to go through the special land use process. This entails hearings by the Community Council, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Board of Commissioners. The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation will continue to monitor the situation. We have asked to meet with the developer again to try and work out an acceptable solution.