APR. 15 - APR. 28, 2016 • VOL. 7 — NO. 8
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► New ‘Perimeter Park’ remains on drawing board PAGE 11 ► Blacksmith teaches kids an old art PAGE 15
Shaping clay and making conversation
DO MY FINGERS LOOK FAT? | P9
Planning Commission: Crown Towers development needs 75 percent owner occupancy BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER
Above, John Wilcox chats with Kristen Williams during the Spruill Arts Center’s Pottery Sale and Ceramics Studio Tour on April 12. At left, Jill Hubbeard shapes a bowl on a potter’s wheel.
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATOR Lovett School’s winning bandleader Page 16
“[I’m] sad to see the Braves move out of Atlanta, but excited to see a brand-new stadium and Braves experience.” 23-YEAR-OLD ATLANTA WOMAN RESPONDING TO OUR 1Q SURVEY ON THE BRAVES’ LAST SEASON AT TURNER FIELD
See COMMENTARY on page 10
OUT & ABOUT ‘Monarchs & Margaritas’ Page 18
The Dunwoody Planning Commission has voted to recommend the proposed Crown Towers development be approved by the City Council, but only if three-quarters of the condominium units are owner-occupied, rather than the 50 percent desired by the developer. The Planning Commission’s decision follows a Dunwoody Homeowners Association vote on April 10 to support the project, but only if 75 percent of the units are owner-occupied condos. City staff members have recommended the proposed 380 units be 90 percent owner occupied. “So it’s not what we wanted, but 75 percent is better than 90 percent,” said developer Charlie Brown after the April 12 Planning Commission meeting. “We hope by the time it gets to the council it will be more of what we are looking for.” The City Council will consider the project at its April 25 meeting. Attorney Doug Dillard told Planning Commission members that developers are seeking to offer half the units for sale at the beginning, with the understanding that percentage jumps to 75 percent within five years. “It’s very difficult to get financing for condos these days. We’ve had 16 banks talk to us … and they can’t finance at 90 percent owner-occupancy,” Dillard said. Dillard said the proposed development provides less density than the amount allowed by current zoning on the property. That means less traffic, he said. Planning Commission Vice Chair Heyward Scott has said he supports this kind of density in the Perimeter area especially because of the several MARTA See PLANNING on page 14