LaVista Road Greenspace Design Charrette Briefing Book March 14, 2012

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1 LaVista Road Greenspace Design Charrette Briefing Book March 14, 2012 Source: Sandt Source: Atlanta Regional Commission Source: Atlanta Regional Commission Mack Love Building at Mason Mill 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur GA Data and Facilitation provided by Atlanta Regional Commission Graphics and Site Design provided by PondEcos Special Thanks to DeKalb County and the Neighbors of the

2 Context Georgia Conservancy Blueprints The First Suburb Landscape The LaVista communities fall within what is now recognized as a unique urban category often called first suburbs. This refers to early suburban developments just before and after World War II which have similar physical characteristics and have developed several common socio-economic attributes in the ensuing decades The LaVista communities exhibit many of the trends found in first suburbs across the nation, including a) There are large areas of aging housing stock, with streets often laid out in distinct cul-de-sac neighborhoods but still physically linked to their center cities. b) Today home to over 20% of the U.S. population, these areas have become more diverse than the U.S. population as a whole with growing elderly, non-white, foreign born and poor residents, while still retaining their core of well-educated and well-off traditional families. This is only partly true in the LaVista area where the elderly population is increasing but the non-white foreign born or lower income populations are not. c) Enjoying excellent location and still generally viable infrastructure, these areas nevertheless seem to fall through the cracks in terms of effective plans and policies from their local, state and federal goverents. LaVista Areas Least Suitable for Development Map from the Blueprints LaVista Study by the Georgia Conservancy (2006) 2 LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK

3 While adhering to the above trends in general, the LaVista communities have some unique characteristics that should be taken into account, including a) While these communities have indeed diversified in recent years, most residents still exhibit a strong neighborhood identity and loyalty and often refer to a clear sense of place in their neighborhoods. b) Despite the recent development of larger scale and higher density residential infill along the LaVista Road corridor, the neighborhood retains a remarkable homogeneity of one-story single family houses on mid-sized lots in a mature woody setting with surprisingly large areas of enviroental integrity and sensitivity. c) While most DeKalb County east-west corridors have been widened in an effort to accommodate greatly increased traffic volumes, and commercial sprawl, LaVista Road has largely retained its two lane residential character. d) With two major shopping centers at either end of the corridor, neighborhood commercial areas, while retaining their small scale, have had trouble remaining viable. This has resulted in redevelopment pressure along the corridor being residential rather than commercial. The LaVista communities could be summarized, therefore, as urban neighborhoods in terms of social diversity and services, while located in a distinctly suburban landscape. Excerpt from LaVista: A First Suburb Reconnected by the Georgia Conservancy Blueprints for Successful Communities (Spring 2006) Arbor Montessori School Mt. Zion Community Research Project Students of the Arbor Montessori School on LaVista Road researched the history of the area around and including the greenspace site. Using resources from the DeKalb History Center and oral history interviews with long-time residents, the students identified some interesting facts about the community. MT. ZION COMMUNITY The Mt. Zion community was settled in the 1800 s, and a small African-American enclave formed on the northeast side of La Vista Road. In the years after the Civil War and emancipation, families aimed to survive, and the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, started in 1870, acted as a cohesive unit for the neighborhood. Despite the fact that many people left Georgia for better opportunities, the hardships unified the community. LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK 3

4 The Mt. Zion Community transformed drastically during the 20 th Century. Many family farms were sold and subdivided for individual residences during the height of suburban development. In the 1940 s and 1950 s, a large amount of residents left the neighborhood, and many residents left in the 1980 s and 1990 s as well. Condominiums and cul-de-sacs covered the neighborhood, and as many residents left the neighborhood, others moved into the new development. However, many long-time residents wanted to preserve their land from development to maintain the area s cultural heritage. Because descendants of the original residents still live in the community and retained their large tracts of land, the cultural heritage preservation has been successful. Additionally, the Mt. Zion and St. Paul Baptist Church congregations provide an outlet for unity and support for many of the residents. Excerpt from the Arbor Montessori School Mt. Zion Community Research Project (2011) Population The walkable radious around the LaVista Road Greenspace was analyzed for population characteristics. The boundaries include 1/4 mile radius from park 1/2 mile radius from park 1 mile radius from park The 2010 total population within 1/4 mile radius is 4,192 people (1,893 households). The 2010 total population within 1/2 mile radius is 6,964 people (3,013 households). The 2010 total population within 1 mile radius is 17,891 people (8,328 households). Total population for DeKalb County in 2010 is 691,893 people. Source: Atlanta Regional Commission 4 LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK

5 Site Boundary Source: DeKalb County LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK 5

6 Existing Greenspace This map identifies existing greenspace properties within 3 miles of the LaVista Road Greenspace. Buford Dr Keswick Dr New Peachtree Rd Georgian Hills Skyland Dresden I-85 Access Rd NE McDaniel Mcclave Dr I-85 Access Rd Dresden Dr Mary Scott Nature Presidential Pkwy I-85 Exwy Mercer University Dr I-285 Exwy NE Lynnray Dr Chamblee Tucker Rd Tipperary Trl Moon St I-85 Northlake Pkwy I-85 Exwy NE Lavista Rd I-85 Ramp Fairoaks Rd Coralwood Dr Riderwood Dr Roman Ct LaVista Lavista Rd NE W.D. Thompson Clairmont Rd NE Nelms Dr N Druid Hills Rd Montreal Hwy 78 Williams St Mason Mill Rd Michael St NE Lakeshore Dr NE N Decatur Rd NE College Ave NE W College Ave Scott Blvd 6 LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK Clairmont Rd Mason Mill Ira Melton Willivee Dr Princeton Woodlands Medlock Waddell E Pharr Rd Dekalb Industrial Way Washington Clarendon Ave E Ponce De Leon Ave Hamilton Rd Wynn Dr Memorial Dr Mountain Dr Covington Dr N Decatur Rd Dennis Dr George Luther Dr Elder Ln Norman Rd Elmscourt Dr Source: Atlanta Regional Commission Seven Hills Trl Ruth Pl

7 Existing Greenspace The table identifies name, location, amenities and acreage of parks within a 3 mile radius of the LaVista Road Greenspace. s within a 3-mile Radius of Green Space Name Location Amenities Acres Princeton Decatur Part of a residential subdvision 2.25 Skyland Chamblee LaVista Atlanta Playground + Picnic Area 3.63 McDaniel Atlanta Multi-Use Field, Playround, Multi-Use Court, Picnic Area, Trails, + Picnic Area Montreal Clarkston Multi-Use Field, Playround, Picnic Area, Trails, + Picnic Area 9.33 Needham Clarkston 2.77 Georgian Hills Chamblee Baseball, Multi-Use Field, Multi-use Court, Basketball Court, Playground, + Picnic Area 7 Waddell Decatur 0.54 Dresden Atlanta Baseball, Softball, Multi-use Field, Playground, Picnic Area, + Trails Fisher Trail Chamblee 1.49 Woodlands Decatur 6.64 side Circle Decatur 1.82 W.D. Thompson Atlanta Multi-Use Field, Basketball Court, Tennis Courts, Playground Area, + Picnic Area Washington Decatur 1.16 Emory Grove Decatur 1.58 Mason Mill Decatur Multi-use Field, Tennis Courts, Recreation Center, Picnic Area, Lake, + Trails Ira Melton Decatur Part of Mason Mill Medlock Decatur Baseball and Softball Fields, Multi-Use Field, Multi-Use Court, Playground, + Picnic 39 Area Mary Scott Nature Atlanta Play Area, Nature Trail, Homestead 10.6 **Information on amenities for all sites was not readily available LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK 7

8 School Properties This map identifies existing school properties within 3 miles of the LaVista Road Greenspace. Kingsboro Rd NE Canter Rd NE E Brookhaven Dr NE I-85 NE Wildwood Rd NE Hurt St NE I-85 Ramp Lavista Rd NE Donaldson Dr NE Mason Mill Rd Michael St NE Lakeshore Dr NE Buford Dr Keswick Dr New Peachtree Rd N Decatur Rd NE College Ave NE I-85 I-85 Exwy NE Clairmont Rd Pierce Dr Clairmont Rd NE W College Ave Boulevard Dr SE I-85 Access Rd NE Willivee Dr Irvindale Way Scott Blvd I-85 Access Rd Fairoaks Rd Mcclave Dr Shallowford Rd Coralwood Dr E Pharr Rd Dresden Dr N Druid Hills Rd Dekalb Industrial Way Wilton Ave Stewart Rd Mercer University Dr Presidential Pkwy Coralwood Educational Center Nelms Dr Riderwood Dr Arbor Montessori Lavista Rd Clarendon Ave I-85 Exwy E Ponce De Leon Ave Hamilton Rd Wynn Dr Memorial Dr Mountain Dr Covington Dr I-285 Exwy NE Pleasantdale Rd Northlake Pkwy Maryvale Dr Hwy 78 N Decatur Rd Dennis Dr George Luther Dr Lynnray Dr Chamblee Tucker Rd Elder Ln Moon St Menlo Dr Tipperary Trl Roman Ct Stone Mountain Fwy Williams St Norman Rd Ruth Pl Yuma Dr Bontura Ct Elmscourt Dr Source: Atlanta Regional Commission Susan Creek Dr Tahoe Cir Seven Hills Trl Phylis Pl Flat Shoals Ave SE 8 LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK

9 School Properties The table identifies name, location, and playground amenities of schools within a 3 mile radius of the LaVista Road Greenspace. Schools within a 3-Mile Radius of Green Space Name Location Playground Elementary Schools Clairemont Elementary School Decatur Yes Medlock Elementary School Decatur Children's Garden McLendon Elementary School Decatur Unknown Briar Vista Elementary School Atlanta Unknown Laurel Ridge Elementary School Decatur Yes Oak Grove Elementary School Atlanta Yes Briarlake Elementary School Decatur Unknown Woodward Elementary School Atlanta Unknown Montclair Elementary School Atlanta Unknown Henderson Mill Elementary School Atlanta Yes Hawthorne Elementary School Atlanta Yes Dresden Elementary School Chamblee Yes Heritage Preparatory School of GA Atlanta Yes Kittredge Magnet Elementary School Atlanta Unknown Sagamore Hills Elementary School Atlanta Yes Torah Day School of Atlanta Atlanta Yes Middle Schools Druid Hills Middle School Decatur Sports Fields High Schools Lakeside High School Atlanta Sports Fields Open Campus High School (Briarcliff HS?) Atlanta Sports Fields Druid Hills High School Atlanta Sports Fields Temima High School for Girls Atlanta Margaret Harris Special Education High School Atlanta Sports Fields Benjamin Franklin Academy Atlanta No St. Pius X Catholic School Atlanta Sports Fields Other Intown Community School Atlanta Unknown Arbor Montessori School Decatur No DeVry University Decatur No Cliff Valley School Decatur Yes Decatur Montessori School Decatur No Heritage Educational Center Atlanta Yes Immaculate Heart of Mary Atlanta Unknown Coralwood Education Center Decatur Yes LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK 9

10 Adjacent Land Use The DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan (2007) identifies priorities for the development of this area. It is located in a Neighborhood Center identified as Oak Grove. The intent of the Neighborhood Center Character Area is to identify areas that can serve the local neighborhood s needs for goods and services. These areas should complement the character of neighborhoods and the location of the commercial areas should reduce automobile travel, promote walkability and increased transit usage. These areas consist of a neighborhood focal point with a concentration of activities such as general retail, neighborhood commercial, professional office, higher-density housing, and appropriate public and open space uses that are easily accessible by pedestrians. Greenspace Site Medium Density Residential Multi Family Residential Commercial Institutional Photos of Neighborhood Centers from the DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan Community Agenda 10 LAVISTA ROAD GREENSPACE DESIGN CHARRETTE BRIEFING BOOK