Friday, December 30, 2011

Melton's Reopening TODAY [Dec. 30]

As posted in their Facebook page and website, Melton's reopens today.

Their Facebook page features their latest health inspection. It appears the kitchen's definitely ready for food prep, and possibly clean enough for surgery:

Friday, December 23, 2011

Dog Found @ Scott Circle now has new home :)

Thanks to Steiph or Jenna Zargon for hosting this lost doggy, who now has a forever home with Colleen.
 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

DeKalb County Requesting Bids for Public Safety Enhanced Video Surveillance System

From The Champion newspaper:

Request for Proposals: DeKalb County Government requests qualified individuals and firms with experience and certified expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining an integrated enhanced video surveillance system to submit proposals for Public Safety Enhanced Video Surveillance System (RFP No. 11-500211).”

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Approved: Selig's Special Exception to Reduce Parking at Suburban Plaza

From the MANA Board:

Dear neighbors,

Earlier today, the DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved Selig Enterprises' special exception to reduce parking; this vote clears the way for the next stage in the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza. It was a very contentious meeting as many people felt it was their only venue for stating how they feel about Walmart. As noted elsewhere, Suburban Plaza is already zoned for a big box store with Walmart’s specs and the ZBA could only vote to do one of three things: accept the request, reject it, or defer it for later consideration. The ZBA voted to accept the request with conditions (see below).

MANA feels the negotiation succeeded in reaching concessions that would not have been offered otherwise. MANA was the only organization that was, due to incorporation status, able and willing to sign an agreement. Several other neighborhood groups agreed not oppose or support the special exception if Selig and Walmart continued working with MANA.

The documents that resulted from MANA's negotiations with Selig are available below.
  • The Memo of Understanding (MOU) outlines non-binding agreements between MANA and Selig Enterprises. We believe Selig enters this agreement in good faith. 
  • The Conditions document  lists conditions that Selig agreed to as part of negotiating neighborhood support for their request to the ZBA. 
MANA will be in touch with Selig Enterprises to continue discussions, and will continue to share information with the neighborhood as it becomes available.

- - - - - -

Local News have reported on the ZBA vote as follows:  AJC,  The Champion

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Recent Coyote Sightings

Saturday, 12/3/2011, ~8 a.m.: Single large coyote seen walking down the street, 800th block of Gaylemont Circle

Monday, 12/12/11, 7:35am: "I live on Alberson Court and this morning at 7:35am I saw two large coyotes in the yard across the street. One appeared to have a squirrel in his mouth. The other was trotting along beside. I watched as they crossed three yards on Alberson Ct. and then crossed Woodridge Rd. and then seemed to disappear into a driveway/backyard on Woodridge."

Saturday, December 10, 2011

MANA Statement on Selig's Request for a Parking Special Exception for Suburban Plaza Redevelopment

From the MANA Board:

Opposing Walmart’s presence in our neighborhood was never an option because Suburban Plaza is already zoned for a big box store with Walmart’s specs. The only issue on the table is the parking special exception, the question being: “Will this redevelopment plan work with fewer parking spaces than what the County requires?” Opposing the parking variance only argues for more parking, not against Walmart at Suburban Plaza.

Given this situation, the MANA Board decided to try to get as many concessions as possible for the neighborhood from Selig and Walmart. To that end, we have spent hundreds of volunteer hours
organizing community meetings with neighborhood groups, the developer (Selig, Walmart) and DeKalb County (DOT, Commissioners and staff)

  • identifying concerns of our neighborhood and others
  • making specific requests and recommendations (both general and specific to certain neighborhoods) to the developer and County
  • seeking legal counsel
  • coordinating neighborhood group exchanges and
  • keeping the community informed via our website and e-news

Selig has asked MANA to support their parking variance request. This is not a decision the Board took lightly. After much consideration and discussion, the Board decided that it is in our neighborhood’s best interest to do so. In return, the MANA Board is negotiating an agreement that addresses a number of our concerns. The Boards of surrounding neighborhoods will also support this agreement. These negotiations are ongoing and we will post the contract as soon as it is finalized. Please check this space for updates.

We believe these agreements are being negotiated in good faith. Individuals, of course, remain free to form their own opinions.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Work day at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve [Dec. 11]

from Chris Beck, President, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve

Sunday, December 11
1-3pm

Join us for a volunteer day at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Check out the progress on the new kiosk/pavilion and then help us maintain trails and continue habitat restoration after the privet removal.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

LOST CAT: Liza is elderly, hard of hearing, and under the weather



From Schoel Drive. 18-year-old female orange tabby. Very hard of hearing, but her name is Liza. About 5 pounds, looks too skinny, but has been sick with upper respiratory infection so has a stuffy nose, wheezing, runny eyes. No collar; has been confined to indoors. Accidently got outside around noon - one o'clock Monday. If seen, please call Jeanne or Jane Walsh, 404-633-2698 or 404-232-0309. Thanks!

Let's try to find this kitty and get her back home so she can get well.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Support Melton's grand re-opening via gift certificates

From Melton's Facebook page:

Also per the Facebook page, the plan is that Melton's will reopen by the 1st of the year.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

As seen on Medlock Park this weekend...

On the bank of South Peachtree Creek

A young  hawk, sunning itself.

And by a ball field, a mystery, a celebration?



Photos by Russ

Scenes from the One Love, One Heart 5K



Limbering up before the race
And off they went...
Some little ones enjoyed the race in comfort...
... while others ran it the old-fashioned way.
One and all racing for the  Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation.
Photos by Russ

Saturday, December 3, 2011

DeKalb County's proposed franchise agreement renewal with Comcast

From The Champion, Thursday December 1-7, 2011
DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications 
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcast's current performance under the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of your community to http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov.
The "contact us" link on the website directs to 311chc@co.dekalb.ga.us

Friday, December 2, 2011

One Love, One Heart 5K [Dec. 3]


The One Love, One Heart 5K (run/walk), to benefit the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation and research facilities, will be working its way through Medlock Park on the morning of Saturday December 3, 2011.

Cones like the one above have been placed around the neighborhood.

Contact:
Ed Williams - 404-327-7738.
Jen or Jim Pomfret - 404-228-3915

Schedule:
Saturday, December 3
8:45 a.m. - Race Day Registration
10:00 a.m. - 5K Run/Walk.

Entry Fees
Pre-registration (by November 26) - $20
After November 26 & Race day registration - $25

See One Love, One Heart 5K for registration form and details.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Decatur residents meet with Selig/Suburban Plaza

Patch reports on a community meeting between Selig Enterprises and City of Decatur neighbors that took place on on November 30. Live blogging of the event is also posted.

Local coverage of the meeting by Decatur Heights blog: Meeting audio & live blogging of meeting