Politics & Government

Savi Expansion Project Approved

Ground breaking for the new construction expected to start in less than two months.

Although Savi Urban Market expansion plans fall short of the some of the requirements of the Brookhaven Overlay district, the Zoning Board of Appeals said Wednesday afternoon that the store's plan for expansion and improvements are in line with the spirit of the Brookhaven LCI.

Liz Beyer, the sole Zoning Board of Appeals member who voted against the plan, said that although the plans address aesthetic improvements to the existing structure, the board should not overlook the work that has been put into the overlay document.

"This is a functioning business," Beyer said. "it's not as if it's not possible to use it. The fact that it is able to be used in a functioning manner means that this is a special privilege."

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The remaining board disagreed. 

Rebecca Chase Williams, in her motion to approve the plan, referred to the construction as a "very exciting proposal." She said that consideration should be given to the fact that the building is an existing structure and the project is an  attempt to improve the building in a newly enforced overlay district.

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Savi co-owner and manager Paul Nair said, "Justice was served."

"The neighborhood clearly wants it and it's the right thing to do," Nair said.  "At the end of the day, we are part of the neighborhood. We want to fit in."

Jim Eyre, president of the Ashford Park Civic Association, said he was disappointed in the board's decision, but hopes that Savi will come closer to complying with the LCI as they continue construction plans.

"I'm torn. I'm excited to have someone like Savi in there, but I'm still wondering how the concept will work and still worried about long term if it doesn’t," he said.

The true loser, he said, is the overlay district.

One main concern is that this approval could set a precedence for other businesses along Dresden Drive, Eyre said.

He noted that there are several businesses looking at vacant properties in the area want parking in the front of the building. They can come back and point to this case to justify zoning requests, he said.

Despite zoning, more than 1,000 residents signed a petition to support Savi's more than $1 million expansion plan. 

Outside construction will include:

  •  A façade of storefronts to cover the parking area
  •  Street landscaping
  •  A second entrance off Caldwell Road.
  • Additional parking still to be determined.

Inside renovations will include:

  • An 8,000 square-foot second floor to include a chocolate fountain, cheeses, meat offerings and other home meal replacement items.
  • A completely remodeled first floor with vegetables, more groceries, pre-made sandwiches and an extensive offering of coffees.

"I think [the decision] was just and proper, said Jeff McConkey, a Brookhaven resident. "They're only trying to improve the area in the spirit of what the overlay brings to the Brookhaven/Dresden/Peachtree area. I was involved in the overlay development with the original people who were created it and you can't win on all points when it comes to redevelopment, but you can try to satisfy most of them and Savi did that," he said.

Co-owner Doug Dillard said construction could start in 45 days after they receive building permits.

"I'm very satisfied," Dillard said outside the meeting in Decatur. "We appreciate the Board of Appeals' concerns and the recognition that we're providing a significant improvement of what's there. It might not be what everybody wants with the overlay, but we have tried as best we could to comply with the spirit and intent of the overlay."

Dillard said once construction is expected to be completed within 120 days after the start of construction.

 

What are your thoughts on the Zoning Board of Appeal's Decision? Do you agree with the Zoning Board? Tell us in comments or join or start the conversation on Brookhaven Patch's Facebook page.


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