The closest DeKalb County Warming Center to Dunwoody is now open at the North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 3034 located very near the Chamblee Marta Station entrance on Peachtree Road.
https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/weather
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
DeKalb Warming Center closest to Dunwoody is now open & available at the North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 3034
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
@AJC identifies four Dunwoody apartment complexes among the 272 most Dangerous Dwellings in the metro area. @bridgeinvgrp @TheSterlingGrp @TrinityPmTweets @RelatedCos @GAA_Tweets
The Atlanta Journal Constitution has had a year long investigative report on Dangerous Apartment Complexes in the Atlanta metropolitan area and this week they released their list of the 272 most dangerous apartment complexes. Unfortunately the City of Dunwoody had four complexes listed in the report and they were listed because of crime risk, murders, code enforcement compliance issues, fire risks, and because a gas explosion leveled a building.
The series is well written as it shows the pitfalls of being a renter in a State where leases favor the owner and the lessee has little legal ramifications without bringing suit. It describes the lack of code enforcement in some jurisdictions and no minimum State standards requiring owners to maintain their rental properties, much less to keep them decent, safe or habitable. The series highlights complexes that are Unsafe, Unhealthy, and Unlivable because of lack of regular maintenance and crime that happens in these areas.
I will admit that Dunwoody has a few complexes with questionable reputations but crime has taken place in every complex in town but the Dunwoody Police Department is aware of criminal hot spots and is monitoring issues with both patrols, cameras and other technology. The residents living in these complexes are hard working families with children living in the most affordable lodging they can find, in a school system that will offer their children a better opportunity then their parents had. Much of the crime (and murders) happen because of outsiders traveling into the complex that are up to no good. Dunwoody Police's manpower issues are improving and City Council continues to invest in our Department which hopefully is providing proper coverage ensuring everyone a safe place to live.
Dunwoody seems to be doing better that some other jurisdictions on code compliance oversight as in 2010, just two years into incorporation we set minimum standards, visited every apartment complex to educate management as to expectations and law; then we started to code compliance sweeps bringing them into compliance. This year, we just increased the staffing level from two code enforcement officers to three in order to escalate the frequencies of these apartment inspections.
The Dunwoody City Council believes that every resident living within our borders should have a safe and livable home therefore our Multi-Family Code Compliance program does a regular comprehensive inspections (both exterior by City
Staff & interior by certified inspectors) to evaluate code and life
safety compliance.
City Council reviews the findings of Apartment Sweep's as completed by our code enforcement staff and I won't attach it in this blog post in case there is on going enforcement matter related to the report, but one of the complexes above had two code enforcement specialists there for close to a week and the final report is 90 pages long, 11 Mb in size with numerous code compliance issues documented with photos. The violations identified were cited and required to be repaired with our code enforcement following up with citations to be handled by Dunwoody Municipal Judges if issues were not corrected in a timely manner. We do this to every apartment complex in the city limits, no matter the age, demographics or price point.
About a month ago, the City Council was provided a briefing by Code Compliance which highlights our apartment sweep program, vacant property maintenance, and short-term rental enforcement.
Code Enforcement Introduction and Overview (Shane Peeples)
I questioned whether I wanted to post this story, whether I wanted to name the complexes named (as there are others I am also concerned about) but in the end it is about transparency and self corrective behavior. I want better oversight from the owners (that is why I tagged them in the title for Twitter to notify them of this post). I want self reflection from the City of Dunwoody Administration both Police, Code Enforcement and City Council to ask what more could we be doing. Finally I would like the State Legislature to review the laws that sometimes allow anonymous LLC's to take advantage of the most vulnerable segment of our society.
I am hopeful that the issues identified at troublesome apartment complexes are addressed & the quality of life improves as no one deserves to live in an Unsafe, Unhealthy, and Unlivable apartment complex.
John
PS: I am still not endorsed by the Atlanta Board of Realtors or any other trade organization.
Dunwoody Glen
6800, 6750 and 6806 Peachtree Industrial, Dunwoody
Dunwoody Village
2311, 2313 and 2325 Dunwoody Crossing, Dunwoody
LaCota Apartments
6664 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. and other addresses from 6646-6698, Dunwoody
The Heights at Dunwoody, formerly Arrive Perimeter
2000 Asbury Square, Dunwoody
AJC’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein is joined by the reporters Alan Judd and Willoughby Mariano, who led the Dangerous Dwellings investigation. They discussed how this project got started, what thye found, and potential laws that could improve the situation.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Dunwoody City Council votes to give girls softball program life during previous Dunwoody Senior Baseball time slots - Dunwoody Reporter Newspaper
A couple of weeks ago the Dunwoody City Council did an annual approval of our Facility Usage Agreements with the Athletic Association Partners which raised the usage prices for upkeep of the artificial turf fields. As the City Council and Staff have been looking to find a place, or space for the new Peachtree Girls Softball Team to play; the best decision that floated to the top at least temporarily was to allow the girls to practice and play games on the west baseball field at Brook Run for several months in the fall, for several hours for four days per week.
On Monday after staff discussions with DSB and the softball program, we the City Council approved the Facility Usage Agreement with Dunwoody Senior Baseball which not only raised the hourly rate but also reduced the playing field availability for Fall baseball to allow some time for softball. Dunwoody Senior Baseball will be negatively impacted as it reduces field
time for that organization by four game slots per week. More weekend games may need to be scheduled or a few lesser teams may be able to be registered in the Fall, but there is time to review those logistics.
Another sticking point among field use is field conversion back and forth as the boys use a pitching mound and the girls do not, the base lengths are shorter in softball as well as other minor field differences. Questions were raised as to the speed of the conversion from a girls field to the boys field in order for the boys to play soon after the softball use was completed. City staff said that there are numerous logistics to be worked out but they will work towards a smooth transition with both organizations. Council was also told that the softball use schedule was yet to be determined whereby the days and hours may be scaled back to allow more time for DSB.
I believe the girls softball team does need some equity and the Dunwoody Senior Baseball program has expanded their use over years as there are no field resting periods to let the grass grow, almost no rain outs or make up games as compared to the natural turf fields back on the old location where Austin Elementary sits, therefore I voted to approve the field agreement as DSB has yet to plan or schedule Fall use and/or the changes can hopefully be worked in.
Another point I raised during discussion was the historical perspective from the start of cityhood whereby there were established sports programs in various neighboring municipalities and existing non-profits that we the City of Dunwoody didn't need to duplicate their efforts. Murphey Candler (in Brookhaven) has numerous fields where it offers both youth baseball & softball for many Dunwoody kids (as well as Atlanta Colts Football & Cheerleading) and in order to reciprocate, the City of Dunwoody continues to offer Dunwoody Senior Baseball to all participants who age out of the Murphy Candler Program. We do not differentiate where a participant lives in order to participate, nor do we charge more if they live outside Dunwoody and there was the gentleman's agreement made many years ago between ourselves and the various municipalities. To me making sure Dunwoody Senior is viable is also making sure that Dunwoody children can play at Murphey Candler, the Atlanta Colts, Chamblee T-ball, the Atlanta Flames and many others.
Compared to our neighbors, the City of Dunwoody has not only kept Dunwoody Senior Baseball viable but we expanded our soccer offerings in the back of Brook Run and then with the possibility of turfing the football field at PCMS where we have a 20 year lease from DeKalb School System and have already installed lights; there is already an easy path to increased sports opportunities for both genders. Once that field is built out (it is at the top of the Citizen's Capital Review Board List) our children's middle school (and high school) sports of football, flag football, ultimate frisbee and lacrosse programs; can easily be expanded.
I just get a little worried of a forced contraction (or reshuffling of game times) for one season of Dunwoody Senior Baseball, a Dunwoody sports institution that has been in place for 50 years; as I see it as a slippery slope. At the same time I am excited for the possible growth of a girls softball program here is Dunwoody for those girls who graduate from the Murphy Candler program.
Hopefully both programs can thrive. John
Dunwoody City Council to allow girls softball programs at Senior Baseball Fields
"The Dunwoody City Council at its Dec. 12 meeting approved a facility use agreement that will allow for girl’s softball programs to practice and play at the city’s Dunwoody Senior Baseball (DSB) fields next fall – a move that DSB officials say will force the organization to cut the number of baseball players significantly.
The facilities’ agreement also increases by $10 an hour the standard hourly rate for any fundraising tournaments hosted by DSB.
A memo regarding the changes also says the “west field will be excluded from their (DSB) use during August 1-October 31 from 4 p.m. -7 p.m Monday-Thursday, unless otherwise approved by the city. This will allow the Dunwoody High School Softball Booster Club to utilize the field during that time frame.”
Friday, December 9, 2022
Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday December 12, 2022
DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
December 12, 2022 - 6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338
Agenda 6 pm - City Site Agenda
City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.
They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89515181655 or phone +14702509358,,89515181655#
You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.
Administration of Oath of Office to Officer Jared Bradley
Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed.
Annual Report from the Non-Profit Program Partners
Resolution Appointing Member to Serve on Discover Dunwoody Board
Funding Authorization for 4517 Dunwoody Club Drive Storm Repairs, 5583 Glenrich Drive Storm Repairs, 4954 Vernon Oaks Drive Storm Repairs
Review and Consideration of Discover Dunwoody Budget (Ray Ezelle)
Approval of a Facility Usage Agreement with Dunwoody Senior Baseball
Contract with Ogletree Enterprises for Landscaping at Spalding Drive and Chamblee Dunwoody Road
American Rescue Plan - Not for Profit Funding
Discussion of Mutual Aid Police Agreement between Georgia State University and City of Dunwoody
Public Art Project - Womack Road Retaining Wall
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Dunwoody Trail Master Plan Open House - Wednesday December 7th - 6:00 pm City Hall to discuss desired trail routes, destinations & trail types.
Brook Run Park (shown above) is an appropriate place for a 12-foot trail and it is what I believe people think of when our surveys say residents want more trails. Wednesday night at City Hall there is a meeting to discuss trail / path options, routes, and trail types in our community. Unfortunately the meeting agenda does not discuss funding priorities (that comes later), nor are there discussion topics regarding the trail impacts to the neighbors or possible tree/shade coverage when the current proposed 12-foot concrete paths are shoe horned into the existing right of way in front of single family homes. However, based on some of the feedback posted on social media regarding this meeting, I believe several of these topics will be raised by citizens.
To me many of the negative consequences I see could be alleviated by a simple reduction in path size in our single family zoning areas to include dedicated plantings of trees & bushes to foster both the beauty of our community and improve transportation options. Think Peeler Rd Path along the Waterworks. We could keep 12 feet where appropriate in the Perimeter area, do 8 feet along major thoroughfares and 6 feet within the neighborhoods. A plan on proper sidewalk / path / trail build-out focusing on reasonable safety improvements might garner wide support?
Once the community (or elected officials) comes to a consensus on paths, there will be funding discussions to set priorities and lately I have been arguing to my fellow Council Members that these 12-foot paths may not be at the top of the list for the entire community. We have many needs in this community, I know that pedestrian improvements are needed near schools where hundreds of children walk, we have intersections that need to be improved, we initiated a Citizen Capital Committee that listed numerous community wants and desires that are not these paths and in the coming months we as a community will need to have a serious conversation over finances, desired community amenities/improvements and the ongoing maintenance/operational costs of running a city. As I said previously when talking about the City Budget, the baby is ugly and I have concerns.
I don't want to get too negative on trails & paths as I do see benefits too but the devil is always in the details, therefore I encourage the entire community to attend the Wednesday evening meeting in order to listen to what is presented, give feedback as to your desires & concerns.
I am sorry to report that I will not be in attendance Wednesday but I will obtain information as to the meeting outcomes, listen to social media, talk to neighbors who attended, read newpaper articles and listen to anyone who wants to give me (or Council) their opinion by sending an email to Council.Members@dunwoodyga.gov Thanks, John.
The City of Dunwoody is partnering with the PATH Foundation Team to develop a city-wide trail master plan. This project will verify trail
opportunities and feasibility, develop branding and design standards,
and outline strategies for implementation.
Help kick off the Dunwoody Trail Master Plan by attending the first Open House on Wednesday, December 7 at Dunwoody City Hall. Stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. to learn more about upcoming events and project timeline, and share your thoughts in this initial phase.
Consultants from the PATH Foundation will be asking participants to share ideas about the following:
- Potential destinations
- Desired trail routes
- Preferred trail types
There will be at least one additional public meeting later in the process.
Learn more: www.dunwoodyga.gov/trailmasterplan
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