FEBRUARY 2 - 15, 2018 • VOL. 10 — NO. 3
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► Cities asked to join regional affordable housing policy PAGE 4 ► 35-day zoning, building moratorium issued PAGE 22
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Density questioned in new Overlay District rewrite
Watery fun for a dad and his son
BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
A Sunday shower didn’t stop Damon Gabriel and son Theodore, 2, from enjoying playtime in Ashford Park on Jan. 28. “Theo and I love this park and playing in the rain,” said Damon.
Amazon made clear what corporate relocations of NCR, State Farm and others have tipped off to state leaders: The recruitment and retention of high wage corporate employers will follow the tracks of transit. Those counties and municipalities without transit need not apply. CHARLIE HARPER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF POLICYBEST
See COMMENTARY, page 10
Shooting his way to award-winning heights
See STANDOUT STUDENT on page 6
PHIL MOSIER
OUT & ABOUT ‘Dead Man Walking’ author to speak at death penalty panel Page 8
The rewrite of the controversial Brookhaven-Peachtree Overlay District was intended to clear up confusion for developers and calm fears for homeowners living in the area near the Brookhaven/ Oglethorpe MARTA Station. But the City Council member representing those in the area is concerned the new law will allow for much higher density and removes residents’ power to change redevelopments. City officials, however, say the rewrite clarifies density issues and, for the first time, gives them a way to enforce density restrictions. The City Council voted 3-1 at its Jan. 23 meeting to approve the Overlay rewrite, a process that began in June and included public meetings up until a few days before the vote. The original overlay was approved by DeKalb County in 2007. See DENSITY on page 22
Venues challenge city’s new $100K liquor license fees BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
Four local establishments are appealing the city’s decision to deny renewing their alcohol licenses after an ordinance approved late last year raised liquor license fees from approximately $5,000 to $100,000. Rush Lounge, Medusa Restaurant & Lounge, XS Ultra Lounge and Josephine Lounge, all located on Buford Highway, were told in January their liquor licenses would not be renewed for 2018. The reason? Under the revised alcohol See VENUES on page 13