Tom Hogan Opposes New City of Brookhaven

Over the past several months I have been asked what I think about the proposed City of Brookhaven, and until now I have been mute on the topic.  As a citizen of Chamblee, I have been a part of a city for the past 10 years, and as a member of Chamblee’s City Council, I have given the concept of self-determination and Home Rule more thought than the average citizen.  I support the philosophy of Home Rule as one of the key foundations of American governance, and in that light I support anyone that wishes to organize with their neighbors to form a city.

I don’t want to say that my support is conditional, but as the concept of the City of Brookhaven has taken shape, the effort seems to have moved far away from the concept of self-determination, and become a commercial tax base “land grab” in effort to provide economic justification to support the efforts of a small number of people in the study-area.

I live in the part of Ashford Park that also lies in the city limits of Chamblee, so I often feel that I have one foot in Chamblee and the other in Brookhaven. Also, as someone who has been extremely involved in our community, few know as well as I the brand inequity between Chamblee and Brookhaven.  Never mind the recent Atlanta Magazine cover article naming “Bramblee” as one of the top 5 neighborhoods in Atlanta.  While Chamblee continues to see positive movement in the eyes of those in the Metro area, I believe Brookhaven enjoys the benefit of being a top-tier brand in the entire Metro area (on par with Vinings, but not quite Buckhead or Dunwoody).  As such, with localized services, I am sure incorporating as Brookhaven would strengthen/increase property values. 

However, as a policy maker, I view the situation a little differently.  I am a true believer of efficient and effective delivery of government services.  Taking the “name” out of the equation, I think forcing the creation of a city where there are really only neighborhoods is not the best choice to make.  Moreover, the notion of a rallying around a brand name to me is short-sighted and presents a false sense of political representation.  I don’t think it represents the foundation that an area needs to truly grow long-term.  I believe any argument boasting a resulting increase in property values is short-sighted and harshly underestimates the value of a 3-minute 911 response time.

If the residents of the unincorporated area want to produce a truly powerful result from this summer’s activities, with leverage at the Capitol and access to state resources for real economic development and improved public spaces, I think they should envision the long-term benefits of a larger City of Chamblee, with new found political influence to parallel other Metro Area cities, instead of potentially duplicating a government administration that is already in place, resulting is 2 relatively less significant DeKalb cities.

I am not suggesting that I have a perfect solution, and this letter to the editor cannot possibly approach the many topics this raises with the depth they deserve, however, I want to put my position on the record.  While annexing a new area almost always brings a short-term financial burden to the “old area”, I also currently believe that the City of Chamblee would benefit greatly in the long-term by being a bit larger, and I would currently support an effort to that end.

I welcome your thoughts.

Thomas Hogan
thogan@chambleega.com

Chamblee Business Association Releases Roundtable Summary

The Chamblee Business Association hosted a Economic Development Roundtable at its July General Meeting.  The Roundtable was part of the City of Chamblee's continuing process to update it's Comprehensive Development Plan.

Chamblee City Council voted in December of 2010 to budget the funds necessary to produce a Major Amendment to the CDP due to the recent annexation, the changing economic climate, and the requirement that an update be provided to the 2006 document.

The summary of the Chamblee Economic Development Roundtable has been prepared by Pond & Co., and is available on the Chamblee Business Association website.

You can view the report at the site: 
http://chambleebusinessassocia​tion.com/economic-development-​roundtable-discussion/

YOUR ACTION NEEDED
Please read the report and voice your opinion.  Comments can be left on the CBA site.  The more comments, the more value!

New Wine Shop Opens in Chamblee

From NeighborNewspaper.com, Nneka M. Okona (nokona@neighbornewspapers.com)

A new nook for vino lovers has opened its doors.  Le Caveau, at 5256 Peachtree Road in Chamblee, opened May 28.  The namesake of the wine shop is French for vault, the essence of what the shop hopes to become: a gold mine of fine wines to add to patrons’ cellars.

“We focus on Old World and natural wines, which translates into an European-dominated shop,” said Daniel Crawford, who handles wine sales and consulting. “Right now we have about 240 bottles and we are growing to have 400.”  Domestic wine selections are also available, along with some South American wines. South African wines will come in soon, Crawford said. Tote bags, decanters, polish cloths, reference books and wine glass charms are also available for purchase.

The business began as a result of a collection co-owner Eric Brown had formed. Brown began to collect wine a decade ago.  Brown and his wife Carrie, approached Crawford in November about starting Le Caveau.  “We have been hanging out and drinking wine together for a long time,” said Crawford. “We always kidded around about opening a restaurant or barbecue joint.”

The Browns reside in Chamblee, so opening there was a no-brainer.  “They live five minutes from the shop,” said Crawford. “That is what the business is about, serving the local economy and building a business within their own neighborhood.”

Bottles at Le Caveau start as low as $9.99.  “Within the world of wine, if you look hard enough, you can find very beautiful wines that are made naturally and are affordable,” said Crawford.

Le Caveau is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information: (770) 837-0710.

Mayor Clarkson Suggests Tax Rate May Come Down

(from the Brookhaven Reporter)

2/24


If all goes well, the city of Chamblee may be able to reduce its tax rate this year, Mayor Eric Clarkson said in his “State of the City” message.


“My hope is that the millage number can come down,” Clarkson told members of the Chamblee Business Association on Feb. 17. “It’s a shame we’ve had to balance our budget on the backs of our property owners. I think it’s time for it to come back down.”

Clarkson said the city historically had imposed a tax rate of about 5 mills, but that in recent years the rate had risen to cover city costs. The millage now is 7.95, he said. Taxes are calculated by multiplying a property’s assessed value by the millage. A new city tax millage will be set in May or June, the mayor said.

Chamblee city officials may be able to reduce the millage, he said, because the city is rebuilding its reserves to acceptable levels. In recent years, the reserves had fallen to near zero, he said, but this year the city’s reserves reached $1.7 million.

The budget projects revenues of about $13.7 million and expenditures of about $13 million, he said, meaning the city can add about $700,000 to its reserves. Clarkson said the total could still be below the amount city officials would want to keep in reserve funds. He said the reserve should equal about a quarter of the operating budget.

“One thing the city of Chamblee has always done is be fiscally responsible,” Clarkson said after the speech. “We intend to keep it that way.”

Clarkson said the annexation that took effect Jan. 1 will increase the population of the city by about 50 percent, to about 18,000 from about 12,000. The area annexed increases the size of the city to about 5 square miles from about 3.5 square miles, he said.

The city added 12 police officers, four communication officers and employees in public works in order to provide services to the area, he said. The city now has 104 employees, he said.

Residents of the annexed area began getting city services except garbage pickup on Jan. 1. The city contracted with DeKalb County to continue garbage pickups in the area for up to three years.

Atlanta Gas Light to Stay in Chamblee

(reposted from Citybizlist.com)

Parkside Partners, LLC (member of the Chamblee Business Association) a Chamblee based development and brokerage firm, sold a building it owned in Chamblee, Georgia to AGL Resources that will serve as the new location of the gas company's Peachtree Service Center. Parkside has been hired to AGL to handle the redevelopment of the building.


The sale to AGL closed on Dec. 29 for a purchase price of $2.98 million. Parkside Partners' principal, Kyle Jenks, represented RP Partners and Jim Sanders of ICON Commercial represented AGL.

The renovation of the 20,500 square foot building, located (just two blocks from the intersection of Broad and Peachtree, and) one-half mile from the former Doraville GM Plant, will include a complete interior upgrade, exterior improvements, and new landscape and sidewalks with streetlights and street-trees (according to the City of Chamblee's streetscape plan).

The renovations are scheduled to start in March, and the Peachtree Service Center employees will occupy the building by the end of June. The center will bring more than 50 jobs to the area, and has a total capital budget of $4 million.

RP Partners, a partnership between Parkside Partners and RACO General Contractors, acquired the building in March 2008. When Ingersoll Rand, which had leased and occupied the building the past 10 years decided to relocate when its lease expired, Parkside approached AGL about acquiring and completing an adaptive re-use of the building and 2.8 acre site.

The AGL Building redevelopment is the latest of several development projects Parkside Partners worked on in Chamblee. Parkside's other Chamblee developments include 3401 Malone, a warehouse Parkside converted into a loft office space for WGSI, a division of URS Corporation, and 5256 Peachtree, another converted loft office building where Parkside relocated its offices and has attracted ten additional tenants.

Town Hall Meeting for DeKalb County Budget

DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader is hosting a Town Hall Meeting to review the Proposed 2011 DeKalb County Budget.  The public is invited to come share its concerns.
DATE & TIME
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
6:30 pm -8:00 pm

LOCATION
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Annunciation
2500 Clairmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30329

Commissioner Jeff Rader represents District 2 on DeKalb County's Board of Commissioners. He was re-elected in November of 2010 (terms are 4 years).

Please forward any correspondence to jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov

Doraville GM Study to be unveiled at Open House

The City of Doraville is holding an open house to unveil the recent LCI Study for the GM Plant.  The event is scheduled for Wednesday 1/26, 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Doraville Civic Center, located at 3770 Central Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340.

LCI stands for Livable Centers Initiative. Since 1999 the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has been providing funding for planning studies and transportation projects across the Atlanta region. This program of studies and projects has become known as the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI). The focus of the program is to encourage increased residential development, mixed-uses and connectivity in different community types.

A portion of the GM Study includes an area that is now part of the City of Chamblee.  Chamblee citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting if they wish to learn more about the study.  A copy of the flyer and information on the plan can be found here:  FLYER.

Anyone with further questions about this issue are requested to contact Doraville online at http://www.doravillega.us/ or by phone at 770-451-8745.

DeKalb Schools Redistricting/Consolidation Meeting

The DeKalb County School System is in the process of a potentially major redistricting and school consolidation process for the 2011–2012 school year.  There are 5 public meeting scheduled to hear input about the Centralized Plan, the Decentralized Plan, and/or other ideas the public may have that could result in a thrid option.  This meeting is part of the public input workshops, which will be followed by the formal public hearing, and the presentation and approval of the redistricting and school consolidation recommendations by the School Board.

Of particular interest:  The Centralized Plan would remove the magnet program from Kitridge, Chamblee Middle and Chamblee High, and move them to Avondale Estates.

Meeting Place:  Chamblee High School
Meeting Time:  6:30

Maps of the Centralized and Decentralized options can be found on the DCSS website at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/redistricting.