Atlanta Daily World

Anti-Walmart Group in Decatur Seeking to Block Retailer's New DeKalb County Store

The DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 13 on an appeal filed by the attorneys for North Decatur group, Good Growth DeKalb.

Good Growth DeKalb has been in opposition to the building of a 149,000 square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter in Suburban Plaza at the corner of Scott Blvd, North Decatur and Medlock Rds in Decatur. The public hearing will address the appeal of a building permit issued by DeKalb County Dec. 12 for the proposed store.

On Jan. 9, Good Growth DeKalb sought out attorneys Stack & Associates and Scoggins and Goodman to file an appeal stating that the county's building permit went against county ordinances with storm water control, tree protection, and truck traffic.

Good Growth DeKalb presented their case to the County Technical Board of Appeals, which representatives later found out does not exist, thus the hearing is now set before the Zoning Board of Appeals for Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the DeKalb County Auditorium (Manuel Maloof Building)

The DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals, which has no authority over the matter, will also be addressing appeals Wednesday concerning the granting of a land disturbance permit for development in the Druid Hills historic preservation district.

Good Growth DeKalb is an organization the describes itself as DeKalb County residents with ambitions of ensuring sustainable development for the community. The group is worried that the international retailer will decrease residential property values and drive out local retailers and smaller businesses.

"With nearby Wal-Mart's within a four-mile radius, and other expecting to be open soon, the upsurge in stores will decrease shopping choices for consumers overwhelm local infrastructure," said a statement from the group.

Good Growth DeKalb is scheduled to will hold a press conference immediately after Wednesday's public hearing.

Comments   

 

0 #4 lou 2013-02-13 12:22

sore losers,sour grapes,professi onal protesters

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0 #3 Bryan 2013-02-11 17:46

This article is wrong, and so is GGD's appeal. They filed their appeal to the TAB but did so incorrectly (and late) because none of their allegations are eligible to be heard by TAB. The allegations in their appeal are Land Disturbance Permit issues, which the ZBA does have the authority to hear. Basically, GGD missed their opportunity to file an appeal of the Land Disturbance Permit so they're trying to circumvent the rules by filing an improper appeal of the Building Permit.

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0 #2 Harold 2013-02-11 16:18

You folks realize that no one in their right mind would actually feel safe GOING to those "nearby Wal-Mart's (sic) wihtin a four-mile radius," right?

The non-existent boards situation in this county is ridiculous, but so is pretending that the run-down Suburban Plaza is actually more beneficial to the area than a new Wal-Mart.

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+1 #1 Melanie 2013-02-11 14:02

The zoning board told them that it's supposed to go to the Technical Board of Appeals, yet the Technical Board of Appeals doesn't exist. Nice Dekalb! What the heck are they doing over there???
If Dekalb county doesn't follow their own rules on something as simple as this - how can we trust them for other things???

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