Representative Mike Jacobs

County Commission May Decide Ashkouti Rezoning

September 22, 2008

Here is an update from the Merry Hills Homeowners Association on the Ashkouti proposal for a 385-unit high-density development on North Druid Hills Road. The county commission could make a final decision on the proposed rezoning for this project at their meeting on Tuesday, September 23:

This Tuesday evening September 23 at 6:30 p.m., the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will be holding a meeting to make final decisions concerning various zoning issues including the Ashkouti proposal for North Druid Hills.

As you know, their application has been denied by the community council and the DeKalb Planning Board. However, these two groups merely make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners who ultimately make the final decision. This will take place this Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive in Downtown Decatur.

There are other issues that they will be deciding and there is no way to know exactly when the Ashkouti proposal will come before them. However, as with the other two meetings, our appearance is of the utmost importance. Our commissioners value our input and look to see how the neighborhood feels about proposed development plans. Therefore, we respectfully encourage at least one member from each household to be present at this meeting.

It is also the case that other potential developers look to see how involved the neighborhood is in these issues. A large turnout on our part sends a strong message to both our elected representatives and other potential developers that we are concerned and involved in our community. This will serve to help US shape the future of OUR neighborhood.

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Posted by Mike Jacobs

Trifecta of Community Events

September 8, 2008

This is just a friendly “heads up” about three community meetings and events occurring in the near future.

The first is Tuesday’s DeKalb County Planning Commission meeting to review the Ashkouti Development proposal to build a 385-unit mega project that would raze two of the single-family homes on the cul-de-sac at the end of North Holly Lane in the Merry Hills neighborhood.

The second is an organizational meeting this Sunday for the Ashford Alliance, the umbrella community association for the neighborhoods around Murphey Candler Park, Nancy Creek, and Silver Lake.

The third is a fun “Open Mic Night” sponsored by the Chamblee Arts Alliance later this month.

A copy of the notice I received about each event is found below.

1. FROM THE MERRY HILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION:

As you all know the Ashkouti Development Co. is trying to gain approval for a 385 unit project on North Druid Hills Road. Gaining approval is a three step process. Step one took place the other week when the Community Council denied their application. The next step will be on Tuesday Sept. 9th when the DeKalb Planning Commission will be reviewing their request. After the Planning Commission it will go before the Board of Commissioners. Once again our presence at the Planning Commission next week is of great importance. Although they were denied by the community council, that in no way guarantees what the Planning Commission will decide. Therefore, a strong showing from the community will send a loud and clear message to our elected officials. I therefore respectfully suggest that all who are able to attend do so. Details as follows:

Tuesday September 9 th - 6:30 PM
Dekalb County Planning Commission
Auditorium in the Maloof Building
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur

2. FROM THE ASHFORD ALLIANCE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION:

I just wanted to make you aware that the Ashford Alliance Community Association is having a meeting that is open to our neighborhoods to discuss and receive your feedback on how the organization can best strengthen our voice on important issues impacting our homes, neighborhoods and this community. The purpose of this Sunday’s meeting is to ensure everyone has the ability to have a voice through the Ashford Alliance Community Association so that these issues can continue to be addressed effectively for the entire community.

The meeting will take place:

This Sunday, September 14, 2008
D’Youville Club House
4148 D’Youville Trace
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The D’Youville neighborhood is located directly across the street from Chamblee Methodist Church on Chamblee Dunwoody Road.

Our DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Elaine Boyer and Bob Lundsten, longtime Board Member of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and DeKalb County Board of Zoning Appeals will be special guests. Each of them can impart a valuable perspective on some of the important issues coming our way which necessitate the need to have a strong community voice. They will also offer some insight into how some other civic associations in DeKalb County have grown and strengthened their voices.

Below are a few observations I have made which reinforce the need to engage the issues and consider the impacts to our property, neighborhoods, schools, parks and infrastructure in a community wide forum like the Ashford Alliance Community Association:

-The City of Dunwoody transitions into operation in December 2008 and they will be defining land use, transportation and growth policies which impact our neighborhoods and quality of life;

-DeKalb County will be undertaking to revise their Zoning Ordinance beginning some time in the next 6 months;

-Neighborhoods from Huntley Hills to Keswick Park and all the way to Ashford Dunwoody Road on the west and Harts Mill Road as a northern boundary are considering annexing into the City of Chamblee;

-DeKalb County will have a new CEO beginning in January 2009;

-The General Assembly is likely to take up transportation funding in the 2009 legislative session;

-The Cities of Doraville, Chamblee, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs and DeKalb County all have significant growth policies for the areas on the periphery of our neighborhoods and our community;

-Redevelopment and in-fill housing continue to occur at increased rates in our immediate neighborhoods and community, notwithstanding current slow to moderate growth in the economy as a whole;

-We have a new substation and Georgia Power may not be done looking in our community for new locations for additional substations;

-Our schools have recently transitioned and are experiencing increased enrollment, increasing traffic, pedestrian and neighborhood impacts;

-Our private schools are looking at changing facilities to keep pace with other private school facilities in the Atlanta Metro Area.

I’m sure you all have more observations of impacts and issues and hope that you share them with your neighbors through the Ashford Alliance Community Association.

I hope you consider these issues and find the time in what I know are very hectic family, work and community packed schedules to participate in the AACA when you can and attend this Sunday’s meeting.

3. FROM THE CHAMBLEE ARTS ALLIANCE:

Poets, Writers, Singers, Comedians, Politicians!

Open Mic Night
9/23/08
Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30 pm
At Get Coffee
5336 Peachtree Road, Chamblee 30341 (at Pierce)
678.580.2263

Meet your neighbors and fellow artists. Bring your biz cards and network.
To schedule a 5 minute slot, contact Brian Baker, 770.986.0907 or rbbakeratl@aol.com

No Comments » | Ashford Alliance, City of Chamblee, Community Events, DeKalb County, Toco Hills | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

Saving HTRG Saves You Money

September 1, 2008

Governor Perdue recently announced that he has frozen state payments into the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) fund which provides you with relief from your property tax bill. I have a simple two-word response to this decision: NO WAY.

This move would take $428 million out of homeowners’ pockets in order to stem the tide of a decline in other sources of state revenue. One estimate says that failing to fund this property tax relief could cost individual homeowners $250 per year on average.

Property tax relief is a welcome addition to any family budget, particularly in difficult economic times such as these. That $250 translates into a small handful of gas fill-ups or grocery bills. As a homeowner and father of two young children, it’s something I understand. When faced with an economic downturn, our state government should tighten its own belt, not tighten yours.

The reason the Governor is able to freeze these property tax relief grants is that the Georgia Constitution says the grants only exist to the extent they are funded in the state budget and does not provide that the grants must be funded at any specific amount. This should change. In the 2009 session of the General Assembly, I will sponsor a constitutional amendment to specify the amount of the grants.

Governor Perdue makes a point that these grants are often used by county governments as an excuse to increase their own spending without passing along any real savings to taxpayers. That is especially true in DeKalb County, where county government spending has increased more than 40 percent over the past eight years. However, this merely identifies another problem to be solved. It does not justify doing away with one of the solutions to skyrocketing property taxes.

No Comments » | Property Taxes, State Budget | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

Toco Hills Meeting with County Commissioners

September 1, 2008

DeKalb County Commissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon are hosting a meeting on Tuesday, September 2, to discuss the high-density development projects proposed for the Toco Hills area. Please consider attending this important meeting, as it is a chance to share your thoughts with the county commissioners who will make the final decision on any zoning changes that would be required for the proposed development projects. Here are the meeting details from an e-mail message from the North Druid Hills Residents Association:

You are invited and encouraged to attend a Community Meeting with DeKalb County Department of Planning and Development staff, and Commissioners Gannon and Rader concerning the Williamsburg Apartments, LeCraw Proposal, and Toco Hills Town Center boundaries. Copies of the Toco Hills Town Center map will be available at the meeting.

Toco Hills Town Center Planning Meeting
Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 6:00pm
Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur

No Comments » | Community Events, DeKalb County, Toco Hills | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

Standing Up for Merry Hills

August 19, 2008

For my constituents who live south of I-85 in the Toco Hills/North Druid Hills area, I am writing to notify you of a crucial rezoning meeting this Wednesday, August 20.

A developer is proposing to build a mammoth apartment complex along North Druid Hills Road between Merry Lane and the Alzheimer’s care facility. This proposal is the most egregious encroachment into a residential neighborhood I have seen during my time in public service. It reaches into the interior of the Merry Hills subdivision and includes two single-family lots on the cul-de-sac at the end of North Holly Lane.

If this developer (Ashkouti Development) is permitted to build in Merry Hills, it would set a terrible precedent for future high-density projects affecting the residential neighborhoods in the Toco Hills/North Druid Hills community.

Other neighborhoods have prevailed when developers overreach, but winning these battles requires citizens to attend the rezoning meetings. The first such meeting is Wednesday. Here are details about the meeting taken directly from an e-mail from the Merry Hills Homeowners Association:

This is a request for residents to come and speak about the Ashkouti proposal on North Druid Hills (NDH) at the upcoming Community Council meeting. The meeting represents the first stage of approvals the developers are requesting, which is a land use change from “Suburban” to “Town Center” land use designation which will then subsequently enable them to request the desired upzoning if approved this round.

The meeting is Wednesday August 20th, 6:30pm at the Mason Mill Recreation Center.

The Community Council has a very lengthy agenda this month that includes, among others, a parallel request for the much larger N. Williamsburg project proposed at Clairmont and NDH, a request for the redevelopment of the Executive Park, and a similar change at Emory for their new health sciences plan. You may need to wait up to an hour before the item is called, but your attendance and voices are critically important to inform decision-makers how you feel about this proposal.

The Community Council will listen and then make a recommendation to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners on this land use change application. You are invited to attend those meetings as well in September and we will remind you of those as they come up. I’m sure many people will want to speak, but typically the community has 10 minutes to speak. If you are certain you will attend and want to speak please contact zoning@merryhills.com.

We appreciate everyone coming out!

1 Comment | Community Events, DeKalb County, Toco Hills | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

August 5 Runoff Election

August 4, 2008

Tuesday, August 5, is Georgia’s primary runoff election. Your polling place will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This election includes only those party primaries for offices where no candidate received at least 50% of the vote in the July 15 primary election. Since there are no Republican primary races in DeKalb County where a candidate failed to receive 50% of the vote, only the Democrats will have a runoff. Here is the sample ballot (click for link) for the Democratic runoff election.

There are certain rules governing whether you can vote in this particular election, depending upon whether you selected a Republican or Democratic ballot in the July 15 primary election, or did not vote in that election. One of our District 80 neighbors, Jeff Turnage, sent the following helpful summary to his neighborhood e-mail distribution list:

I voted absentee in July. Can I vote in the run-off in person? YES!

I did early voting in July. Can I vote in person on Tuesday? YES!

I consider myself a Republican, but did not vote in July. Can I vote next Tuesday, even though only Democrats are running? YES!!

If I, as a Republican, vote in the Democratic run-off next week, will I still be able to vote a Republican ticket in November’s General (i.e., Presidential) Election? ABSOLUTELY YES!

I voted a Republican ticket in the July Primary. Can I vote in next week’s run-off? NO … I’M SORRY, BUT YOU CANNOT.

I voted a Democratic ticket in the July Primary. Can I vote in next week’s run-off? YES … OF COURSE YOU CAN.

Now for a final bit of my own pre-election editorializing:

The race for DeKalb County CEO will be decided in this runoff election. I highly recommend Burrell Ellis (click for information on Ellis) for this very important office which controls the day-to-day administration of our county. As reported on the popular political blog Peach Pundit, the campaign tactics (click separately on “campaign” and “tactics”) of Ellis’ opponent indicate that his opponent will continue the polarization that has been an unfortunate hallmark of Vernon Jones’ reign as CEO.

No Comments » | DeKalb County, Elections | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

July 15 Primary Election

July 14, 2008

Tuesday, July 15, is Georgia’s primary election. Your polling place will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Click on these links to view the Republican and Democrat sample ballots. Also, the League of Women Voters has posted a helpful voter guide (click for link) at AJC.com.

Now for some editorializing:

There is a referendum on the ballot to renew an existing $2,500 homestead exemption on your school property taxes. This proposition enjoys broad bipartisan support and deserves a “yes” vote.

In the Republican primary for DeKalb County Commission District 1, I encourage you to support Commissioner Elaine Boyer over her challenger, Terri Fischer. Fischer is the owner-operator of a local strip club. She was motivated to run for office out of her opposition to last year’s effort to roll back DeKalb’s alcohol pouring hours from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Commissioner Boyer and her assistant, Nancy McBride, have been very responsive to the constituent concerns I have brought to them. In my humble opinion, the race between Boyer and Fischer presents a clear choice. Crystal clear.

A number of constituents have asked me whom I support for DeKalb CEO. That election will be decided in the Democratic primary and a possible run-off election next month. While I don’t agree with him on some issues, I do think Burrell Ellis would make an outstanding CEO. He is a University of Pennsylvania Wharton School undergraduate and has a law degree from the University of Texas. He is a partner at a major Atlanta law firm. He stands head and shoulders above his competition. He listens to everyone. He won’t engage in the tired old politics of playing one end of the county against the other. It will take someone like Ellis to clean up the fine mess Vernon Jones has gotten us into.

1 Comment | DeKalb County, Elections | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

Meet Eli Ryan Jacobs

July 14, 2008

Evan and I welcomed Eli Ryan Jacobs into our family on July 6, 2008. He was a born at Northside Hospital and weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Mommy and baby are doing great. Daddy and big brother Jonah are very happy.

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Posted by Mike Jacobs

Taste of Brookhaven

June 13, 2008

The annual Taste of Brookhaven event is tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the Oglethorpe University campus. Organized by the Brookhaven Arts Alliance, this is a great event every year. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Please visit the event website for more information.

No Comments » | Brookhaven, Community Events | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs

Taste of Chamblee & Garden Tour

May 29, 2008

Special thanks to the Chamblee Area Business & Professional Coalition for passing this along:

Don’t miss the Taste of Chamblee & Garden Tour on Saturday, May 31!

The garden tour is from 9:00am-3:00pm in the Huntley Hills neighborhood. Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at the Ashe-Simpson Garden Center or on Saturday at 3747 Longview Drive.

The Taste of Chamblee street festival is in front of Chamblee City Hall at 5468 Peachtree Road. There will be a variety of restaurants offering sample sizes of their food, ranging from authentic Chinese to pizza, BBQ, hand-made chocolates, ice cream, smoothies & more! You can purchase 8 tickets for $10 which can be exchanged for one food sample each (additional tickets will be $1.50). In addition to the restaurants there will be a beer garden and several performers. Starting off the festival is a steel drum percussion quintet and ending it is a bluesy-rock group called Misconduct. In the midst of the festival, you’ll catch a mariachi band, samba dancers, a fencing demonstration and even a Chinese lion dance! Finally there is a silent auction raising money for Special Olympics Georgia. Here you can make a bid to win a spectacular bottle of Cristal Champagne, a handmade Persian rug, a set of antique skis, among many other items. The festival lasts from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Last bid for the silent auction is at 7:00pm.

Parking: There will be several lots available for parking near the festival. Heading towards City Hall from Chamblee-Tucker, parking will be at the new Chamblee public parking lot next door to the MARTA station. (It is a former MARTA lot). On Broad Street, there will be parking at the Chamblee Civic Center, Police Station, Post Office, and IDP’s parking lot.

No Comments » | City of Chamblee, Community Events | Permalink
Posted by Mike Jacobs