CONTACTS 
|
|
|
Home > Leaf Talk > Recent Messages
Leaf Talk
Recent Messages
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Community Garden Graded | Yesterday @ 6:01pm | The Holly Lane entry is now cleared and rough graded for area of future community garden and playground. This area has been seeded for grass.
The maintenance path from Holy Lane through the park to Kittredge entry has been rough graded. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Activity in Executive Park | June 14, 2013 @ 8:40am | DeKalb was posting the AT+T property fronting I-85 when I drove through Executive Park yesterday. I checked back later to confirm. They are requesting a Special Land Use Permit for an increase in building height. As you may be aware they were not part of the Executive Park rezoning. The adjacent property was approved for up to 12 story hotel use. I don't know if this signals interest in development or if this is for AT+T use or positioning for maximum resale.
Application is SLUP 13-18618 to be heard at Community Council on June 18th at 6:30pm in Toco Hill Library (Avis Williams?). July 9th at 6:30pm at Planning Commission. July 16th at 6:30pm at BOC.
Planning phone is 404-371-2155 for info.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Unintended Consequence?? | June 2, 2013 @ 3:45pm | Do you think DeKalb should actively prevent Bruester's Ice Cream or Chipotle Fast Food (both metal exterior) from building in DeKalb? How about Zaxby's or Taco Bell (maybe not best examples, but both use EIFS synthetic stucco)?
These franchises and hundreds of others have spent a lot of time and effort to create a standard corporate look. They rarely modify these crafted designs, unless a market is so lucrative that it is warranted.
By limiting use of materials, DeKalb will effectively force those and others to choose to build elsewhere. I don't know what percentage of county income is derived from business, but I'm sure my property taxes would be much higher without them.
I have been questioning the arbitrary restriction of exterior building finish materials for the 4 years this document has been in the works.
Still no answers, but I have spoken at both the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners hearings. I have asked about the difficulty of deciding what is legal based on the simplistic and incorrect language of the code. I have also asked why only one set of materials is offered for single-family, commercial, and industrial; without distinction of their different forms of construction.
Remember, any property that sustains casualty damage of greater than 60% of value, will be required to build to the new cosmetic standard. If your house or business is damaged, just when you have the least resources to rebuild, you will be forced by the new DeKalb Zoning Ordinance to upgrade not only the safety items (as required by state law for 50% damage) but also cosmetic exterior finishes and roofing. I already know of many instances of owners cashing the insurance check and moving their business elsewhere. That could become the norm in DeKalb if this is approved on June 25th.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Copperhead Snakes! | June 2, 2013 @ 2:31pm | On Friday as I walked through the Park, a Copperhead snake slithered right across the walking path - about 2 feet long. It was very near the children's play area. We also killed a smaller Copperhead in our backyard recently. I know there are some beneficial snakes...but I don't count Copperheads in that group!!
Martha Krenson
1224 Citadel |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Board of Commissioner Ruling | May 28, 2013 @ 8:59pm | The BOC met on May 28th and had quite a few more speakers from the audience than were at the Planning Commission.
I spoke again about the issue of mandatory and restricted finish materials. There was a representative from EIMA, the synthetic stucco industry group, wanting to be included on the list of allowed primary finish materials.
Commissioner Rader spoke to many specific items and procedures that were not yet resolved, or that appeared to need more work. Commissioner Gannon spoke to an issue that I have been concerned with, that the Planning staff may not have enough personnel to deal with all the decisions required by this ordinance.
A vote was unanimous to agree with staff recommendation to DEFER this until June 25th, which is a day time hearing. It was hoped that additional comments could be emailed or presented to the County by June 7th and a final public meeting will be scheduled for June 18th at the Malouf Auditorium 5-7pm to review these comments and consider any final concerns. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc. | May 23, 2013 @ 12:02am | C.A.N. has now spun off and incorporated a committee, City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc.
At the second meeting, Wed. May 22nd, the decision was made to form committees to start publicity, fund raising, logo, press releases, banking, and to target Carl Vinson Institute for the mandatory study. There are now 8 board members and pledges of $12,000 (some need matching funds) toward the CVI study cost of $30,000.
briarcliffga.org is set up as a blank website, that is expected to have map and content within a week or so. If this interests you or you wish to protect your rights, please contribute if you can. 501.C4 is or will soon be filed, so contributions will not be tax deductible, but allows us to advocate for this. Deadline to fund CVI study is July 1.
All neighborhoods in the study area are encouraged to follow this initiative and attend the meetings. Press releases will be sent for larger venues in early June. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Groundbreaking Photo | May 15, 2013 @ 1:37pm | If you get DeKalb Neighbor, there is a nice photo story in section B of Wed. May 15th 2013 edition.
I made it in a few pictures, as did our leader Steve Richards. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| C.A.N. Spin off Committee | May 10, 2013 @ 7:48am | I was drafted onto a committee to investigate the C.A.N. response to the Cityhood debate. May 9th we looked at the multiple plans for cities in the northwest central DeKalb area. The concern is with the advanced proposal for the city of Lakeside.
CAN is primarily interested in backing the more logical plan of the City of Briarcliff, the only one including LaVista Park. 3 modes of action were considered:
1. to work toward county reform
2. to support City of Briarcliff
3. to support a larger discussion that would assemble all city plans in north DeKalb and decide best boundaries and best economic plan, then steer all groups to a common goal, whether that involves one, two, or no cities.
1. was determined to not be time dependent.
2. Costs $30,000 and needs to be acted on immediately to meet July 1 deadline.
3. Costs $50,000 and may not effectively stop the alternate city plans from going to vote, thereby negating the effort.
It was determined to pursue choice 2. Officers were chosen and will be incorporated as a non-profit organization with the state. A 501-4c will be formed to accept non-deductible contributions as an expedient. Civic Associations, individuals, and businesses will be approached to back this effort with funding to compete with Lakeside. The money needs to be presented to either the Carl Vinson or Andrew Young Institute by July 1 to commission the required economic study. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus |
|
|
| Ground Breaking Ceremony | May 10, 2013 @ 7:33am | May 9th there was a ground breaking ceremony at Kittredge well attended by current and former politicians, county employees, and neighborhood leaders, along with the active members of Friends of Kittredge Park. The history of the park was recounted by those that made it happen.
A decorative Fringe tree was planted by the rocks, to commemorate the event.
The construction plans were detailed in brief.
The park will be closed during this phase of work.
FKP expects the next clean up date to correspond with Emory's 9/11 memorial day of service in September. Hopefully everyone will be rested up and motivated by the completion of infrastructure projects to ensure a large turnout of volunteers. |
|
|
|
|
|
| DOCUMENTS
may open pdf files
|
|
