The DeKalb County Planning Commission met Tuesday night and recommended denial of all the requested rezoning and SLUP requests made by developer Jay Gipson. The property is question is a roughly four acre assemblage at the corner of Clairmont & Briarcliff Roads on which Gipson was proposing to build a new RaceTrac, Wendy's and Express Oil.
The proposal, which was given a full cycle deferral on March 27 by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, will next be heard by the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30 P.M.
The surrounding community has been divided on their hopes for the property. While there was considerable discussion about the potential traffic impacts of the development, there were those who felt the proposed development was the best one could hope for given the location and high cost of the land. Gipson agreed to provide land for a third southbound lane on Clairmont Road, with a right turn onto Briarcliff Road.
Other concerns were the proposed removal of the 50 foot buffer between residential (neighboring Riviera Terrace condos) and commercial areas (the new development), and the placement of the illuminated menu boards and speakers for the Wendy's drive-thru on the side adjacent to Riviera Terrace, with operations until 2 am.
The community seems in agreement that the property as it is now is unattractive and unbecoming of the neighboring communities. What remains unclear, is what the community would be satisfied with being developed on the site, if not the currently proposed tenants.
What are your thoughts on this redevelopment? Do you think the DeKalb Planning Commission is making the right decision in voting for denial of the redevelopment? What do you think would be the best replacement for the current abandoned buildings on the parcel in question?
Please share your thoughts below