Friday, June 28, 2019
GDOT replies to community questions for the GA 400 Toll Lane project & Dunwoody contemplates specialized legal council for NEPA. #gapol @GADeptofTrans
The GA 400 Toll Lane project is about a year ahead of the Top End 285 Toll project, and as such GDOT just replied to the questions asked at the first 400 project open house. The City of Dunwoody is watching very closely what happens with the 400 project and is collecting documents like these to assist us in formal review of the I-285 Toll Lane project in relation to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the impending Environmental Impact Statement.
I have already placed a request into the Mayor and City Manager that the City of Dunwoody 2020 budget should put aside specific funds to hire a specialized legal firm in order to review and assist us in the formal review of the I-285 Toll Lane project in relation to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the impending Environmental Impact Statement.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
DeKalb County School System is looking E-SPLOST (Education Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Advisory Committee Members - Interested?
The DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) invites all community members to take part in one of the
most important parts of education: tax dollar spending.
The public is invited to apply for membership on the E-SPLOST (Education Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Advisory Committee. Applications can be submitted online until Friday, July 12, 2019.
The E-SPLOST Advisory Committee provides citizen input, oversight, and review of a voter-approved project list paid for with E-SPLOST revenue. The committee consists of members of the public who share the common goal of maintaining transparency and communication from DCSD to the DeKalb County community.
Candidates must be residents that live in DCSD boundaries. Members may not be DeKalb County Board of Education members, DCSD employees, or have any economic interest in DCSD projects. Experience in accounting, architecture, auditing, construction, engineering, finance, K-12 education, law, planning, project management, and/or real estate is desired.
In addition, candidates must be able to provide two hours to attending monthly meetings. These meetings typically take place in the evening. If selected, members must also pass a background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Applying online for this great opportunity to work behind the scenes in one of Georgia’s largest school districts is easy! Just click here to submit your information.
For more information, visit the E-SPLOST Advisory Committee’s website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org/e-splost-advisory-committee.
The public is invited to apply for membership on the E-SPLOST (Education Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Advisory Committee. Applications can be submitted online until Friday, July 12, 2019.
The E-SPLOST Advisory Committee provides citizen input, oversight, and review of a voter-approved project list paid for with E-SPLOST revenue. The committee consists of members of the public who share the common goal of maintaining transparency and communication from DCSD to the DeKalb County community.
Candidates must be residents that live in DCSD boundaries. Members may not be DeKalb County Board of Education members, DCSD employees, or have any economic interest in DCSD projects. Experience in accounting, architecture, auditing, construction, engineering, finance, K-12 education, law, planning, project management, and/or real estate is desired.
In addition, candidates must be able to provide two hours to attending monthly meetings. These meetings typically take place in the evening. If selected, members must also pass a background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Applying online for this great opportunity to work behind the scenes in one of Georgia’s largest school districts is easy! Just click here to submit your information.
For more information, visit the E-SPLOST Advisory Committee’s website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org/e-splost-advisory-committee.
Public Workshop: Dunwoody Village Master Plan Update - Saturday June 29, 1 to 4 p.m.
Vintage Pizzeria - Dunwoody
5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, Georgia
5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, Georgia
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The City of Dunwoody will hold a public workshop on the Dunwoody Village Master Plan to seek input on master plan updates and zoning requirements for the area. The workshop will be held on Saturday, June 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Vintage Pizza, 5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
The public is invited to attend to hear about options for zoning for the Dunwoody Village and give their input. The workshop will be led by TSW, the Atlanta-based planning firm hired by the city to review and rewrite the regulations.
“When we met with residents last year, we wanted them to help us shape the vision for the Dunwoody Village,” said City of Dunwoody Community Development Director Richard McLeod. “Now we’re ready to get into the specifics of what our zoning should require.”
The public workshop will start with a presentation by TSW, followed by a walking tour of part of the Dunwoody Village and creative exercises to help set priorities. Each part of the meeting will take about an hour.
Here are some zoning elements that will be discussed:
- Connectivity
- Height restrictions for buildings
- New roadways to make the Village more walkable
- New sidewalks
- Park and/or greenspace
- Land uses
In December 2018, the Dunwoody City Council approved several zoning amendments to the Village Overlay, including removing the Williamsburg style of architecture as a requirement. Drive-thrus for new buildings were also prohibited.
Weather looks good for Dunwoody Food Truck Thursday - come on out to Brook Run Park 5 p.m. to dark.
The chance of rain is low for Thursday evening so come on out to find something interesting for dinner from the list below, let the kids play in the field or playground as you listen to the live music of Todd Wells, while having a beer from Moondog Growlers.
The Deep South Biscuit Co. Food Truck
Kajun Asian Food Truck
Grubbin' Out
Lisa's Crêperie
Spice the Americas
Sunshine Alchemy
Tex's Taco
FruitSmashers Food Truck
King of Pops
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Recent Burglaries in Dunwoody are under investigation.
This week two Dunwoody North homes were burglarized when the offenders kicked in the door leading into the home from the carport. These brazen day time attacks happened soon after the resident departed the home, which may mean that the perpetrators were watching the vehicles at home to make sure no one was there during the robbery. In today's robbery, the resident returned home within 20 minutes and very easily could have easily walked into crime happening, luckily for all involved, that did not happen.
The Dunwoody Police are well aware of the facts of the case, setting up addional patrols and have posted crime reduction suggestions on Facebook. They will also be attending a special called meeting of the Dunwoody North Civic Association, Neighborhood Watch to answer questions and share information with the community. My neighborhood is rather tight-knit, and we are working closely with the police department to help solve these crimes.
The Dunwoody Police has not released any other information publicly on the case and neither will I.
I do know that a great deal of information has been shared on private facebook groups. As my information is pushed far beyond closed neighborhood groups, I will defer to the Dunwoody Police Department on what they want to share.
What I can tell you is that internet camera sales will be rocketing in my little community! There are two versions, the hard wired high definition cameras out side that are meant to see and be seen; then there are the small wi-fi recorded devices. Both have pros and cons. I personally use and recommend the low-cost WYZE cameras in my garage and reviewing all external doors but I believe I will be looking into hard wiring a set of external cameras in the near future as the quality is exceptional.
Some of the names of the wi-fi cameras mentioned by neighbors or devices I know in use locally are...
https://www.wyze.com
http://yitechnology.com
https://www.arlo.com/en-us/default.aspx
https://shop.ring.com/products/door-view-cam
Nest Cams
What security items do you use?
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Dunwoody Kid's Bike Rodeo, Pernoshal Park - Saturday June 22nd, 9 a.m. to Noon
Bike Walk Dunwoody with support of the Dunwoody Police Department is proud to present a Children’s Bike Rodeo at Pernoshal Park the morning of Saturday June 22nd.
This event is free and open to the public. Bring the kids for some great fun and learn about safe riding! Kids need to bring their own bikes and helmets. Participants will receive a formal Certificate of Completion signed by city officials. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
The rodeo will consist of several stations:
-Helmet fitting
-Bike inspection
-Obstacles, (safe riding lessons)
-Bike Security
-”Graduation” Bike Ride on the Dunwoody Trailway with Police and Much More!
When: Sat June 22, 9 am-12 pm.
Drop by anytime between 9 am & noon. The course takes about an hour
Where: Pernoshal Park (Parking Lot)
4575 North Shallowford Road
If you’re driving, park your vehicle at the Emory Clinic on Pernoshal Ct – or ride your bikes!
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Special Called Dunwoody City Council Meeting to discuss steady 2.74 Millage Rate and DeKalb Transit Plan - Tuesday 8:00 a.m.
DUNWOODY SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
June 18, 2019 8:00 AM – DUNWOODY CITY HALL,
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD,
DUNWOODY, GEORGIA 30338
Watch Live Agenda
FIRST READ: Ordinance to Establish the 2019 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
Tax Rate to stay the same - due to slight increase in some development an additional 52K will be collected citywide
DeKalb County Proposed Resolution for DeKalb County Transit Master Plan
DeKalb County is planning a sales tax increase upto 1% for mass transit.
June 18, 2019 8:00 AM – DUNWOODY CITY HALL,
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD,
DUNWOODY, GEORGIA 30338
Watch Live Agenda
FIRST READ: Ordinance to Establish the 2019 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
Tax Rate to stay the same - due to slight increase in some development an additional 52K will be collected citywide
DeKalb County Proposed Resolution for DeKalb County Transit Master Plan
DeKalb County is planning a sales tax increase upto 1% for mass transit.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Savor the Flavor that all Dunwoody Restaurant Week has to offer!
This June, dig into Dunwoody Restaurant Week, an annual celebration of all things delicious! Dunwoody Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to savor something new or revisit an oldie, but goodie. Participating restaurants will showcase their best dishes and desserts at set prices, allowing you to sample food and drink from some of the best restaurants in Atlanta. (Winning!) So from June 8-15, we invite you to bring a buddy (and your appetite), eat & repeat... all week long during Dunwoody Restaurant Week. See below for this year's menus!
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks - $15 lunch | $20 dinner
Carbonara Trattoria - $40 dinner
Chuy’s - $25 dinner
Cinco Mexican Cantina - $15 lunch | $30 dinner
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse - $25 lunch | $45 dinner
E. 48th Street Market - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Eclipse di Luna - $15 lunch | $20 dinner
El Azteca - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Empire State Pizza & Growlers - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Farm Burger - $13 lunch | $13 dinner
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - $30 dinner
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse - $45 dinner
Grecian Gyro - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern - $15 lunch | $30 dinner
Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
McKendrick’s Steak House - $25 lunch
Mellow Mushroom - $25 lunch | $30 dinner
Nancy’s Pizza - $10 and/or $20 lunch | $30 dinner
Novo Cucina - $15 lunch | $30 dinner
Parkwoods - $45 dinner
Portico Global Cuisine - $25 lunch | $45 dinner
Press Blend Squeeze - $10 lunch
Seasons 52 - $25 lunch | $30 dinner
The Capital Grille - dinner
The Viceroy Royal Indian - $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Vino Venue - $30 dinner
Vitality Bowls Superfood Cafe - 15% off breakfast & $10 lunch | $20 dinner
Your Pie - $15 lunch | $20 dinner
Decisions are hard, suggestions are helpful! Check out our Foodie's Guide to Dunwoody Restaurant Week as you plan your weeklong culinary tour through Dunwoody.
ADD SOME CULTURE TO YOUR CUISINE
The Dunwoody Nature Center, Spruill Gallery, Painting With A Twist, and Stage Door Players are partnering with Dunwoody Restaurant Week to sweeten the deal! See below for some great opportunities to explore Dunwoody's arts and culture scene while dining around town!
- The Dunwoody Nature Center is offering complimentary entry to their summer concert featuring Acoustical Left occurring on Saturday, June 15, 2019 with proof of receipt from a participating restaurant.
- Spruill Gallery is offering 10% off items in the gallery gift shop with proof of receipt from a participating restaurant. Offer is valid from Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, June 15, 2019.
- Painting With A Twist is offering 10% off painting classes with online code '10OFF'.
- Stage Door Partners - offering buy one get one tickets to “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” from Thursday, July 11, through Sunday, August 4, by calling the box office at 770.396.1726 and mentioning the code ‘RWBOGO’.
SHARING IS CARING
Everyone loves a good food pic! Share yours with us on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to use #DunwoodyRestaurantWeek and #DineInDunwoody!
Congresswoman Lucy McBath is holding a town hall listening session at Dunwoody High School on Saturday June 8th 1:30 p.m.
Pre-Registration looks to be needed, click the Facebook event link below for more details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2721970424541241/
You're invited to join Representative Lucy McBath for a town hall at Dunwoody High School on Saturday, June 8th from 1:30pm-2:30pm. The Congresswoman will provide an update on her recent actions in Congress to protect health care, support veterans, and prevent gun violence. This town hall is an opportunity for residents of Georgia's Sixth District to discuss their priorities and the issues that matter to them.
Dunwoody City Council Meeting for Monday June 10, 2019
Monday, June 10, 2019
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Agenda
Update on the DeKalb Transit Master Plan (Grady Smith, Project Manager, VHB)
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Alcohol License Review Board
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Board of Ethics
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Planning Commission
Resolution Appointing Member to Serve on the Sustainability Committee
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Urban Redevelopment Agency
Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Volunteer Coordinating Committee
Funding Authorization for Construction of Turn Lane Improvements on Meadow Lane Road at Ridgeview Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road
SECOND READ: Amendment to Chapter 24 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) to Add Article VIII, Unlawful Discrimination, and Article IX, Hate Crime Training and Documentation
SECOND READ: MA 19-01: Laurel David, Attorney on Behalf of Branch Ashwood Associates, L.P., Owner of 1250 Meadow Lane Road, and 500, 600, and 700 Ashwood Parkway, Seeks a Major Modification to Conditions of Zoning. The Tax Parcel Numbers for the Site are 18-350-02-001, 18-350-02-003, 18-349-01-037, and 18-349-01-046
Resolution Authorizing the Use of Eminent Domain to Obtain Certain Property Interests Located at 4988 Tilly Mill Road for the Public Use and Public Benefit of Constructing a Public Sidewalk
Approval of Purchase of Laptops and 9-1-1 Server (Chief Grogan)
Dunwoody High Basketball Camp for boys ages 6 to 13 starting Monday - spaces are still available.
The Dunwoody Tip Off Club would love to see your young son at camp this summer!
Come train with Dunwoody High School Boys Varsity Basketball players and coaches.
Boys ages 6-13 come train with the Dunwoody High Varsity Basketball players and New Varsity coaches. The camp will focus on foot work development, shooting techniques, competitive drills, stations, and scrimmages. Campers will need to bring their own lunch and water bottle. A concession stand will be open for campers to purchase snacks and pizza for lunch ($2 a slice). Campers will be divided up by age and ability.
Dates: June 10-13, 2019
Time/Location: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Dunwoody High School Gym
5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Ages: 6-13 years old
Cost: $200 per camper
Spaces are still available so register today.
Registration form at: https://dunwoodybasketball.com/2019-wildcats-summer-camp/
Email above form to: Dunwoodytipoff@gmail.com
Payments via PayPal: Dunwoodytipoff@gmail.com
Payments via Venmo: Dunwoodytipoff
Checks or Money Orders mail to: Randi Siegel 1674 Manhasset Drive, Dunwoody, GA 30338 or drop off at the front office at DHS c/o Coach Braaten. Makes Checks out to Dunwoody Tip Off Club
Thursday, June 6, 2019
2019 Real Estate Valuations Issued for Dunwoody
City’s millage rate of 2.74 will be considered during three public hearings.
The city received notice of its seventh year-over-year increase in the real and personal tax digest for 2019 as a result of the revaluation of real property tax assessments performed by the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s office. Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county.
When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the board of tax assessors is required by law to re‐determine the value of such property and adjust the assessment. This is called a reassessment. When a reassessment results in an increase in property values, Georgia law requires the City to advertise a property tax increase even if the millage rate remains the same.
Dunwoody homeowners who filed and qualified for a homestead exemption will pay no more in city taxes than the amount paid in 2009 based on the residential property assessment freeze exemption effective since the city’s inception. This exemption is in addition to the one (1) mill exemption also in place granting homeowners in Dunwoody an effective millage rate of just 1.74 mills. Homeowners in Dunwoody average a 49% exemption in assessed values.
At the anticipated millage rate of 2.74 mills since incorporation, one of the lowest millage rates of any similarly-sized city within the immediate Atlanta metro area, Dunwoody property owners may see an increase or a decrease in their real estate taxes in 2019, depending on whether individual property gained or lost value this year. The City of Dunwoody does not have direct control or influence over the valuations of the tax assessor’s office.
In accordance with state law requirements, the City of Dunwoody will hold three public hearings to receive comment from taxpayers on this subject. The public is invited to attend information meetings at Dunwoody City Hall located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, Ga. 30338 on the following days:
June 18, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
July 8, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
The City Council will have a third and final public hearing followed by a vote on a tax rate for the current fiscal year at the City Council meeting on July 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
P.S. - I have posted a number of articles in the past on how to appeal your property value assessement in order to lower you taxes based on the possibly inflated value of your real estate. Here is the link to several past articles.
Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day, June 14 - Dunwoody Nature Center
Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day, June 14 - Dunwoody Nature Center
The Dunwoody Nature Center will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony at twilight on Flag Day, Friday, June 14. The ceremony will be held in the lower meadow area of the Nature Center at 7:45 PM and should last no longer than an hour.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to take part in this moving ceremony that will honor the flag, our Country and all our veterans who contributed their service to maintain our freedom. Those who attend will leave with a great sense of pride and hopefully learn something new about the flag and what it represents. As this is the 75th anniversary year of D-Day, the Dunwoody Nature Center will honor WWII veterans during the service as well.
The ceremony will be performed in conjunction with local Scout Troops who will serve as Honor Guards during the ceremony.
The public is welcome to bring old and worn flags to the ceremony and the Dunwoody Nature Center will make sure they are respectfully retired. Most Scout Troops also collect flags for retirement at any time throughout the year. The meadow will have limited seating, so those not able to stand during the service are encouraged to bring portable chairs.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Petition to stop proposed toll lanes on 285 through Dunwoody is just a start as the City may need specialized environmental legal assistance.
The toll lanes are proposed by GDOT to directly impact our community, and to date, we know few specifics as the formal informational meetings haven't yet begun. That being said, people are rightly worried, and a petition has been directed at the "decision makers" of GDOT and six local city councils, including the Dunwoody City Council. In this case, the Dunwoody City Council does not get a vote for thumbs up or thumbs down but there may be ways during the public meetings for us as a community to influence the direction of the project to mitigate impacts on our citizens and I know the City Council will be fighting towards that end.
A couple of days ago, after seeing the petition cross my desk several times, I decided to add my name. The author, Mr. Travis Reid immediately reached out to see if I had indeed signed the petition or did someone just spam my name. Below was my reply...
"Yes Travis; I did sign your petition as I have taken public transportation almost every working day of my life since high school and I truly believe in it over just expanding the interstate. The plan being presented is additional lanes, and then there is a small chance of mass transit if the cities want to fund it. I believe this process is backward whereby mass transit should be the first discussion followed by other options like additional lanes after that.
That being said, I don't think a petition alone will stop the I-285 Top End project, it is not formal communication to the decision makers, therefore I believe more effort needs to take place at formal meetings once they occur.
As a local elected official, I currently have the same amount of information as the general public, whereby there may have been meetings with Mayors, but the information doesn't always flow downward. I am looking forward to learning more.
As a Dunwoody City Councilman, I will fight to work with the project stakeholders to look for options to mitigate the effects on my community and I plan on being heavily involved where allowed to do so. We also need to carefully analyze the environmental impact statement as I believe this is the main way to effect the plans if not stop it completely."
What I didn't say in my reply is that I believe the City of Dunwoody needs to hire our own independent environmental impact attorney working on our behalf to guide us through the NEPA process and that on Monday I will be requesting the City Manager and Mayor to add targeted funds in the 2020 budget for this possible future expense.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Caffeine & Octane Car Show - Sunday June 2nd, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Dunwoody's Perimeter Mall
Sunday June 2nd from 8 to 11 am
Perimeter Mall Parking Lot
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Caffeine and Octane is a nationally recognized all makes, all models car show that regularly attracts over 2000 vehicles and 15,000 fans. The event is held (rain or shine) the first Sunday morning of each month from 8AM - 11AM at Perimeter Mall, located on the Northside of Atlanta in Dunwoody GA. The Caffeine and Octane faithful get up very early to watch the parade of cars that begin arriving well before sunrise.
Caffeine and Octane is an all makes and models show. We feature cars that defy known automotive niches. If it has wheels and a motor, you'll find it at Caffeine and Octane! One thing we guarantee is you'll always see something new at every show.
The Caffeine and Octane TV Show is filmed live at the Caffeine and Octane Car Shows. Season Two of our top-rated Caffeine & Octane TV Show premiered on the NBC Sports Network in October of 2017. Season Three just aired in the summer of 2018. Our show contains no fake drama or deadlines. It is a show that celebrates real automotive enthusiasts and their passion for cars.
Episodes are re-aired frequently. Check your local cable listings for air-times in your time zone. It is also available on demand on the NBC Sports Network and through a Sling subscription if you are not a cable subscriber. NBC Universal International will begin distributing the Caffeine & Octane TV Show worldwide near the end of 2018.
The C&O Car Show is now in its eleventh year. The show attracts car enthusiasts and vehicles from all over the USA. The C&O Car Show is a family-friendly event and free to attend from 8:00am – 11:00am on the first Sunday of every month, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30346