Chase Bank has requested three variances from DeKalb County to build a new branch on the site of the former Hastings garden and nature store. Hastings closed its doors to relocate its business to Peachtree Corners in August 2011 following its announcement that it developed a new and unique retail concept that required new additional space. Since then, many businesses have scouted the site - among those were Chase Bank. Brookhaven community leaders and LCI proponents are concerned that the recessed building Chase is requesting along with some other requests goes against the LCI in maintaining…
The Associated Press reported that Spirit Airlines, who currently charge $45 for a carry-on bag will up the rate to $100 for customers who wait to pay the fee at the boarding gate. According to the report, any bag that fits in the overhead bin is considered a carry-on, a small bag that can fit under the seat is free. Would you pay $100 for a carry-on bag? Tell us in comments?
When CinéBistro opened in Town Brookhaven last September, the restaurant/movie theater served only patrons over 21 years old. Starting this Friday, May 4, however, the theater will welcome patrons under the age of 21 to enjoy movies before 6 p.m. CinéBistro Executive Director Fred Meyers said because the theater received positive feedback from patrons under 21 for limited showings, the in-theater dining experience will be available to a younger audience. “CinéBistro will maintain our 21 and older policy for shows after 6 p.m., continuing to offer our refined cinema experience to adult …
DeKalb County Commissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon will host a community meeting Monday night to address concerns over a proposed land use change at DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) at 6:30 p.m. at the Chamblee Branch Library at 4115 Clairmont Road. The Board of Commissioners are reviewing a proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment in the area between Clairmont Road and county-owned PDK. According to Rader, the proposal under consideration would be to re-plan the area for restricted light industrial noise-tolerant land use activities compatible with conditions surrounding PDK airport. At …
Buford Highway has been dubbed one of Georgia's most dangerous thoroughfares, according to a PBS special on dangerous crossings. With few sidewalks and street lights helping pedestrians navigate the busy stretch of road, Buford Highway has been the culprit in many fatalities over the years. Home to much of Brookhaven's commercial district and apartment living, the area is in need of additional crosswalks for pedestrians, according to PEDS, a non-profit organization that advocates for a more pedestrian friendly Atlanta. With cityhood on the table, could Buford Highway - at least the stretch of…
The DeKalb County Schools board of education is asking for parental feedback as it mulls a decision to modify the school calendar. Three proposed options for the 2012-2013 school calendar are on the table, and the board is asking parents to give feedback on each. The board wants to start school earlier in August and dismiss students an hour early on Wednesdays. Start time in August ranges from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13 in the three options, which could impact summer vacation plans already in place. In 2010, school started Aug. 9. Each of the options would dismiss students from school one-hour early …
“The legislative process has run its course. It has been a tough road, but I am glad that the citizens will have the right to choose their form of local government. That is what HB 636 is all about." - Rep. Mike Jacobs, following the passage of House Bill 636. Last week, House Bill 636, the measure to create a charter for a new city of Brookhaven passed the General Assembly on Day 40 of the state legislature and now is awaiting Gov. Nathan Deal's signature. There has been no official word from Deal's office on whether he will sign the bill or when. In the interim, chime in. Do you think …
DeKalb County officials paint a dismal financial picture in the event Brookhaven becomes a city. In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Richard Stogner, the county chief operating officer, said the county's only options to recoup the estimated $27 million it predicts it would lose in tax revenue from Brookhaven residents are to "raise revenues, reduce expenses or draw down on reserves" - noting that the county was far from ready for the impact of a new city. State Rep. Mike Jacobs and other proponents of cityhood have pointed out in hearings however that while DeKalb County will see a loss in …
National Restaurant Association's chief economist Bruce Grindy analyzed the impact of rising gas prices in his latest blog post Tuesday. He categorized rising gas prices as one of the biggest threats to the economy and predicted its adverse affect on the restaurant business since fuel takes up a high level of disposable income - particularly those customers who earn lower salaries. Conversely, New York Times columnist Adam Davidson had another view. His reasearch led him to conclude that while "Americans may protest loudly" over the cost of fuel, they rarely adjust their lifestyles. With mid-…
State Rep. Scott Holcomb submitted to a drug test last week after his introduction of HB 677 - a bill that would require drug tests for legislators. Holcomb submitted the bill in response to a Republican filed bill that mandates drug testing for parents who apply for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). “If the state of Georgia is going to make drug testing a precondition for receiving benefits, then legislators need to be the first in line. We receive taxpayer benefits and we should lead by example," Holcomb said in a press release. “I don’t understand why the Georgia General …
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced_Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate declined for the seventh consecutive month to 9.1 percent - the lowest those numbers had been since March 2009. In a prepared statement, Butler said the state created 15,600 jobs, many of those filled by unemployed residents of the state. The Department of Labor reports that the number of jobs in February increased to 3,880,400, with 70 percent of the February growth coming in the private sector. Also, newly revised numbers show the state gained 41,800 jobs in the past 12 months. Although Georgia's …
The Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee passed HB 636 in a 4-3 vote split down party lines Tuesday, but not without adding a few changes of their own. First, the name in the bill was changed from Ashford back to Brookhaven. Second, the committee added an amendment to prohibit any member of the General Assembly from serving as city attorney for four years following the proposed city's creation. State Rep. Mike Jacobs, an attorney and the bill's sponsor, told Patch Tuesday following the vote that he was content with the changes and would support the changes moving forward …
DeKalb County Lobbyist Bruce Bowers testified at the State and Local Government Operations hearing Monday, March 12 in support of Commissioner Jeff Rader's claims that the attempt to incorporate Brookhaven is a "misapplication of the legislature's policy to allow self-determination" to move forward with the creation of a new city. Brookhaven YES President J. Max Davis in his testimony took issue with the fact that Bowers - a county employee - spoke against county residents' rights to vote for a new city. The issue was again raised Sunday morning on Fox News' The Georgia Gang public affairs …
Although Chamblee High School's Construction won't be affected by the $41 million shortfall reported recently by the DeKalb County School System, Chamblee High School's $68-million renovation project is overbudget by $10 million, and according to many parents, is taking far too long. Parents expressed frustation over dealys to school administrators at a recent meeting in which they were notified that final construction would not be completed until 2014. What are your thoughts about the project? Are you frustrated about Chamblee High School's Construction? Tell us in comments. Join or start …
Rep. Mike Jacobs met with a group of residents in Brookhaven Fields who suggested a structure change to the seven-member council proposed in the version of HB 636 that passed by the House of Representatives. He outlined the concern in his newsletters as follows: "As it stands now, there would be a seven-member city council comprised of three at-large council members who would be elected by the city as a whole but each reside in one of three districts, three district council members who would reside in each of the three districts and be elected only by the citizens who live in their particular…
The Senate's State and Local Government Operations Committee will hear testimony from both sides of the argument on Brookhaven's proposed cityhood Monday at 2 p.m. in the Coverdale Legislative Office Building in room 307. The hearing is likely the last opportunity for public comment on the measure. Rep. Mike Jacobs, the bill's sponsor, asked constituents to follow up by emailing members of the committee - including himself and Sen. Fran Millar - with opinions. How heavily do you think your opinion will count in whether the bill is reported favorably out of this committee? Tell us in comments …
Doug Dillard, co-owner of Savi Urban Market presented to Ashford Park Civic Association last week his proposal for improvements on the structure he purchased from the old Mom & Pop store owners. The idea is to create a completely new façade to conform to the Brookhaven Overlay guidelines and to build a 6,300 square-foot second story to feature prepared food themes and wine and beer tasting stations, while the first floor remains an upscale convenience grocery store. DeKalb County Staff recommended denial of the variance citing several reasons, chief among them was the amount of space between …
A Michigan man filed a class action lawsuit claiming the $8 he spent at the movies for a box of candy and a soda was too expensive. Joshua Thompson filed his suit in Wayne County Circuit Court against the AMC Livonia movie theater in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to lower the price of snacks. Do you agree with Thompson? Are the snacks sold in movie theaters too expensive? Tell us in Comments and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
The right of all people to have a voice in the electoral process is among America's greatest freedoms. Our democratic form of government was designed for citizen participation. Yet, some choose not to exercise their right to participate. In the November 2011 elections, of the 1,830 residents registered to vote at Ashford Park Elementary School only 292 or just under 16 percent of those registered, actually voted. Similarly, of the 2,411 voters whose polling place is located at the Chamblee Civic Center, 453 or 18 percent of those registered showed up to the polls. Why, after a long history …
With many state municipalities having already voted for Sunday sales in November 2011, including Chamblee, Brookhaven voters will finally have the opportunity to cast their vote for or against the measure on Super Tuesday. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit the Secretary of State website to locate your polling place. How will you vote? Tell us in comments. Join the conversation on the Brookhaven Patch Facebook Page.
