Oh, boy.

I'm glad this appears to have the top priority as "careful". My points exactly as I hope people have "carefully" read my opinion piece--not that anyone should place any import on it.

http://northdruidhills.patch.com/blog_posts/cityhood-on-tap-for-the-briarpatch-take-your-time-please

I hope that takes into consideration that moving to an economic study by the legislature just to get something in the pipeline is not "careful". First, we need to economic opinions, not one from a Georgia politically connected group that has never issued a negative opinion. It is tantamount to the state only using one school accrediting agency (SACS).

But even bigger than that--we don't even know each other as a community--as has been made obvious with the "Levitas Commission" (and the 501-c3's meeting) and well before that with a host of community organizing efforts.

The map of this new city doesn't make sense. How is Embry Hills get included, while Sagamore Hills is mostly left out? What is the decision making process in the coverage of the City and why does it seem off center? (Just curious. Not trying to stir a pot.)

Rather rude to leave Leafmore/Creek Park out of the Lakeside proposal since we do attend the school. Never mind that we have a commercial district.

No love for Sagamore.

It should at least go to Clairmont

I agree that the map is completely nonsensical. Almost half of it is outside 285 and it totally ignores both Sagamore and Druid Hills.

What is the logic of providing shared services as far away as Pleasnatdale Road but not as close as Clarimont Rd.?

Wow, that's confusing. So people who now live in Tucker, with a designated Tucker zip code, and have children attending elementary schools that are designated as part of the "Tucker cluster" would now live in the city of Lakeside? That's ... um.... uh... well, confusing.

There really should be two cities, and they shouldn't be based on school attendance zones. A city of Briarcliff should be incorporated on the western portion, spanning the area in between the Atlanta city limits and somewhere near Northlake Mall. The area spanning eastward from Northlake Mall, outside the perimeter, and to the DeKalb-Gwinnett border should be incorporated as the city of Tucker.

I have to agree with the above posters that these proposed boundaries seem oddly drawn. Why exclude Leafmore and Sagamore Hills from a City of Lakeside, while including substantial portions of Tucker? An area spanning roughly the attendance zones for Druid Hills and Lakeside would seem far more coherent, and would fill the geographic gaps between the City of Atlanta, City of Decatur, and Avondale Estates.

All of this information is very disturbing and represents some pretty suspicious, arbitrary thinking on someone's part (can we say Levitas?). According to the Secretary of State's office, this group is registered as a Domestic Nonprofit, with Levitas being the Registrar. That is not the same as being a 501(c)(3) with the IRS.

The best advice I have seen on this topic comes from Tom Doolittle in his article and this posting. However, no one seems to be listening to him. This is all moving way too rapidly and is going to end up dividing neighborhoods instead of bringing them together. If you thought the Brookhaven fight was nasty, wait for this to go any further.

Personally, we don't need yet another layer of government. We should be consolidating, not tearing everything into little fiefdoms. Oh, wait! This is Georgia, home to 159 county fiefdoms. So much for any chance for regional cooperation.

I posted this on the date listed in response to another Patch blog.....
Local Boy
2:39 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

I would say start with the current cities - Decatur, Avondale, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Clarkston, Chamblee, etc. - and see if they can extend their city limits. Then look at the zip codes - Tucker 30084, Druid Hills 30329 - these are already established communities, almost like cities. If more of central DeKalb wants to develop a plan, go for it. Hard part is finding the balance between residential and commercial tax districts.

Clearly we need a new city -- at least one new one. We need responsive government and local control. There are a lot of variations in shape that are possible; perhaps we can come up with a logical shape and size.

Good Lord this just looks like a mess! One of the major points of our area is that we have the prestige of an Atlanta address! Doesn't Mary Kay Woodworth have anything better to do????

Mary Kay Woodworth must live in Tucker.

It's a shame that most of your see this as self serving when it is a lesson in government and what can happen as result of a community being given the opportunity to express their needs and opinions. Please keep in mind this is in the very early planning portion. Feasabilty hasn't even been determined yet. Go to the 2/13 meeting and become educated on the roots of this proposal.

The proposed boundaries shown on the map are purely arbitray and self-serving to the initiaters of this proposal and drawers of the map.

I believe the intent was not to step on the toes of a Sagamore group that was apparently also already working on a map. The info I read on the Lakeside Alliance's Facebook page stated that they welcome other groups, including Sagamore if they want to be added to the map.

I'm completely in agreement with Carrie Redwine. I'm a 40-plus-year homeowner in walking distance of Lakeside High School and Hawthorne Elementary, heavily invested in this community (former PTA president). I'll fight tooth and nail to keep my Atlanta address. I, too, wonder if the ones who started this messy business of a city of "Lakeside" have an Atlanta address to protect?? With all due respect to "Tucker," I think anyone would agree that "Lakeside" sounds better. Why not put all this energy to form a new city into improving the DeKalb County government? This will be a far better investment. Leave my Atlanta address alone--that's why I moved here!! I don't think this new committee knows the can of worms it is opening.

Leave Tucker Alone!!

I would like to know more about the proposed boundaries and the premise that this is the Lakeside community. It includes parts of Tucker, Druid Hills, and Cross Keys school clusters. I don't usually consider Dresden Rd and Buford Highway, or McClendon Rd and Tucker Library as part of my neighborhood or school community.

Have y/all been wearing blinders? Are you not seeing the corruption in DeKalb? Schools, government ... it's an embarassment. And stop getting your knickers in a twist about Sagamore - who has eliminated much of the Lakeside school district with their own city plan ... but they're upset not to be on this plan? The fact is we need something better than DeKalb is giving us, and this is an opportunity to come together and figure that out so we can thrive instead of being pulled down the drain of this county.

Looking back at my blog:
"The Northlake idea has the added benefit of incorporating Industrial property, a hospital and some railroad tracks (can you say commuter rail station)... You can make a case that a 2-mile radius around Northlake Mall would be the most “complete” of the new cities on an economic asset basis (things that many new cities are very short on)... Since the new city movement is all about breaking all of the rules about what constitutes a city, why not one where the commercial/industrial revenue is twice that of the residential."

More Press--all press is good press as Donald Trump once said--its one of indirect benfits of simply having a study group formed.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/dekalb-group-exploring-cityhood/nWJcp/

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/political-insider/2013/feb/07/your-daily-jolt-another-dekalb-city-proposed-one-c/

BTW--one of the dangers of having organizations that aren't officially chartered trying to do the public's work (its called "self-appointment"--I know from whence I speak) is that you set yourself up for criticism (hopefully, accollades too) from your neighbors.

I firmly believe this area is unique in many ways--so different that it can safeguard against unnecessary personal attacks--and also set up a process where representatives' mandates are firmly established.

I think this blog (and participants) can do this with respect being a number one priority. It may not have been needed elsewhere, but we can do it better.

I live in the area and don't yet have an opinion on the proposal or map. I assume that the map excluded Sagamore and Leafmore because of their apparent interest in their own new city. That seems completely unfeasible due to the lack of tax base and that they would most likely ultimately included if this moved forward.

As to the "Atlanta Address" issue. Sandy Spings still uses an Atlanta address. Heck, anyone can use an Atlanta address just like we do now in unincorporated Dekalb county. We aren't Atlanta now and won't be Atlanta if this happens. So calm down, you can put whatever you want on your magazine subscription so long as the zip code is right.

Thank you Patch for giving us a forum to exchange ideas!

Lou raises an important ethical question--many people move into unincorporated areas for various reasons. They essentially choose a governing jurisdiction--in Lou's case DeKalb County. His property rights are assigned by DeKalb. Is it "right" that someone in Oak Grove (with no current standing to do so) help decide whether lou should join Grove in a new city?

Note--the wider the map casts its net, the less Lou's vote counts in his own behalf. Worse, commercial property owners get absolutley no say whether the disposition of the their property turns over to a new set of citizens.

The map is obviously more important than defining a community boundary (and address)--it defines the fairness in those getting assigned to it. This is something that the legislature competely fails to recognize.

Note: this is NOT the same thing as annexation, where each neighborhood (about 500 people on a GOOD election day decides each neighbors fate)--something inherently fairer--and safer economically moving forward.

I live in the proposed city, as do my parents (whom I spoke to about it). I'm aware that Sandy Springs has been very happy with it, but it sounds like Fulton county was doing a terrible job of keeping things cleaned/maintained/policed prior to their city-hood.

I haven't really had any big problems in my neighborhood. Garbage pickup has been fine. My street was paved about 2 years ago. My own neighborhood hasn't had crime problems, although I know there are sporadic breakins in various neighborhoods.

We're not vehemently against it, but we've not had such problems that were extremely in favor either. I want to know more about the improvements that are forseen by becoming a city.

Sounds like a good idea. I would call it Northlake instead of Lakeside. Mosr name recognition, and recognitions that the biggest commercial in the city is Northlake

Don't take century parkway DECA needs it for getting into Chamblee or it should go to Brookhaven. Crossing 285 for just this small segment isn't right.

It also looks like unincorporated areas will be left as islands surrounded by incorporated areas. I thought you can't do that.

What's DECA?

I can't help myself, but I wanted to add a bit of levity to this discussion. I found this example on YouTube of something DeKalb County has done well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2xnWYx8YK8

As others have stated above, I'm curious as to the criteria and decision-process in establishing the boundries of the map. For example, we are walking distance to Lakeside High School and are NOT in the boundries, yet Tucker communities are???

Seems the logical criteria to draw the map is to based it on the current Lakeside High School attendance zone or area?

The map is totally unbalanced. It has areas that are not in the lakeside area. Why would 500ft.of Dresden Drive at Chamblee Tucker Rd. Considered lakeside? Sounds like a group of people are having a panic attack over what is happening in DeKalb and not thinking to clearly. This city thing is being hijacked by a few people for gains other than for the betterment of the community as a whole.

Love the guys who don't understand the common post-1950's bonds that built the Druid/Briarcliff/Lavista/Tucker corridor--and why that will be the difference between politicizing a city-hood "movement" here and Dunwoody and Brookhaven.

The bonds are shaped by local organizations like the churches and soccer leagues--cutting across high school districts that are ironic partners. The employment centers of the feds and Emory create a unique "same-source" population (we saw this in DC when the CIA hired tens of thousands in the 1950s--created a pulse of new families that essentially was a fraternity.)

Maybe most unique of all are the numbers of third-generation residents--for a suburb, its unheard of. Heck--the original residents never moved--for 45 years!!! Talk about glue. Second, the kids grew up, many stayed, but many that grew up came back within blocks of their parents homes. The second generation practically invented the "buy your parent's" homes movement.

Remarkably, an area of such "sameness" is not not a monolith.
(1) From Druid Hills moving "outward" toward Tucker, its voting patterns swing from left to right.
(2)This is not a population that is easily "managed"--practically chaotic with many chief and no Indians.
(3) We vote. A special election will not assist a city vote here.

Vinson, Brookhaven's consultant said in the Buckhead Chamber video. The city-hood movement ends at I-85. Tucker maybe--BriarPatch fuggetaboutit without a looooonngg haul.

Question: Is the propised City of Lakeside different from the proposed City of DeKalb? I attended the meeting at Oak Grove United Methodist Church regarding the City of Dekalb which was very informative of how new cities are formed. I hope this meeting will be able to present both sides of the issue.

We are incredibly happy with Dekalb and everything about Embry Hills. Please leave us out of this. We have a close community and don't need people who want what is best only for them to ruin things for everyone.

Would a new school district be considered? Frankly I don't know if Dunwoody has considered one? I would think there is a great opportunity to sucede from the "mess we call DCS"!

We can separate this blog from the rest by respecting people who risk their relationships with their closest neighbors by trying to initiate a conversation and come up with a common agenda.

If we can arrest a responsible process--and make that the first priority, that gets rid of the fear (and anger) and sets a foundation for addressing common sense alternatives--like using this time and the unlikely probability of gaining a majority vote--to tell the legislature its time to look at other states' municipalization laws--they are much more responsible and focus on transferring most responsiilites to cities that are MANDATED to be formed SIMULTANEOUSLY and avoid the domino effect. They also set up transition periods.

The processes forcing this issue in Dunwoody and particularly Brookhaven were not fair and public conversation was ugly and divisive. We can do better--ours can be as unique as this area always has been.

How many of you have heard people say--"this area is the world's greatest kept secret"? Maybe we ought to ask ourselves why that is and make that our foundational question.

From the article above:
"The non-profit, chaired by Northlake-area resident Mary Kay Woodworth, will hold its first public meeting at Lakeside High on Feb. 13 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. It released the following statement Wednesday"....

I seem to recall three of Woodworth's children going through Lakeside..

Linda - to dispel any rumor or innuendo about the Woodworths and their involvement in the community - here's just their school history of involvement. Three of their children went K-12, Henderson Mill, Middle, Lakeside. Youngest went k-8 Henderson Mill, Middle. LHS was falling apart at that time between Chelf/Lewis, and youngest went to St. Pius. Mary Kay was actively involved in PTA at all DeKalb schools her children attended, serving as president at each of those multiple years and times. Mark and Mary Kay both have served on school councils at Henderson Mill (Mark still serving), Henderson Middle and Lakeside. So before you go claiming that they are self-serving and "Northlake bureaucracy", get your facts right.

From my standpoint (working mom with two K-12 kids), there are three important things that local government has some control over: schools, sanitation, and policing. I am dismayed by Dekalb County's school board, but a new city will not change that, and our local schools are excellent despite the school board. The local schools need our energy and resources (time and money) to remain that way. I am completely satisfied with Dekalb County sanitation -- curbside recycling is wonderful, we have 2x week trash, they are reliable. Our crime rate is low. Where is the pressing need that a new city would be certain to meet?

should be a great meeting tomorrow (Wed 2/13) at Lakeside High 7:00

The map excludes me by one street. I'll be at tonight's meeting!

Why was this meeting set up on Ash Wednesday? Was it for some specific reason? Invited some neighbors to come, but they could not because they were going to an Ash Wednesday service. A lot of folks who may have been there will be in church, and not there to give valuable input. Hmm.

How about a County named Lakeside?!?!?!?!

Where does this plan leave those of us between Clairmont and LaVista? Toco Hill/Executive Park area. We aren't 'Druid Hills'. A significant commercial area. Are we to form our own city? Is that what is meant by comments like 'Sagamore Hills is considering its own city?

Perhaps this answers my question. So we are now Lindbergh-LaVista. Difficult to stay informed.

An alternative city map has been put forward by the North Druid Hills Study Group. We have origins in StandUp DeKalb,Inc., the organization that opposed the Sembler redevelopment of Adams Stadium and Kittredge etc. in 2007-08. Our map actually includes the DeKalb neighborhoods in the Lindbergh-LaVista Corridor Coalition and several major Lakeside High neighborhoods which were also excluded by the Lakeside “Alliance.” Though we have been working with civic leaders since January on city hood, we are just now getting a website where we can post this. Please check back for more info and a link. We want your feedback.
Thanks. — Don Broussard

To clarify--I reposted Don Broussard's comment--I checked several sites--NDHRA, Merry Hills and Lindbergh La Vista--I am fairly certain the comment was posted somewhere on that site. Not certain of much at present--living in some sort of limbo.
http://lindberghlavista.org/

It also seems that this group held a meeting in Jan at Oak Grove Methodist church--general discussion on forming cities and a City of North DeKalb. As much discussion as there has been concerning the future development of the former Briarcliff High School I would hope there are a number of very concerned citizens in this area.
Any 'clues' as to what one day be done with BHS would be appreciated by many---fwiw.

Required reading for anyone interested in discussing city-making. Note--almost all formative work (the stuff that creates "bones" in a community) was done with a recalcitrant legislature. Now the same excesses exist in the other direction. Making up for lost time is not a prescription for success.

http://encycl.opentopia.com/term/Sandy_Springs,_Georgia