Committee Type: Ad-Hoc (i.e. Project-based)

Convened: March 2020

Current Chairs: Patty Farinola and Jim Masone (bios below)

Charter: DVIC Charter

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The DVIC is a new committee formed in March 2020 to explore and understand the proposed changes along Buford Highway, and to assess the impact on our neighborhood. 

An informal survey conducted via Nextdoor.com in February 2020 indicates that there are very few people who are aware of the existence, scope and/or scale of the planned changes. A majority of survey participants expressed strong sentiments in opposition to a particular part of the plan that will have material consequences for all residents of DV. This is how/why the DVIC was born.

DVIC has been in touch with GDOT. We learned that the GDOT’s plan is, understandably, focused on pedestrian safety on Buford Highway, as there is considerable foot traffic crossing the highway.

Our goal is to represent the interest of the neighborhood
as the project moves forward later this year.

If you feel that you know enough about the issues regarding the median, click here to provide your input.  If not, keep reading for more details and vote at the end.

ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. Serve on the committee. Please click here to email the committee chair, Patty Farinola.
2. Stay informed
   • Check out the Hot Topics page for updates
   • Sign up for DVCA updates
   • Join the Nextdoor group: https://nextdoor.com/g/ggwcwrqjo/

ISSUE: The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans to build a  SOLID MEDIAN between the north- and southbound lanes of Buford Highway (BH). This will completely block the entrance to Drew Valley Road (DVR) from the northbound lane. Click here to view the map of the GDOT Plan for Project 0009400.  Click here to see the narrative of the entire plan. 

PURPOSE and BENEFITS: The objective of the GDOT project is to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities along the BH corridor. GDOT studies indicate the need for significant safety measures, as indicated in the plan. In addition to the median, sidewalks and a crosswalk will be installed, as well as a U-turn at Clairmont Terrace.

RAMIFICATIONS: If the solid, raised median is constructed, we will no longer be able to turn left at the DVR/BH intersection — either from northbound BH onto DVR into our neighborhood or from DVR onto BH heading northbound.

Not only will this be a major inconvenience to Drew Valley residents, it will likely cause significant changes in traffic patterns with consequences for safety and quality of life in our neighborhood.

Think about how you might get home or go to work (or elsewhere)
when access to and from northbound BH is blocked.

The plan includes a U-turn at Clairmont Terrace to serve more than 700 Drew Valley homes; approximately 400 apartment households; and the Windwood Mall patrons along southbound BH.  We expect that many neighbors will choose instead to pass through more DV surface streets just to get to their homes and destinations.

Concerns:

• Commuters driving northbound on BH wishing to access the Drew Valley neighborhood as well as apartment residences along southbound BH will be diverted onto DV surface streets
• Access to Clairmont Road, I85 at Clairmont Road and BH northbound will require use of nearby surface streets, in particular Skyland Brookhaven, Thompson Road, and Skyland Shopping Center

In order to avoid the increased volume and risk at the already dangerous intersection at Clairmont Terrace, it is likely that many DV residents and BH apartment dwellers will access DVR via Briarwood and then Briarwood Way instead of utilizing the U-turn.

Furthermore, to get out of the neighborhood to northbound BH, Clairmont Road, and I-85, the main access for DV neighbors, Cambridge Court apartments, Windwood apartments and Buford Towne apartments will be through the Skyland Brookhaven community, Thompson Road, or Skyland Shopping Center. Access to the Shell station and any future developments on the northbound side of BH will no longer be accessible from DVR.

These and other scenarios are expected to have serious negative impacts on Drew Valley and surrounding neighborhoods due to the likelihood that hundreds of families will rely our streets to get to and from their residences. This could result in a dramatic increase in traffic on our surface streets with attendant risk to pedestrians due to the lack of sidewalks, as well as to cars parked at the curbs, not to mention the noise and air quality issues.

SOLUTIONS: The DVIC is researching alternatives to the median to present to GDOT.

SUMMARY: DV and Skyland Brookhaven streets were not designed to accommodate the volume of traffic that is expected as result of the GDOT median. The results will be traffic jams, delays, air quality troubles, and greater risk to pedestrians and property throughout the area.

TELL US YOUR OPINION:

• YES:               Do you approve of the plan as it stands? Take this survey.
• NO:                 Do you have concerns about the median?  Sign this petition
• MAYBE:         Not sure? Neutral? We still want to hear from you. Click here.

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ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. Serve on the committee. Please click here to email the committee chair, Patty Farinola.
2. Stay informed
   • Check out the Hot Topics page for updates
   • Sign up for DVCA updates
   • Join the Nextdoor group: https://nextdoor.com/g/ggwcwrqjo/

COMMITTEE: DVIC is a large and active committee that is exploring the pros and cons of the GDOT project. Since most feedback about the plan thus far is in opposition to it, we are currently gathering data and preparing a business case to present to GDOT, showing how the changes as proposed will negatively impact the safety and quality of life of our neighborhood and the market values of our homes. This business case will be used to request alterations to the GDOT project, as the committee will actively advocate for changes to mitigate the negative impacts on our residents while working with GDOT to address their pedestrian safety goals.

Click here to view the Committee charter.

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Drew Valley Intersection Committee Co-Chairs, 2020