A Message from the former DHCA President, Bruce MacGregor:

"In November 2006, the DHCA took the unprecedented action of conducting a mail-out neighborhood survey (PDF) to ascertain community interests in the Revitalization of Emory Village. We have now tabulated the 400 plus responses.(PDF) Many respondents mentioned the 2002 plan and expressed support for that plan, which recommended a lesser height and lot coverage.  The survey also elicited 402 additional comments, which have been compiled verbatim in 26 typed pages. (PDF)

In general, the respondents have indicated a desire for a pedestrian oriented community center at a village scale. Some residential use is supported, as part of this vision, but there is concern that Emory Village not be converted into an apartment/condo project.  There is a strong desire expressed for requiring open space along Peavine creek as part of the proposal.

Major specific findings of the survey include:

a)  Strong support for more and better retail and restaurant space (88%)
b) Strong support for required public open space, especially in the stream buffer and floodplain (77%).
c) Strong support for maintaining the current zoning if open space is not required as part of the zoning overlay (71%).
d) Mixed responses regarding allowable height.
-Almost half want height limited to one or two floors (45%).
-A large majority are OK w one, two or three floors (80%).
- There is only minimal support for four floors (15%).
e) Mixed responses regarding residential space and office space.
 -A large majority want residential units limited to less than one hundred (74%)
- A significant minority want units limited to less than fifty (37%)
f) Mixed responses regarding food stores and gas stations.
g) Concerns about reducing parking requirements.

These findings were a major consideration in developing the DHCA position on the proposed zoning overlay.

• DHCA letter send to Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader on alcohol ordinance (Sent May 28th, 2009) 
  
  June 17th, 2009 DHCA Board Meeting Alcohol Ordinance Discussion
  Thanks to everyone who attended the DHCA board meeting yesterday evening, and especially to Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader. 
  We also thank our commissioners for bringing a draft revised ordinance that includes a buffer between restaurants that sell alcohol in the overlay district 
  and homes that are adjacent to the district. We understand from their explanation that it is intended to be a straight line 50’ buffer from property line to 
  property line, in addition to setbacks.
  
  As the meeting progressed, it became even more apparent that those in the room shared the same goals. We want to see Emory Village revitalized, the
   sooner the better, and we are frustrated that it is taking so long. We want to see additional restaurants in the Village, especially upscale restaurants. We are not
   opposed to their serving alcohol, but we do not want to have “late night establishments” such as bars and night clubs in the Village. A substantial number are 
  in favor of a buffer between restaurants in the overlay district and homes just outside the district. The board subsequently approved a motion to support the 
  Commissioners’ Revised Alcohol Ordinance, as rewritten to provide for the 50’ buffer.
  
  Thanks again to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. Now that we have established our common goals, let’s work together to see them 
  accomplished.
  

• Final Emory Village Overlay Map (pdf)

• DeKalb County Approved Emory Village Overlay Documents (pdf)

• Article: 
  EMORY VILLAGE OVERLAY ADOPTED (pdf) (added 7-7-07)
  From the June, 2007, Druid Hills News
  See image

• Article: 
  The DeKalb County Commission on Tuesday, May 22,  approved the zoning overlay
  district in Emory Village in a 6-0 vote.
  Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) coverage of passed Emory Village Overlay:
  www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2007/05/22/0522emoryvillage.html

• Document: DeKalb County Commissions' Revised Version of the Proposed Zoning Overlay (PDF) (added 5-7-07)

• Document: Letter from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
  RE: Emory Village Proposed Zoning Overlay District. (PDF) (added 3-17-07)
   
• Document: DHCA Cover Letter (PDF) (added 3-13-07)
   
• Document: Emory Village - Proposed Changes of the Druid Hills Civic Association (PDF) (added 3-14-07)

Experts Opinion on Emory Village: (added 3-12-07)

1. Dale Jeager FASLA, AICP, Principal Landscape Architect & Preservation Planner; The Jeager Company
   PDF Document
        - Emory Village Regulating Plan (map) PDF Document
        - Emory Village Diagrams: Section A,   Section B,   Section C
    
2. Pratt Cassity, Director, Center for Community Design and Preservation, Univ of GA.
   PDF Document
3. Catherine Nagel, Executive Director; National Association of Olmstead Parks   PDF Document
4. Kenneth D.Bleakly, Jr, President; Bleakley Advisory Group PDF Document
5. Click here (PDF) for the position of the DHCA  on the proposed Emory Village zoning overlay
   (added 12-22-06)
    

• Images:
  Photo Enhancements of the Proposed Emory Village - (below)
  

(added 7-7-07) EMORY VILLAGE OVERLAY Adopted - From the June, 2007, Druid Hills News	North Decatur Road as it is now.	Photo enhancement to show North Decatur Road if built as proposed.	North Decatur Road as it is now.	Photo enhancement of North Decatur Road as proposed.
Oxford Road as it is now.	Photo enhancement of Oxford Road as proposed.	Sketch of proposed roundabout	Sketch of North Decatur per proposed revitalization	Aerial sketch of proposed revitalization.
Proposed roundabout.	Sketch of the proposed Emory Village Elevation.	AIEV Base Regulating	Revitalization Plan Existing	Village Regulating Plan

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