Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Update from Dunwoody Councilwoman Lynn Deutsch

Greetings!

I hope you will consider attending a Council Meeting.  They are normally held on the second and fourth Monday of the month beginning at 7 PM.  Our next meeting is May 14, 2012. City Hall is located at 41 Perimeter Center East.   We will also meet Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 7 PM.  (Because the Monday is Memorial Day.)   

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there and Best Wishes to all our new graduates.  I hope May is a great month for everyone. 

My email address is Lynn.Deutsch@dunwoodyga.gov.  Please don't hesitate to email or call (404-271-9962) me with any questions or concerns.     




Project Renaissance - A New Georgetown 
   
On March 8, 2012, the City announced Project Renaissance - A New Georgetown.   The initiative is an effort to spark a revitalization of the area by encouraging the right kind of development for two specific parcels, the 16 acres, often referred to as the PVC or Blue Pipe farm, and the 19 acre parcel on N. Shallowford road that was formally home to a hospital and office buildings.  The City is seeking a private-public partnership for the redevelopment of these 35 acres.  The 16 acre parcel is currently owned by the City and the 19 acre parcel is under contract by the City.

The first step in the process was for the City to issue an Invitation for Proposals (IFP) encourage interested developers to submit plans.     There were two proposals submitted.  John Wieland Homes was the developer selected to develop the two parcels. 
   
Many of you have asked what I think about  Project Renaissance.  I have consistently said that I am not convinced that a project focused mostly on residential development  can revitalize an area.  This project has some positives that I believe will benefit the community long term.  These include the walking/biking trails connecting Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd to Brook Run Park, the estimated 30,000 square feet of new commercial/retail space, new park space and a possible location for a City Hall or other civic services.    

My concerns are related to what is really the best use of the property,  future value of land, and the loss of a large piece of property zoned Office and Industrial (the 19 acre former hospital site).  I have argued that we could do nothing at this time with the 16 acre parcel.  If that was the decision, then the 19 acres would go back on the market.  Under the Project Renaissance plan we know what will become of that parcel, homes, parks and perhaps a site for a city hall or civic facilities.  There are good pros and cons on both sides of the debate.  

Please continue to send me your comments and questions

The City and John Wieland Homes are hosting  an open house regarding the proposed Project Renaissance redevelopment on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall (41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 100). Attendees will be treated to a brief overview presentation and then have an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods as well as City staff.  I hope you will join me at this meeting.

For lots more information:   Project Renaissance



Brook Run Playground Repairs on May 14 & 15
 
The City of Dunwoody will temporarily close the Children's Adventure Garden playground at Brook Run Park from Monday May 14 to Tuesday May 15, 2012 to perform minor safety and facility repairs to the playground's rubber play surface. The Children's Adventure Garden will reopen on Wednesday May 16th at 7:00 a.m. and resume its normal hours of operation, Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to sunset.

The repairs are concentrated in and around the bases of the new shade structures and will provide a safe seal between the support structures and the rubber play surface. The maintenance is performed at this time to ensure the playground facility is operational in anticipation of increased summer use and traffic which coincides with the end of school year for many area students.

I also believe that within the next few weeks, the water features at the playground will finally be repaired and operating.



Dunwoody Arts Festival 

Admission:  Free
When:  Saturday, May 12, 10AM to 7PM, Sunday, 12:30PM to 6PM.
Where:  Chamblee-Dunwoody Road between Mt. Vernon and Dunwoody Village Pkwy
Parking: Free Shuttles run regularly between Dunwoody Art Festival and 200 Ashford Pkwy, where parking is free.  Dunwoody Methodist Church is allowing parking for a $5 fee as a fundraiser for Community Action Center

You can find out much more here:    Dunwoody Arts Festival



FEMA Floodplain Map Update
The City of Dunwoody Community Development Department would like to invite you to a public meeting that will take place on Thursday, May 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Dunwoody Baptist Church, located at 1445 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA30338.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the State of Georgia's update to the City's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as part of FEMA's Flood Map Modernization Program.



Zoning Code

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Zoning Rewrite meeting last week. 
You can stay up to date on the process and progress by visiting this website:
   



Are you the parent of a teen driver?

Do you know that the Dunwoody Police Department offers a Collision Avoidance Class for teen drivers?   You can learn more about it here.   This class comes highly recommended by both former students and their parents.

Collision Avoidance Training 

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