Category: Traffic

MARTA Recap: Your Feedback is Needed

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

I wanted to reach out to everyone and say thank you for those who attended the meeting tonight at Westminster Church.  I know that I learned a lot and I heard a lot of opinions tonight.

To recap the meeting:

  • At this point MARTA is looking at three different options (Heavy Rail, Light Rail, and "converted" Heavy/Light) and three different levels (below ground, at ground level and elevated).
  • MARTA is starting to talk to CSX about using their right of way above or below grade, but at grade isn't an option.
  • Right of way acquisitions seem like a virtual certainty for plans at or above grade plans (unknown how much if any right of way acquisitions will have to be made for a below grade plan.

MARTA is currently in Phase 2 of their initial analysis phase, it is their intention to come out of Phase 2 within a few months with one plan that will go forward.  This plan will then get approved and them move forward to an environmental analysis to find out if the plan is even possible.  If the plan isn't possible, they go back and adopt another plan.

Based on the conversations tonight, I would like to get feedback from you as residents.  It is imperative that we have one voice.

Please email me your comments and concerns so WHNA makes sure we represent our residents.  You can email me at president@woodlandhillsatlanta.org

Sincerely,

Brad Grulke
WHNA President

1489 LaVista Road Public Hearing

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

Title: 1489 LaVista Road Public Hearing
Location: 330 W Pounce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 on the 1st floor in Conference Room A
Description: DeKalb County Planning and Development Department Public Hearing

We have learned that the DeKalb Planning Department has already agreed to signed off on the entrance from the property to and from Shepherds Lane with limited access from LaVista (no access to LaVista). They considered this a \"minor\" change. Without a strong turn out on Monday this will become a REALITY.

WE NEED YOU THERE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR NO ACCESS TO AND FROM SHEPHERDS LANE.

The meeting will be held on September 13th at 6pm at 330 W Pounce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 on the 1st floor in Conference Room A. Please make every effort to attend. If you cannot drive there, let me know and we will find you transportation.
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2010-09-13
End Time: 19:30

URGENT: 1489 LaVista Road Update

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

Dear Residents,

Wednesday was the 1st meeting regarding the redevelopment of 1489 LaVista Road. It was with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Both Dr. Jacobson and the surrounding neighborhoods asked for and were granted a deferral until the vehicular access to the property is discussed at next Monday's DeKalb County Planning and Development Department Public Hearing.

Monday's meeting is absolutely crucial. We have learned that the DeKalb Planning Department has already agreed to signed off on the entrance from the property to and from Shepherds Lane with limited access from LaVista (no access to LaVista). They considered this a "minor" change. Without a strong turn out on Monday this will become a REALITY.

WE NEED YOU THERE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR NO ACCESS TO AND FROM SHEPHERDS LANE.

The meeting will be held on September 13th at 6pm at 330 W Pounce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 on the 1st floor in Conference Room A. Please make every effort to attend. If you cannot drive there, let me know and we will find you transportation.

Woodland HIlls position on Shepherds Lane access is as follows:

No vehicular access onto Shepherds Lane from this property

We have several concerns regarding Shepherds Lane car access.

1. Shepherds Lane is a residential street.
2. At the other end of Shepherds Lane, we already have curb cut access to three businesses: QuikTrip, Marcus Institute, and Shepherds Construction. One of WHNA long term goals is to maintain and enhance the residential integrity of Shepherds Lane. By allowing driveway access to Shepherds Lane by another business, we open up the possibility of more "developmental creep."
3. While today we are only talking about this property, there is a long term possibility that the south side of LaVista Road from Shepherds Lane up to the church could be redeveloped as a whole. Next to 1489 LaVista, heading towards Briarcliff, are two existing O&I properties (1493 and 1501 LaVista) and Sloan Square Apartments. It is our understanding that the business owners at 1493 and 1501 are nearing the end of their careers and may be open to selling those properties. Also, it has been brought to our attention that Sloan Square may want to redevelop in the near future. If these three properties, with or without Sloan Square, get redeveloped together, we could not only be looking at a single property accessing Shepherds Lane, but possibly an entire office park.

For those reasons, we are completely against car access to Shepherds Lane.

We propose that Dr. Jacobson should be granted full access to and from LaVista Road. No other business on LaVista has limited access to LaVista Road, why is this property any different?

Sincerely,

Brad Grulke
WHNA President

1489 LaVista Road O&I Buildings

Jesse Thompson Leave a comment

Dear Residents,

As you are aware, 1489 LaVista Road is in the process of being redeveloped to house office space. Back in 1981, this property was rezoned from Residential to allow for O&I (Office and Institutional) building. As it stands today, the buildable area for O&I is smaller than the owner, Dr. Wendy Jacobson, would like to accommodate her offices.

When she presented her plans to us, there were several issues that appeared. I am writing to inform you of the Woodland Hills Board of Directors' stance on the redevelopment of this property. I hope you will support us in our stance. We feel it is fair to the neighborhood and to the developer. Our positions are as follows:
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