Decatur Heights Neighborhood (Decatur, GA)

Welcome to the Decatur Heights neighborhood

Decatur Heights is a long-standing neighborhood (built up in the 1910s and 1920s) in the NE quadrant of Decatur, GA. In Atlanta parlance, it is ITP (inside the perimeter) because it is inside I-285. It is gradually transitioning toward newer, larger homes, via infill housing. But, anyone living in Decatur Heights, regardless of the age or size of house they live in or whether they own or rent, is welcome and appreciated, as long as they are good neighbors.

The name comes from the fact  Sycamore Drive, the backbone street of the neighborhood (which is nearly level), is built on top of a natural ridge.

This blog addresses matters most interesting to Decatur Heights residents; but it is open to anyone, including those in bordering neighborhoods and perspective home buyers. It is independent of the "Decatur Heights Neighbors Association" but will report on DHNA meetings and sponsorsed activities and post anything requested.

Decatur Heights neighbors discuss neighborhood matters in a Google group.

The neighborhood has an open Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116438878394737/

An aerial view and map showing (roughly) what is considered Decatur Heights are in the continuation. See the DHNA boundaries page linked in the right sidebar to determine if your house is included in DHNA boundaries, which are defined more narrowly.

DECATUR HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD -- City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia (GA) -- decaturheights.com

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers

It's a tough job, which doesn't get the respect and appreciation it deserves.

David Johns, 55, killed in his home at 956 Sycamore Drive

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Johns.

For those reading this who are not familiar with the area, a map is at the end of this post.

If you read or hear anything new, please e-mail dav3kell@gmail.com, including a source link if you have one. Thanks. Sourced information will be added here and you will be given credit (unless you prefer not).

Update 12:14AM Saturday 5/12

It's still in the (re-heated) Atlanta news cycle, but with no new information. WSB (Ch.2) devoted 18 seconds to the story starting 12:07PM, confirming a neighbor report on the Decatur Heights Google group around 2:30PM yesterday of helicopters flying overhead. (Usually we hear that sound well beyond the borders of our calm, peaceful little neighborhood, most typically over downtown Decatur.) Apparently the medical examiner has not yet released an official determination of cause of death and approximate timing. [All we know now is he didn't show up for work Thursday.]

Apparently some don't want Walmart at Suburban Plaza

This was taken Wednesday, 4/25/2012. About a half dozen "STOP WAL-MART" signs can be seen here and there were a half dozen or more signs not far to the south of the intersection on Sycamore Drive. The signs are more sparse further toward Ponce (which is also further from Suburban Plaza, which might be the reason).

[For any reading this who are not familiar with the area, Suburban Plaza starts roughly 1/3 mile in the distance. The Walmart (assuming it's not stopped) will be at the far end of it, roughly 1/2 mile to the north of this intersection. See an aerial view of the area at the end of the article.]

More in the continuation

4/21/2012 Decatur Heights Crime Prevention Mini-Seminar

Deanne arranged a mini-seminar on crime prevention for neighbors in the Decatur Heights neighborhood of Decatur, GA from 10:30 to 11:30 on Saturday, 4/21/2012.

More in the continuation

YDFM plans major expansion

Skyline Views reports Your DeKalb Farmers Market plans to QUADRUPLE in size, to 718 sq. ft.

The Decatur-Avondale Patch shared the above link.

I believe YDFM owns all the land currently covered by trees.

Neighborhood crime prevention mini-seminar Sat 4/21/2012

Posted on the DH Google Group by Deanne:

Note: If you want to visit the links, go to the post at the DH Google Group (linked above), as the above is a static image.

Neighborhood crime, 3/11/2012 to 4/11/2012

Here's the crime which shows up on CrimeReports.com as of 10AM, 4/12/2012

There's also a neighbor report of a vehicle break-in on Pinehurst either the evening of 4/7 or early Easter Sunday morning.

We now have an active neighborhood watch, and the DPD is stepping up monitoring. Non-residents need to know we welcome visitors, but will not hesitate to report anything out of the ordinary to the police.

New stop signs on Sycamore at Grove

The plastic bags have come off the stop signs and advance warning signs on Sycamore at Grove, yesterday or the day before. Drivers seem to be adjusting to them. [I didn't see any vehicle slam on brakes during the few minutes I observed.] These images show what drivers see as they approach the intersection from the North and South:

The small tree in front of the sign on the west side should probably be trimmed some, so the stop sign can be seen more easily.

Those residing near the intersection can better address this, but the stop/start sound made by cars in light afternoon traffic didn't seem that bad. No doubt trucks and school buses will make much more noise, and people rushing to/from work might.

Here's a short video [please pardon the wind noise]:

 

What do you think?  Will this prove effective in further calming Sycamore Drive traffic and making our main street safer?

The intersection should prove profitable to the City in terms of rolling stop tickets. Police can park up Grove and not be seen by drivers. [Just as they do on Pinehurst sometimes now]

 

Possible medians on Sycamore Dr at Grove St

As most reading this know, our neighborhood has, for some time, been pursuing every possible means to make our streets (especially our main street, Sycamore Drive) safer for our neighbors and guests.

Neighbors (led by a DHNA drive) petitioned the City (during 4Q 2010) to consider traffic calming measures at the curve at Sycamore Drive and Grove St.

The City Engineer has developed a possible median design for the neighborhood's consideration. The sketch, an aerial satellite view, and actual street photos of the intersection as it appears now are in the continuation. 

The medians insure passing cars stay in their lanes (which they don't always do now). They also tend to slow down traffic. The resulting traffic lanes are still the regulation 11 feet wide, but they appear more narrow to drivers. The most important objective to most drivers is to not damage their vehicles.

Raised medians also have two negatives:

a) A few will only be able to pull into and out of their drives in one direction.

b) Less on-street parking will be allowed at the dividers and approaching them in both directions.

These obviously weigh more heavily for those directly impacted.

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IS A 3-WAY STOP

Per Deane in a 1/29 Google Group post: "As I shared at the [1/24] meeting, we'll likely go with a stop signs trial first." So, in the comments and on the Google board, we can discuss the two alternatives.

Nothing is in concrete yet (pun half intended). Your input, here and on the neighborhood Google Group (where a discussion topic will be started soon), is encouraged.

To see a similar median design, and the accompanying markings, see the intersection of Commerce and Columbia south of College. (An aerial image is at the bottom of the continuation.)

THIS MAY, OR MAY NOT, EVER BE DONE.  IF IT IS DONE, THE FINAL DESIGN MIGHT BE QUITE DIFFERENT.

The design for consideration is in the continuation, along with aerial and street views.

Looking at some examples of neighborhood group organization

In the 1/24 DHNA meeting, Peggy and Fred suggested we look at two examples of neighborhood organization in Decatur, which are at opposite extremes in terms of formality.

Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (ONA) is very formal.  It has elected officers, registered membership, many standing committees, and an elaborate printed and distributed monthly newsletter. 

The Winnona Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA) is more laid back. It does have a registered membership with nominal dues, but Fred tells us it has a less formal feel. It only has two regular meetings a year. It's by-laws are online.  It has a board, which consists of the officers and the the committee chairpersons. That sounds like a good idea of DHNA, but adds some complexity.

A example near us, but outside the City, is the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association (MANA).   It's incorporated and very structured, with a number of officers and a board.

There are many other examples of neighborhood associations, of course, and I'll be adding others here gradually. If you have some good ones to suggest, please comment with a link.

A distinction can be made between a neighborhood association and a homeowners association, like Sycamore Ridge has, although there is much overlap. DHNA considers all living inside our bounders, be they homeowners or renters, included.

As was stated in the discussion in the 1/24 meeting, it's great when nearby organizations: e.g. Decatur Heights, Sycamore Station, and Sycamore Ridge; can work together and share activities (like neighborhood watch) and events together.