DeKalb Commission Defers Controversial LaVista Land Purchase

DeKalb County commissioners again deferred a decision to purchase more than six acres on LaVista Road for a future park, as discussion continued to center on whether the parcel is overpriced.

"Three of the four parcels of land on this tract are landlocked; only one has an entrance and exit onto LaVista Road," Calvin Hicks, chief county tax appraiser, told the board. "We have to consider each parcel separately, and those entrances increase the value of the overall tract."

District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader made a motion that the board approve the purchase, but District 5 Commissioner Lee May made a substitute motion to defer the item for two weeks.

"I'm concerned that this property is appraised for $400,000, that we're going to purchase for $2 million," May said. "We need to discuss this further."

Rader said the item had already been deferred for two weeks, "and I'm concerned that waiting another two weeks is pushing the expiration date on this arrangement."

No designs have been set for the park, according to Rader. But the county plans to purchase the land to create a park with walking trails, according to the proposal. The land is "historically significant," the proposal said, "and an interpretation of original family ownership is planned."

Greenspace preservation in District 2 has been a priority of Rader's. It's important that the county acquire the land because much of the district was developed without greenspaces in mind, he said. Now, the area is mostly developed, so large tracts of bare land are hard to come by.

The land is currently owned by Paulee Partners headed by Rick Porter. It's adjacent to Lavista Road east of the intersection with Oak Grove Road.