Most recent DVCA Meeting was July 14, 2021. Check out the minutes, slide deck, and more here!
DVIC Update, Spring 2021
On 19 August, a citizen’s request to alter the design of the solid median planned for Phase II of project 0009400 was submitted to GDOT. To date, there are 228 signatures on the petition against the median and 7 signatures in support of the median. Thus, the Drew Valley Intersection Committee (DVIC) chose to address the concerns of residents in Drew Valley, Skyland Brookhaven, and businesses along Buford Highway by presenting a justification of our request to change the project plans to include cuts in the median to allow for turns at Drew Valley Road and other locations along the stretch between the end of the current median and Clairmont Terrace. An additional request was made to shift the placement of a pedestrian crosswalk planned to be located just south of Drew Valley Road to further south, so as to avoid issues at that intersection.
We have asked for a meeting with GDOT to address our concerns directly and will update this website in order to keep you posted of further activity. We have also alerted our state and local government to request their assistant in this endeavor.
Drew Valley Voice Newsletter, Summer 2020
Here is the Summer 2020 edition of the Drew Valley Voice newsletter. Please take a few minutes to to see this excellent communication tool. Many thanks to Yun Jeong Kwak, Bailey Webb, Patty Farinola, and Jim Masone — all members of the DVIC — for stepping up to the plate to produce and distribute this important milestone. Response has been overwhelmingly positive. We would like to produce this on a regular basis. Anybody interested in working on the Communication Committee should contact current committee chair, Jessica Matthews.
City reviews whether new houses should be built in line with existing houses, or can be built closer to the street
Subject: Setback from the street for new construction
Background: When the City of Brookhaven was formed there was a code on the books that specified how far back from the Right Of Way (ROW) new or replacement homes could be built. It is called Average Front Setback (aka Contextual Setback). It means that the front of new houses should be lined up with existing houses. The reason for this specification is to keep the street view looking at least somewhat uniform (as opposed to some homes blocking the view from their neighbors’ houses). This code requirement has been on the books when we were part of the county and as a city. Many people feel that it has served the citizens well over the years.
In 2016, before rewriting the city zoning ordinance, the city surveyed the public to draw up Character Area Studies. Many neighborhoods said that they wanted setbacks enforced. At that time, there was both a minimum setback requirement and the average setback rule requirement.
Here is part of the Ashford Park – Drew Valley Character Area Study
Community Vision: The vision for the Ashford Park-Drew Valley area is for the existing character of the single-family neighborhoods to be maintained and preserved. Infill residential development should be permitted only if it is in keeping with the character of the surrounding residential structures including height, setback and architectural compatibility.
Here is a link to the full Character Area statement. Refer to Page 60 as numbered at the bottom of the pages.
In 2018, the new zoning ordinance was written with a description of Contextual setbacks that includes a description of how to measure the average front setback. See “Section 27-1336”. The word “optional” in the subsection (d)(1) seems to make the rule not required. See this link and look for “27-1336”
Then in Section 27-67, Table 2-3, Footnote 2 says “Contextual setbacks may be used for residential infill development. See Sec. 27-1336.” The word “may” in that sentence also appears to make the Average Front Setback regulation not required. See this link
In 2020, residents in Ashford Park noticed houses being constructed 30 feet closer to the street than their neighbors’ houses and commented on NextDoor.
Current Status: On August 5, 2020, the City of Brookhaven Planning Commission will discuss whether the Average Front Setback rule should be reinstated. There should be video of the meeting available on the city web site.
If you have an opinion on the standard setback from the street being in-line with existing houses. Write to the Mayor and City Council (who decide on changes in the ordinances) and the Planning Commission (which makes recommendations to the City Council).
If you have any questions regarding how this issue relates to Drew Valley, please contact the Zoning Committee.
2020 Resident Survey
Prior to the last Association meeting on 5 Feb 2020, a survey was initiated to learn about the issues that concern residents and their families. Click here to see the results of the survey. If you have not yet taken it and would like to provide your input, please click here. The results will be updated throughout the year.