The Atlantic Journal Constitution updates readers on the progress of three proposed Wal-Marts in the ever-sprawling city, complete with fitting war language:
Southwest Fulton CountyOpponents in this battle are concerned that taxpayers will foot the bill for the necessary widening of roads that would provide access to the proposed store.
Opponents in southwest Fulton County this week staved off the chain's recent attempt to rezone land off I-285 and Cascade Road.
Wal-Mart backed off and withdrew plans, saying it plans to re-evaluate its position and rebuild neighbor relations.
"We won the battle, but I'm not sure the war is over," said Harvey Davis, a member of the Sandtown Community Association. "My hope is Wal-Mart ruled out that Cascade location."
Near MidtownConcessions also include that the store can be no larger than 150,000 square feet, significantly smaller than the proposed 220,000 square feet.
Another neighborhood group, the Northwest Community Alliance, initially opposed Wal-Mart's plan at the site of the former Castlegate Hotel off I-75 and Howell Mill Road.
However, Wal-Mart agreed to concessions, and the alliance approved. The project — called the District at Howell Mill — still must pass muster with the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
"Many of us have problems with Wal-Mart," said Michael Koblenz, chairman of the Northwest Community Alliance. "We all bristle at the term SuperCenter, but we ended up with an agreement."
Among the concessions: Wal-Mart will work with neighbors on the product mix of the store to make it more urban. Wal-Mart plans on hosting focus groups with neighbors to ensure the mix reflects the tastes of the neighborhood. The chain also said it does not plan a gun department and will not sell products on sidewalks outside the building.
DeKalb CountyNote a big-box is replacing a Mall.
Wal-Mart has asked Avondale Estates to annex and rezone 23 acres for a store at the site of vacant Avondale Mall, owned by Thomas Enterprises.
As we've read more into the dead mall and Avondale Estates, we've learned a little about the fine people of Avondale Estates, and why they may be scared of Wal-Mart.... (Continue reading below)
Wal-Mart battles for new turf [Atlantic Journal Constitution] subscription
Wal-Mart Eyes Avondale Mall Property [Community Review]
Avondale Estates [City of Avondale]
Wal-Mart approached the city of Avondale Estates about annexing the dead mall property into the city limits. The city has set up an ad-hoc committee to study the issue as there are concern's about traffic, store lighting, hours of operation, noise, buffers and crime. “There have been a number of rumors that crime goes up around Wal-Marts,” Mayor Jerry McCumber said. “I think they are investigating that to see if there is any validity to that.” [Check our weekly Wal-Mart crime watch to confirm rumors].
DeKalb County Commissioner Burrell Ellis is upset that Wal-Mart didn't approach the country about the property. “To me it is a slap in the face of the county that Wal-Mart wants to remove commercial property from the county and that they would make overtures to the city without having discussions about it with the county,” he said. “Not that the city doesn’t need a commercial base, but that’s our commercial base.” And Ellis apparently wants the best retail use for the site; and from these following paragraphs from the Community Review, that sounds like a Williams Sonoma paradise...
A big box retailer like Wal-Mart isn’t the highest and best use of the property, Ellis said.
“We rezoned the property to a mixed-use category and that’s what I envision--a pedestrian friendly urban village that would include residential and high-end commercial development,” he said.
Ellis said the county has had discussions with Borders Books and Starbucks about locating to the site and even discussions with “developers with the best reputation for community revitalizations.” But nothing has come to fruition.
“We are not looking for another Church’s Chicken fast food restaurant,” Ellis said. “We want something that is going to add to the tax base and add value to the community.”
Ellis said since he publicly stated his desire for mixed-use development to take the place of Avondale Mall, which closed in Dec., 2001, he has received nothing but positive feedback.
“Look at it from a location perspective,” Ellis said. “It’s adjacent to one of DeKalb’s most stable and vibrant neighborhoods—Avondale Estates, and it’s on a major corridor—Memorial Drive, so it has great visibility and accessibility, its inside I-285 and it’s one of the areas targeted by the Memorial Drive Revitalization Project. It is no question that we have a vested interest not only in developing that property but encouraging that it be developed at its highest and best use.”
Avondale Estates looks like a fine place to live. Visit the link to their web site above to check out their fine WASP-Y town. Wal-Mart really won't fit in. We've copied their city ordinances below. Maybe we're just jeolous because in our neighborhood there is a wide range of incomes and people and for sport all we have is cock-fighting in the basement of the corner bodega instead of community golf tournaments...
ORDINANCES
It is no accident that residential Avondale Estates is cleaner, neater and more attractive than neighboring cities and unincorporated DeKalb. There are two important reasons for this: (1) we are fortunate to have a citizenry which is generally committed to keeping Avondale Estates beautiful and (2) we have a system of laws and ordinances which requires that certain standards be maintained. Some of these are:
Historic Preservation Commission - Avondale Estates was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 1986 due its national importance as the only documented example in the southeastern United States of an early twentieth century planned town and the character of its architecture and landscape. Consequently, anyone planning remodeling, additions, renovation, new construction or demolition of any kind that is visible from the public right-of-way must contact City Hall 30 to 60 days prior to the beginning of the work to insure that plans will be in accordance with all city ordinances and zoning requirements. The Historic Preservation Guidelines are available for review at City Hall or may be purchased for $8.00
The PARKING of automobiles, trucks, trailers, RVs, boats, etc. in front or side yard areas off of paved drives and parking pads is prohibited. Recreational vehicles and/or utility trailers must be parked or stored within a completely enclosed garage or within an area screened by planting or structure from adjacent residences on street and approved by the building official.
Various parking and zoning ordinances prohibit parking of motor vehicles on (or partially on) medians, yellow curbs, and in other areas designated as restricted. Also regulated is the direction of on-street vehicle parking and the sizes and types of vehicles that may be legally parked in residential areas.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE-It is unlawful for the owner, operator or occupant of any property within the city to maintain such property with vegetation, deal limbs, branches from trees, underbrush, garbage, trash, stagnant water, or other things accumulated thereon that will constitute an unsightly, unsanitary or dangerous condition, health menace or fire hazard. The city is currently using a standard of six (6) inches on grass height as a means of being consistent in all situations.
The reasonable maintenance and upkeep of residences, garages and other outbuildings, yards, etc. is required. The piling of trash, grass cuttings, leaves and other debris in public streets is prohibited. These must be kept on grass medians/rights of way
Ordinance No. 841 pertaining to DISTURBING THE PEACE It is unlawful for any person to make any type of noise which may annoy or disturb their neighbors, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and can be heard more than fifty (50) feet from source of the sound.
Ordinance No. 805 expressly prohibits citizens from allowing their UNLEASHED DOGS to run loose in the community. All dogs and cats must be registered with DeKalb County. Information regarding registration may be obtained from the County or your veterinarian. The fine for allowing a dog to run at large begins at $100.
Ordinance No. 844 pertains to WASTE MANAGEMENT and makes recycling mandatory.
PARKS-The use and enjoyment of our public areas (e.g. lake, city parks, etc.) are limited to Avondale Estates residents and their guests.
SIGN ORDINANCE
No commercial signage is allowed in any residential areas of the City. No signage other than historic marker, original house designation, street identification number, real estate sign, security identification sign, yard sale sign, or sign containing a non-commercial message shall be allowed on any residential property of the City. No sign shall be placed on public right-of-way, attached to a utility pole, tree or mailbox. Signs can contain only two sides and cannot exceed 4 square feet in size and 3 feet in height. Signs must be at least 10 feet from the back of the sidewalk or 15 feet from the edge of the road where a sidewalk does not exist. This contains only some of the major points of the Ordinance. If you have any questions, please contact City Hall.
Beyond these, there are other strictly enforced legal ordinances and regulations that help to keep our city safe and attractive. For additional information regarding specific issues please SEARCH CODE OF ORDINANCES ON THE MAIN PAGE OR contact City Hall.
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