Commissioner Rader Digest
05/10/09 9:43 pm
ARC Application
The Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to formally seek feedback from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) on two applications for changes to the county's comprehensive development plan in District 2. Both applications are requesting changes to character areas in the master plan.
One is from a developer for the "Symphony Park" project that proposes to reclassify an area on lower Buford Highway from Commercial Redevelopment Corridor to Town Center. The other is from the property owner on behalf of an undetermined project for the former DeVry University campus on DeKalb Industrial Way.
While this review is required before a land use plan amendment is considered, it in no way commits the county to changing the plan. ARC will analyze the applications and seek feedback from other jurisdictions with vested interests, including the cities of Atlanta for the former and Decatur for the latter. Within 60 days, ARC is expected to submit its recommendations to the BOC, which has the final say on the applications.
Executive Park Development
Final approval was granted for "The Park Druid Hills," a mixed-use development for the space occupied by the current Executive Park office complex (I-85 and North Druid Hills Road). This project incorporates several recommendations from the Quad Area Study conducted in 2007.
Those elements include green space, street boulevards with urban context, traffic calming techniques, and a street network that eventually can connect to other sections of the quad area bisected by North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road. The feedback at public meetings, and through my office, indicated the surrounding neighborhoods were comfortable with the proposed location and density for this project.
The Quad Area study helped us to articulate a vision for the area, which in turn compelled the developers to implement the community's wishes. This project could set a new standard for public space in the district or county.
[The QAS report is available at: http://www.commissionerrader.com/issues/issue33.html]
Green Space Purchase
One of my priorities for 2009 is for DeKalb County to acquire more green space in District Two (for more about my 2009 goals, see: http://www.commissionerrader.com/issues/issue32_files/Rader-Postcard-p1.pdf). In this district, there is inadequate green space relative to the number of communities. The county has roughly $6 million remaining in the 2001 Parks Bond Acquisition Fund for green space purchases in this district.
With the slump in the real estate market, this year could be a prime opportunity to purchase land at bargain prices. To that end, I introduced a motion, approved by my fellow commissioners, authorizing the county to purchase a small parcel of land on Cartecay Drive (30319) known informally as "Clack's Corner."
The purchase resulted from the initiative of its neighborhood, specifically the Brookhaven Fields Civic Association, which committed to improving and maintaining the space. To do so will require raising money and recruiting volunteers. This is a private-public partnership, which is the most attractive solution for expanding and upgrading the parks because the county has limited funds for maintenance of the parks.
Pension Act
The commissioners rejected a proposal from the county Pension Board regarding pension payments for retired county employees. The Pension Board proposed that any approved cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) be uniformly granted to all benefactors. The commissioners opted to maintain the current protocol, which allows COLA to be granted to selected groups of employees based on their seniority or longevity.
It is important for the county to maintain flexibility with its finances as it adjusts to the changing economic climate and attempts to fund future liabilities. Already, the county is showing signs of struggles with the latter issue.
The county, like many governments, offers a defined benefit pension plan for its employees. A defined benefits program guarantees a retirement income at a set percentage of the employee's pre-retirement compensation, providing a level of income security not available through other plans. The downside is that when the financial markets decline, county and employee contributions to the plan must be increased in order to maintain the same, guaranteed payout to its pension benefactors.
Across the economy, such plans are coming under increased financial pressure as investments underperform, and retirees collect benefits longer than forecast. In some cases, the liability has become unbearable, leading to tax increases or failure to meet commitments. The county needs to evaluate the future of its plan to ensure it is performing its function, and is a fair burden for the taxpayer.
The Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to formally seek feedback from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) on two applications for changes to the county's comprehensive development plan in District 2. Both applications are requesting changes to character areas in the master plan.
One is from a developer for the "Symphony Park" project that proposes to reclassify an area on lower Buford Highway from Commercial Redevelopment Corridor to Town Center. The other is from the property owner on behalf of an undetermined project for the former DeVry University campus on DeKalb Industrial Way.
While this review is required before a land use plan amendment is considered, it in no way commits the county to changing the plan. ARC will analyze the applications and seek feedback from other jurisdictions with vested interests, including the cities of Atlanta for the former and Decatur for the latter. Within 60 days, ARC is expected to submit its recommendations to the BOC, which has the final say on the applications.
Executive Park Development
Final approval was granted for "The Park Druid Hills," a mixed-use development for the space occupied by the current Executive Park office complex (I-85 and North Druid Hills Road). This project incorporates several recommendations from the Quad Area Study conducted in 2007.
Those elements include green space, street boulevards with urban context, traffic calming techniques, and a street network that eventually can connect to other sections of the quad area bisected by North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road. The feedback at public meetings, and through my office, indicated the surrounding neighborhoods were comfortable with the proposed location and density for this project.
The Quad Area study helped us to articulate a vision for the area, which in turn compelled the developers to implement the community's wishes. This project could set a new standard for public space in the district or county.
[The QAS report is available at: http://www.commissionerrader.com/issues/issue33.html]
Green Space Purchase
One of my priorities for 2009 is for DeKalb County to acquire more green space in District Two (for more about my 2009 goals, see: http://www.commissionerrader.com/issues/issue32_files/Rader-Postcard-p1.pdf). In this district, there is inadequate green space relative to the number of communities. The county has roughly $6 million remaining in the 2001 Parks Bond Acquisition Fund for green space purchases in this district.
With the slump in the real estate market, this year could be a prime opportunity to purchase land at bargain prices. To that end, I introduced a motion, approved by my fellow commissioners, authorizing the county to purchase a small parcel of land on Cartecay Drive (30319) known informally as "Clack's Corner."
The purchase resulted from the initiative of its neighborhood, specifically the Brookhaven Fields Civic Association, which committed to improving and maintaining the space. To do so will require raising money and recruiting volunteers. This is a private-public partnership, which is the most attractive solution for expanding and upgrading the parks because the county has limited funds for maintenance of the parks.
Pension Act
The commissioners rejected a proposal from the county Pension Board regarding pension payments for retired county employees. The Pension Board proposed that any approved cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) be uniformly granted to all benefactors. The commissioners opted to maintain the current protocol, which allows COLA to be granted to selected groups of employees based on their seniority or longevity.
It is important for the county to maintain flexibility with its finances as it adjusts to the changing economic climate and attempts to fund future liabilities. Already, the county is showing signs of struggles with the latter issue.
The county, like many governments, offers a defined benefit pension plan for its employees. A defined benefits program guarantees a retirement income at a set percentage of the employee's pre-retirement compensation, providing a level of income security not available through other plans. The downside is that when the financial markets decline, county and employee contributions to the plan must be increased in order to maintain the same, guaranteed payout to its pension benefactors.
Across the economy, such plans are coming under increased financial pressure as investments underperform, and retirees collect benefits longer than forecast. In some cases, the liability has become unbearable, leading to tax increases or failure to meet commitments. The county needs to evaluate the future of its plan to ensure it is performing its function, and is a fair burden for the taxpayer.
(Commissioner Jeff Rader represents District Two on DeKalb County's
Board of Commissioners. He was reelected in November of 2010 for
another four-year term.)
Please encourage your neighbors to sign up for my e-mail updates. Go to my web site, www.commissionerrader.com, and click on the "news signup" link at the bottom.
Please encourage your neighbors to sign up for my e-mail updates. Go to my web site, www.commissionerrader.com, and click on the "news signup" link at the bottom.