What is the Briarcliff/North Druid Hills Collaborative Plan?
In response to various proposals for development and decisions by the DeKalb School System and the Housing Authority of DeKalb County to vacate holdings in the area, DeKalb County Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader initiated a large scale community-based planning process involving all affected stakeholders.
They asked that the non-profit Livable Communities Coalition convene stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that creates a unified vision and places the individual proposals into a larger context.
What is the scope of the plan?
The plan evaluates the characteristics of the study area, including transportation and other infrastructure, environmental features, streetscapes, sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces.
A strategy to enhance these features will be developed. The plan will also provide guidance on the nature and intensity of future development, including potential retail, commercial, and residential activities. The plan will help guide the Commission as it decides requests for changes in land use and zoning in this area.
The plan is a supplement to legally mandated public review, Development of Regional Impact review, and County Commission consideration of planning and zoning changes in the study area. It does not replace or abbreviate that process.
What is the study area?
The study area encompasses approximately 685 acres surrounding the intersection of Briarcliff and North Druid Hills roads. It is roughly bounded by Cliff Valley Way, Sheffield Road, Holly Lane, and I-85.
How is the study being paid for?
Since County funds are not available to support this effort, the Livable Communities Coalition (www.LivableCommunitiesCoalition.org) solicited contributions to fund the professional planning assistance of Alex Garvin & Associates (www.alexgarvin.net) in the process. Five surrounding neighborhood associations and three property owners responded, with the property owners providing the majority of support. DeKalb County Planning Department is providing in-kind technical support.
To ensure the integrity of the process, contributors have no financial influence over the consultant or the Coalition. The consultant’s contract can be reviewed on the project website.
What’s in it for residents and other stakeholders?
Beginning immediately, the study findings will provide a resource for decisions affecting future development in the area.
In addition to suggestions regarding transportation, the plan is also expected to provide recommendations for other long-term improvements such as public open spaces and facilities of interest to everyone.
It will also suggest funding mechanisms to support required investments, because without this element, new development is not sustainable.
What’s next?
After months of analysis and stakeholder input, a draft plan has been created. The draft plan is subject to further review by community groups, with a final draft of the plan expected August 29th.
This plan will then be subject to further public review and Commission action in the form of potential amendments to the County Land Use Plan and zoning changes.
Please consult the project website at www.briarcliffnorthdruidhills.org.
Questions and comments may also be phoned or forwarded to the Livable Communities Coalition at 404-214-0081 or embillis@livablecommunitiescoalition.org.
Prepared by: Livable Communities Coalition