Kim writes in…

This little guy was found running down the road in Decatur. Please call Kim Adair at 770-335-1852 if you know where he belongs.

This press release just came in this afternoon…

More than 85,000 lovers of all things literature poured into downtown Decatur over Labor Day weekend for the 2013 AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF), the eighth version of the largest independent book festival in the country.

More than 500 authors packed 18 stages, families enjoyed two children’s parades, and art | DBF, an arts and culture showcase featuring nearly 50 Atlanta organizations, made its much anticipated debut. Not to mention it all got started with a keynote address by civil rights icon and Georgia congressman, John Lewis, just two days after the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

AJC DBF program director, Philip Rafshoon, in his first year as PD, certainly put his stamp on the festival.

“The 2013 AJC Decatur Book Festival was an amazing success and broke all attendance records. From the moment that our Writer’s Conference kicked off on Friday, through the Keynote and Kidnote Addresses on Friday night, through hundreds of readings, signings, performances, and parties all weekend, this was a truly exceptional festival,” said Rafshoon. “Thanks to the one thousand volunteers, more than 500 authors, our phenomenal speaker managers, and the entire community for making the largest independent book festival in the country better than ever.”

AJC DBF executive director and co-founder, Daren Wang, said he continues to be amazed by what his team and the Decatur community are capable of.

“2013 was a huge leap forward for the AJC DBF. With the best lineup of authors, the biggest crowds, the most venues, and a vibrant new arts component, we bit off more than we could chew, and went ahead and chewed it anyway,” said Wang. “As usual the army of volunteers that make the AJC DBF tick did the city of Decatur proud. And I’m especially grateful to all of our sponsors this year for allowing us to dream big and then make it happen. It was the best year yet, and we’re still only just getting started.”

Last week, Thomas sent in this photo of a Public Hearing sign on the vacant Hillyer Place property and basically asked “what’s up?”.

Here’s the answer.

The City’s Planning Director Amanda Thompson tells DM that 24 townhomes are being designed and built on the site.  Here are a few details on the project.

• 24 townhome units. Three story with drive under garages
• 25’ minimum townhome setback from the R-60 (there is a small, open air garden shed within the 25’ setback).
• Guest parking next to the smaller units within the 25’ setback.
• There is an evergreen tree buffer along the R-60 property.
• The front building along E Howard will be designed as live/work.
• 6’ sidewalks will be installed along the street frontage.

Ms. Thompson also sent along this drawn plan… (PDF version HERE)

Additionally, according to Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne, “The developer has worked closely with surrounding neighbors and gotten their support for this proposal.”