While much of the 315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue property has changed quite dramatically over the last couple of years, the one holdout has been the Wells Fargo drive-thru that’s long-remained on the eastern elevation of the property, due to a long-standing lease.

Now it sounds like Redstone, the property’s current owner is looking to swap out the banking drive-thru and ATM with a new concept.

A drive-thru juice bar.

On the agenda for the Decatur Planning Commission this month, a request from Redstone for “an exception to the special pedestrian area” to build a drive-thru juice bar in place of the Wells Fargo drive-thru.

Redstone’s note to the Planning Commission states that they plan to reduce the number of drive-thru lanes from four to just the one closest to the building to accommodate the new business.  In exchange for removing three of the four drive-thru lanes, Redstone is requesting 9 new angled parking spaces fronting Ponce de Leon Place.

Redstone’s note to the commission states that the parking space would be buffered by “newly installed landscaping between the sidewalk and asphalt area.”

The proposed plan is going before the Planning Commission because Decatur’s special pedestrian area regulations do not permit parking between a building and the street or “drive through facilities” within the Special Pedestrian Zone, which includes this stretch of Ponce Place.  However, the commission can grant an exception after a public hearing, in consideration of the following standards:

1. The suitability of the proposed exception in view of the use and development of adjacent and nearby property.

2. The effect that the proposed exception will have on the existing use or usability of adjacent or nearby property.

3. The impact that the proposed development will have on the public safety, traffic on the public streets, transportation facilities, utilities and other public services.

4. The impact that the proposed development will have on established property values and on the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the residents of the city.

5. The economic or marketing impact that these guidelines may have on the property owner or developer.

Photos and plan images courtesy of the Decatur Planning Commission agenda materials packet

From the City Schools of Decatur website…

Are you interested in learning more about the proposed general obligation bond, rising enrollment and master plan?

Please join City Schools of Decatur on March 31, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. OR 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Room at the Central Office at Beacon Hill (125 Electric Avenue) for an opportunity to learn more about these important topics.

Which questions would you like answered in this session?

• Beer bill continues to morph; bottle/cans back on the table – sort of [CL]
• Medlock and Mason Mill fight inclusion in LaVista Hills [Decaturish]
• Tiny Doors Atlanta opens new world for miniature art [Atlanta Intown]
• Decatur’s Task Force for Public Health expands its visibility [Saporta Report]
• Beltline Bill passes House [ABC]
• Brookhaven introduces new mascot [Reporter]
• Poem: Mercy – selected by Natasha Trethewey [NYT]

Photo courtesy of Tiny Doors ATL Facebook page

Church Street, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Chris)

The City of Decatur’s Communication Officer Casie Yoder released this statement from the city this afternoon …

The City of Decatur has intentionally created an attractive, accessible and safe environment for public life. This combined with the city’s role as the county seat of DeKalb County means people gather here all the time, whether for a festival, to enjoy the nice weather or to demonstrate about an issue they feel passionately about. We are viewed as the civic heart of the county and this creates the challenge of democracy in Decatur. Over the past few weeks there have been several protests in and around the Square on both public and private property.

“Our police officers have responded appropriately and professionally by instructing participants that they cannot protest on private property without permission from the owner,” stated Mayor Jim Baskett. “They can protest on public sidewalks as long as they do not obstruct others from using the sidewalks and if they want to have a parade they would need to secure a permit. In the future we would hope that if these individuals are interested in making a statement to DeKalb County that they would choose a venue more closely associated with the county that would allow their voices to be heard by those they are trying to reach.”

Decatur is committed to civic space and public discourse. Civic space is a crucial component of any community, including ours. Peaceful gatherings play a valuable role in our society and will continue to be treated with respect by city staff and the Decatur Police Department.

Police Chief Mike Booker confirmed that, “The Decatur Police Department respects and acknowledges the individual right of every person in this country to assemble peaceably in public. Every Decatur officer is trained to respond to protests and protestors respectfully and professionally. This department will continue to uphold the highest standards when balancing protestors’ constitutional rights with the rights of others who may be impacted.”

What the what?  Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne writes in…

Just a reminder that today beginning around noon, students and professors from Georgia Tech will be performing music based on pedestrian and cycling activity recorded by sensors placed around the City of Decatur.  Translating transportation activity into sound and in turn turning it into music is part of the week-long Atlanta Science Fair event.

Performances will take place during lunch and later this afternoon on the bandstand on the square.

Still very confused?  Well, Decaturish had a post about it a day or so ago, so that might help sort you out.

Photo courtesy of Decatur Business Association website

Nancy sends along the announcement…

Woodlands Garden invites you to our 2nd Annual Youth Artist Market. This one-day arts event is for kids in grades 2 – 12 to create and sell their own artwork and crafts. The festival will be held in the meadow at Woodlands Garden on April 25th from 11am – 3pm.
Rain date will be Saturday May 2nd.

Deadline to register is April 3rd. Booth rental is $10 for 10’x10’ space You may share space with a friend. All proceeds go to you, or a good cause of your choice.

Pay online at www.woodlandsgarden.org. Click the donate button and fill out the information fields with payment information. In the comments box at the end, put Youth Artist Market. You can also mail a check to Woodlands Garden, P O Box 27, Decatur GA 30031. Please put YAM on the memo line of your check.