How Does Cityhood Sound to You?

Brookhaven's moving toward cityhood. There's been talk of other communities looking to become municipalities. Might this be a good idea for North Druid Hills?

Brookhaven Patch reported yesterday that two state legislators support a bill that would codify the process through which communities could become cities. This, of course, spurred by the well-known interest of many Brookhaven residents to formally turn their community in a city. Residents their have said they're frustrated with the county and want more control over what goes on in their communities. The county is worried about the financial effect incorporation could have on county services. Some Brookhaven residents are worried about the tax increase that would accompany cityhood. Others don't think the complexities of cityhood have been discussed enough, and not enough residents are even aware of it. The North Druid Hills-Briarcliff area…

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Ready for a New City Next Door?

Estimates determined that City of Brookhaven operations could yield an annual surplus.

Residents living in the proposed City of Brookhaven could end up paying lower taxes or using an estimated $3.4 million surplus for additional services, according to the feasibility study released Monday by the Citizens for North DeKalb. Georgia State University's Carl Vinson institute concluded that based on the study area's property taxes and insurance fees, cable, electric and gas franchise taxes, law enforcement confiscated monies, parking fees, fines and beverage taxes, the new city would yield approximately $28.5 million in revenue. Conversely, the expenses of running the city, including salaries for the city council, city manager, clerk, police, parks operations, and facilities management would cost the city approximately $25 million…

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Dresden East Residents Organize to Fight Brookhaven Boundaries

Residents here are angry that their residential area was left off the map, but their commercial district was included.

Dresden East residents resolved Thursday night to organize the community of more than 1,200 homes in an effort to stop or slow down a process that seeks to include its commercial district into the proposed City of Brookhaven, but leave out its residential area. Questions rang out among the more than 60 residents at a second meeting hosted by Rep. Elena Parent, District 81, at St. Pius X Catholic High School cafeteria. Residents here said they are worried that their commercial district was “cherry picked” to add additional tax base to the area currently being studied by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. They said their options to annex or incorporate themselves at a later date is threatened by the plan. "…

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Patch Asked, You Answered

Patch Asks: What is Happening at Hastings Nature & Garden Center?

Brookhaven's go-to garden shop is moving!

Have you noticed lately that the Hastings Nature & Garden Center keeps getting emptier? That super discount, 50-70% off, and the dwindling stock of plants has many Brookhaven locals looking around the huge store in shock. What's happening to Hastings? It's not going away, it's just moving! The new location at Peachtree Corners is still under construction, and the move itself takes place next week. Are Brookhaven regulars willing to make the extra 15 minute commute to stock up on Hastings garden wares? Check out this week's Patch Asks video to see how a few customers react to the big change, as well as interviews with Hastings manager Kate Gundersen and landscape designer Tommy Grigsby! Stop by Hastings soon, because there are still a few …

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