Save the trees between the Branches/Dunwoody West and Shops of Dunwoody!
Save the trees between the Branches/Dunwoody West and Shops of Dunwoody!
The Issue
The City of Dunwoody is looking to add The Shops of Dunwoody and the carwash into the zoning plan that was passed last year to guide future redevelopment of Dunwoody Village. As such, there is the danger of losing over 3.5 acres of one of Dunwoody's oldest and largest tree canopies, which, by this plan, can be bulldozed and never again support the vast amount of wildlife, offer environmental protection, or provide sound and light barriers for surrounding neighbors.
On Monday, August 23, 2021 the City Council will hear the first reading of a plan to place The Shops of Dunwoody and the carwash into the Village Overlay plan. While there are many great aspects of this plan, neighbors strongly object to the ability to clear cut an entire forest by reducing the required undisturbed buffer from current 150-200’ to just 35’.
Beyond the 35’ undisturbed buffer, the plan requires an additional 115’ of ‘open space’, giving the developer the option to pick one of five types (see page 44 of the current proposal below). An attorney for the commercial property owner verbally stated that it would “be a park”, but is not specified in writing in the plan. If it is, in fact, going to be used as park space, many neighbors recommend that the park be a natural, wooded trail system park. But this is not required per the written plan.
ACTION NEEDED- Please sign and share this petition and show up to Dunwoody City Council Meeting on Monday, August 23 at 6pm-6:30 at City Hall wearing RED to show your support for your neighbors and our community.
Updates & Media
Please see the current proposal here (Aug 10, 2021 Planning Commission): https://onbase.dunwoodyga.gov:8081/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/Downloadfile/Planning_Commission_2353_Agenda_Packet_8_10_2021_6_00_00_PM.pdf?documentType=5&meetingId=2353&isAttachment=True
_________________________________________________________________________
Previous Updates- (applied to entire Village Overlay)
1. 8/13/20 Update - Despite the Planning Commission's recommendation to reduce the buffer to 130’ of undistributed plus 20’ of ‘transition yard,’ (for a total buffer of 150’, down from the current 150-200’), City staff is now proposing to only maintain a 30’ buffer between these homes and the commercial district. This will result in the loss of acres of trees and wildlife habitats, reduced water and air quality, increased erosion and noise and decreased property values for existing neighborhoods. This is one of Dunwoody's largest and oldest tree canopies and must be protected and maintained. With foresight and advocacy from residents, this buffer has been respected and protected from development for over 40 years. If Dunwoody removes its promise to protect this land, it will be bulldozed, developed and will never again support natural habitat.* Action: The City Council must preserve one of Dunwoody’s largest remaining tree canopies by preserving the undisturbed buffer.
*March 2020 status - Many Branches and four Wynterhall homes have a minimum of undisturbed 150-200’ tree buffer between their properties and Dunwoody Village (Publix, Dog Daycare, etc.). The new plan would only require 75’ between our property lines and a new development. The 75’ that would remain between the properties, would become a "transition yard." In the “transition yard" the developer may clear cut all of the trees and only has to replace a fraction of what they remove. Maintaining an undisturbed buffer is essential for maintaining water and air quality, limiting erosion, and wildlife habitats. Action: The City Council must preserve one of Dunwoody’s largest remaining tree canopies by adopting the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
2. 8/13/20 Update - the current proposal removes the road through DUMC property but adds a cut-through road through Wynterhall. This is unacceptable as it would increase traffic on residential roads, impacts an existing residence, and disturbs the existing tree buffer. Action: If the existing buffer is maintained at at least 150’, then the residents are willing to allow a road instead of a walking path on the westernmost edge of the Village so long as it does not connect to nearby neighborhoods or impede on DUMC property.
*March 2020 status - There is a proposed vehicular road that would run south from the Village, from behind Publix, along church property, connecting to Mt. Vernon. This road would potentially be located 75’ from residential property lines. No traffic studies have been completed for these proposed roads, therefore their impact on the road network and traffic flow in the city has not been evaluated. This poses unsafe conditions for cars turning onto Mt. Vernon, unsafe pedestrian amenities, as well as noise and visual impacts to adjacent homeowners. DUMC does not want cut-through traffic to the village on their property as it poses a danger to their members and visitors. Action: The road closest to the Branches should become a pedestrian path that accommodates families and visitors to the village. The road should not be extended onto church property and the arrows pointing south should be removed from the zoning map.
3. 8/13/20 Update - The southernmost proposed parking deck has been moved one block east, resulting in a slight positive location change, however, the existing tree buffer must be maintained to block all proposed parking decks from view.* Action: The existing buffer should be maintained to block all parking decks from view of surrounding homeowners.
*March 2020 status -There are (2) multi-story parking decks proposed behind the Branches. These could potentially be four stories high and appear even higher with any elevation changes between parcels. Action: The existing buffer should be maintained to block all parking decks from view of surrounding homeowners.
4. *8/13/20 Update - As requested by homeowners, these paths have been removed from the proposed plan and will be addressed upon redevelopment of the properties.* Action: None needed at this time.
*March 2020 status -There are (2) proposed walking paths to provide East/West connectivity from the Branches. While informal paths have existed for years, this plan would request Branches homeowners along the project to allow the City to place an easement on 20’ of their property for a public path. Many of the neighboring lots are barely wide enough to accommodate these paths and once built, they would be very close to neighboring properties.
If you would like these amendments to the Dunwoody plan and zoning, please sign this petition that will be presented to the City Council at their next meeting on August 24th and contact these City Council members:
Lynn Deutsch, Mayor, City of Dunwoody: lynn.deutsch@dunwoodyga.gov
Stacey Harris, City Council Post 4 (District 2 at Large): stacey.harris@dunwoodyga.gov
Joe Seconder, City Council Post 5 (District 2 at Large): joe.seconder@dunwoodyga.gov
Vacant, City Council Post 1 (District 1 Local):, N/A
Jim Riticher, City Council Post 2 (District 2 Local):, jim.riticher@dunwoodyga.gov
Tom Lambert, City Council Post 3 (District 3 Local): tom.lambert@dunwoodyga.gov
John Heneghan, City Council Post 6 (District 3 at Large): john.heneghan@dunwoodyga.gov
The Issue
The City of Dunwoody is looking to add The Shops of Dunwoody and the carwash into the zoning plan that was passed last year to guide future redevelopment of Dunwoody Village. As such, there is the danger of losing over 3.5 acres of one of Dunwoody's oldest and largest tree canopies, which, by this plan, can be bulldozed and never again support the vast amount of wildlife, offer environmental protection, or provide sound and light barriers for surrounding neighbors.
On Monday, August 23, 2021 the City Council will hear the first reading of a plan to place The Shops of Dunwoody and the carwash into the Village Overlay plan. While there are many great aspects of this plan, neighbors strongly object to the ability to clear cut an entire forest by reducing the required undisturbed buffer from current 150-200’ to just 35’.
Beyond the 35’ undisturbed buffer, the plan requires an additional 115’ of ‘open space’, giving the developer the option to pick one of five types (see page 44 of the current proposal below). An attorney for the commercial property owner verbally stated that it would “be a park”, but is not specified in writing in the plan. If it is, in fact, going to be used as park space, many neighbors recommend that the park be a natural, wooded trail system park. But this is not required per the written plan.
ACTION NEEDED- Please sign and share this petition and show up to Dunwoody City Council Meeting on Monday, August 23 at 6pm-6:30 at City Hall wearing RED to show your support for your neighbors and our community.
Updates & Media
Please see the current proposal here (Aug 10, 2021 Planning Commission): https://onbase.dunwoodyga.gov:8081/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/Downloadfile/Planning_Commission_2353_Agenda_Packet_8_10_2021_6_00_00_PM.pdf?documentType=5&meetingId=2353&isAttachment=True
_________________________________________________________________________
Previous Updates- (applied to entire Village Overlay)
1. 8/13/20 Update - Despite the Planning Commission's recommendation to reduce the buffer to 130’ of undistributed plus 20’ of ‘transition yard,’ (for a total buffer of 150’, down from the current 150-200’), City staff is now proposing to only maintain a 30’ buffer between these homes and the commercial district. This will result in the loss of acres of trees and wildlife habitats, reduced water and air quality, increased erosion and noise and decreased property values for existing neighborhoods. This is one of Dunwoody's largest and oldest tree canopies and must be protected and maintained. With foresight and advocacy from residents, this buffer has been respected and protected from development for over 40 years. If Dunwoody removes its promise to protect this land, it will be bulldozed, developed and will never again support natural habitat.* Action: The City Council must preserve one of Dunwoody’s largest remaining tree canopies by preserving the undisturbed buffer.
*March 2020 status - Many Branches and four Wynterhall homes have a minimum of undisturbed 150-200’ tree buffer between their properties and Dunwoody Village (Publix, Dog Daycare, etc.). The new plan would only require 75’ between our property lines and a new development. The 75’ that would remain between the properties, would become a "transition yard." In the “transition yard" the developer may clear cut all of the trees and only has to replace a fraction of what they remove. Maintaining an undisturbed buffer is essential for maintaining water and air quality, limiting erosion, and wildlife habitats. Action: The City Council must preserve one of Dunwoody’s largest remaining tree canopies by adopting the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
2. 8/13/20 Update - the current proposal removes the road through DUMC property but adds a cut-through road through Wynterhall. This is unacceptable as it would increase traffic on residential roads, impacts an existing residence, and disturbs the existing tree buffer. Action: If the existing buffer is maintained at at least 150’, then the residents are willing to allow a road instead of a walking path on the westernmost edge of the Village so long as it does not connect to nearby neighborhoods or impede on DUMC property.
*March 2020 status - There is a proposed vehicular road that would run south from the Village, from behind Publix, along church property, connecting to Mt. Vernon. This road would potentially be located 75’ from residential property lines. No traffic studies have been completed for these proposed roads, therefore their impact on the road network and traffic flow in the city has not been evaluated. This poses unsafe conditions for cars turning onto Mt. Vernon, unsafe pedestrian amenities, as well as noise and visual impacts to adjacent homeowners. DUMC does not want cut-through traffic to the village on their property as it poses a danger to their members and visitors. Action: The road closest to the Branches should become a pedestrian path that accommodates families and visitors to the village. The road should not be extended onto church property and the arrows pointing south should be removed from the zoning map.
3. 8/13/20 Update - The southernmost proposed parking deck has been moved one block east, resulting in a slight positive location change, however, the existing tree buffer must be maintained to block all proposed parking decks from view.* Action: The existing buffer should be maintained to block all parking decks from view of surrounding homeowners.
*March 2020 status -There are (2) multi-story parking decks proposed behind the Branches. These could potentially be four stories high and appear even higher with any elevation changes between parcels. Action: The existing buffer should be maintained to block all parking decks from view of surrounding homeowners.
4. *8/13/20 Update - As requested by homeowners, these paths have been removed from the proposed plan and will be addressed upon redevelopment of the properties.* Action: None needed at this time.
*March 2020 status -There are (2) proposed walking paths to provide East/West connectivity from the Branches. While informal paths have existed for years, this plan would request Branches homeowners along the project to allow the City to place an easement on 20’ of their property for a public path. Many of the neighboring lots are barely wide enough to accommodate these paths and once built, they would be very close to neighboring properties.
If you would like these amendments to the Dunwoody plan and zoning, please sign this petition that will be presented to the City Council at their next meeting on August 24th and contact these City Council members:
Lynn Deutsch, Mayor, City of Dunwoody: lynn.deutsch@dunwoodyga.gov
Stacey Harris, City Council Post 4 (District 2 at Large): stacey.harris@dunwoodyga.gov
Joe Seconder, City Council Post 5 (District 2 at Large): joe.seconder@dunwoodyga.gov
Vacant, City Council Post 1 (District 1 Local):, N/A
Jim Riticher, City Council Post 2 (District 2 Local):, jim.riticher@dunwoodyga.gov
Tom Lambert, City Council Post 3 (District 3 Local): tom.lambert@dunwoodyga.gov
John Heneghan, City Council Post 6 (District 3 at Large): john.heneghan@dunwoodyga.gov
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on February 13, 2020