Permitted?

Here are the requirements around permissible signage:

So in order for this to be "legal," it must have been permitted by the city:

Is it? Wanna bet?

Kinda Smarmy

So the city decided to throw the code book out the window by installing "art" in the windows of businesses in daVille in clear violation of city code. Now one might say they are following the larger blue trend of rules being "for thee, not for me" except they never enforce any rule that might be an inconvenience to Friends and Family. No consideration for residents whatsoever. At least one elected official justified these violations on the grounds that it served as an opportunity to add some art to the Village [bullshit], support local businesses [the real and only reason] and showcase student talent [really?]. This came up when a resident lodged a complaint which was challenged by the same official who questioned whether they had actually measured the windows [and coverage] or were they just presuming it was in violation? Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. Exactly who is supposed to be doing this measuring? Would that not be the city? Well, it would in any other city but in Dunwoody no rules apply when you're "supporting local businesses." And exactly how many of these businesses are owned by folks who live in Dunwoody? 

Ultimately the Truth Butcher was forced to fess up to the blatant violation and the offending signage was removed. But why is it a constant battle to get this city to do the right thing?

Code Enfarcement

Council Calls This "Enforcement"

Going Out Of Business

No. No. Not the recently opened Pet Emporium. It will do just fine.

Sign Of The Times

What IS out of business is City Hall, particularly code enforcement. Their stop-work-order comes directly from council who is working real hard to craft a brand spanking new overlay ordinance that is better suited to the demands of the business at the expense of residents.

But there is an election coming up and this may be a good time to find out where candidates stand on enforcing laws that support quality of life. 

Family Feud...

...you know, as in "Survey Says." Recently someone at City Taj Mahal kicked off just that. Who exactly did this or pushed for it is unknown, about as unknown as details on who actually completed the survey. Online surveys are built like that. And here is a real shocker: the survey says everyone wants the Village Overlay gutted and they really want the area to look like Canton Street in Roswell. Georgia. Just like the mayor has always waxed poetic about. Now it may be that a lot of respondents actually live in Roswell and like it. Maybe a few folk filled out the survey many, many times. Online surveys are built like that. Now if the City really wants to know what we think there would be a referendum on the upcoming ballot. Don't hold your breath.

So the mayor loves Roswell and yet, doesn't live there. Seems fixable.

Nonetheless there is much this city can learn from our neighbor to the north. First would be signs and code enforcement. Up north, you better get your sign approved, apply that sticker, or you are going to get fined. Hefty fine at that. Oh, and this is not just a do as I say, pretty please, these folks really will come to your home or place of business and write you a citation. They also have traffic enforcement. And not just right on Canton Street, but even in the neighborhoods where people live and kids play. Not only do they enforce truck zones they are notorious for keeping a lid on infractions as minor as rolling thru a stop sign. Don't even think about that illegal u-turn. Oh, and those construction sites and trucks? Thinking about tracking some mud on that city's streets, well, think again. Do that and you are going to get a very large fine. So what happens when ordinances are actually enforced? People obey the law. And the city is a nicer place.

So maybe instead of taking dictation from developers who insist on reworking the overlay to look like Canton Street maybe the mayor and council could focus on the important things that actually make a real city. If they focused on that then perhaps what follows wouldn't be just superficial appearances.

Found Art Foundry

Dunwoody has long been known for its Arts Festival where folks can wander about and get information on kitchen remodeling, window replacement and home equity loans to pay for it all. Now a group of residents have caught the art bug and have formed a non-profit to encourage the collection, curation and presentation of "Found Art" in public spaces. The head and co-founder of Dunwoody's Found Art Foundry, Steve Butterworth could hardly contain his excitement saying "we're bringing out art previously rejected as unwanted imbuing the community with a uniform sensitivity for these previously unwanted artists and their art." His partner and co-founder, Ruddy Kalman added "all too often we filter out the extraordinary beauty of our environment and what we hope is for the community to open themselves to new art that offers a more universal guidance, helping us navigate the complexities of modern life."

So what is the Found Art Foundry? Well it is an increasingly cohesive amalgam of local activists and artists who have joined together to use readily available materials "found" in the public domain to create art for public display. As Ruddy describes it "we're taking public eyesores, creating compelling art and returning this to public spaces."

Sounds like a win-win-win. Here is how it works. Artists, along with a growing group of volunteer helpers, routinely scour the city collecting illegally displayed signs. These signs are then used to compose an artistic collage--writ large--again for all to see. You may already have noticed the positive community impact with the removal of illegal signage of all shapes, types and forms: from not-yet-open businesses to flamboyant (and flagrant) booster groups but what you cannot yet see is the work going on to transform these eyesores into soaring works of art.

We can hardly wait. 

Hickory House Returns

Well not exactly, but BBQ is on the way back to the village. And it would appear that the bank that took over the Olde Hickory House location is folding its tent and moving out. Or so one must conclude from the sign being located on that bank's property.

Illegal Seven Ways To Sunday

The sign is clearly in violation of Dunwoody's Ordinances, specifically Section 20-67 regarding temporary signs like the one above. And what does that section say? Glad you asked.

Key elements of the ordinance include:

• "(2) Each board must be located within ten feet of a pedestrian entrance of the sponsor of the board;"
• "(3) Such a board may be utilized only during the hours of operation of the store or entity using it and shall be removed during the hours it is closed.

This sign is located nowhere near any pedestrian entrance to any business let alone within ten feet. Then the sign condemns itself indicating that the business is not yet in operation so therefore "shall be removed" because the business is closed.

Looks pretty bad, doesn't it? Like someone is planning to lower the average IQ in this Smart City of ours. Or, could it be something else? Perhaps this is less illiteracy, ignorance and arrogance and simply a game of "follow the leader." As it happens, at the very same time, the City of Dunwoody put out their illegal sign.

A Blatant Violation Of City Code

To make it even better, the City's illegal sign was to advertise a meeting to go over proposed changes to the Village Overlay. At this point it is worth noting that the sign ordinance the City has violated is not specific to the Village Overlay but applies equally throughout the City.

Rumor has it that a mere citizen pointed out the illegality of this sign as it was being placed and was later informed by a member of council that said council member "disagreed." Can said member NOT read? Or is it a comprehension problem? Or is it simply a capability issue? Regardless, the law is in clear, plain language and anyone who cannot read and understand that ordinance and see that these signs are in clear violation has no place at City Hall. 

Circus In Village Overlay District

And the ever-present, cold-sore that just will not go away:

And why does the City seem hell-bent on giving Memorial Drive a run for their money as "armpit of the city?" It is by order of the Councilor "representing" this area.

New Day, Same Stuff

Pamela Miller at the AJC tells us that the Smart City is filling the recently vacated community development director position. Before you start thinking "well, it IS so bad it can only get better," take a look at what Pamela has to say.

"In his new position, McLeod will help implement the Comprehensive Plan that was adopted by City Council on Oct 12, 2015, as well as the Perimeter Center Zoning Code draft adopted May 22."

The City certainly needs help implementing almost any plan especially plans that might improve quality of life in daVille. One that has been neglected for over a year should top anyone's list.

Pamela adds:

"The city of Dunwoody's Community Development Department is responsible for managing the planning and zoning functions of the city as well as development regulation, code compliance and sustainability programs. "

Don't hold your breath on the "code compliance" part of the job description in the Village Overlay District. Especially as code enforcement is under attack by at least one council member more beholden to business than the voters. For now. 

Where Angels Fear To Tread

The courts will rush in.

Apparently someone has decided that a key battlefield in the war of gender equality is the right to bare one's breasts in public and the AJC reports that these folks are making a Federal Case out of the matter. As the reporter notes many of Georgia's local busybodies have laws prohibiting such actions. For women. And only women. This would include the self-proclaimed Smart City--we never said we were non-discriminatory.  To wit:

Sec. 24-4. - Public indecency.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to perform any of the following acts in a public place:

(1)

Simulated acts of sexual intercourse;

(2)

An exposure of one's genitals, or of one's breasts, if female, except in a place designed for same.

So maybe it is time to set aside the DHA vs City pissing contest and have the DHA Board craft a new, constitutional ordinance for the City to pass.

Weird Al Is In Town

Because we're tacky...

Weird as he may be Weird Al has nothing on daVille. At least when it comes to tacky.

Subway says "I'm with Stupid"

In the wake of the staked out tacky sign we now have its tacky offspring. It would appear there is only one way to keep lovely downtown Dunwoody from challenging Memorial Drive for the title of "armpit of the state," and that is to have these folks take their signs with them when they leave.

Somehow they have yet to realize you can buy a pretty good sandwich at Publix. Want to kick it up a notch? Shroom on across the street for a righteous hoagie. And how many choices do you have for a burger? Exactly.

If you need your locks chopped there are two Olde School shops a short walk away. And if you need a stylin' you can coif your doo at your choice of real shops. You know--where you'll stand a chance of getting your hair done by the same person two times in a row instead of hack job du jour based on notes someone entered into their computer.

So it looks like the responsibility for cleaning daVille rests solely on your shoulders. You need to vote with your dollars because it is the only vote that counts.

Does Zoning Really Matter?

First, you have to give the bloke props for persistence. And he does have some respect, at least for his own property--"no pets."

Respect for zoning seems to be a distant and elusive concept.

But is it really [all] their fault?

Maybe not. Ordinances in daVille are "enforce on complaint" which does little to foster a culture of respect for the rules of the burg. But there is more. This is the same property that parked a barn right up against the back property line well within the setback buffer just outside a neighbor's garage. *

The City's response?

After-the-fact approval of the zoning violation.

Is operating multi-family rentals just a continuation of the same thinking? Are there connections in play? Is this yet another business the Mayor gladly welcomes to daVille? Or is it just one of the many commitments that were made to justify the founding of this City that remains unmet and ignored? Or is this what you get when your approach to code enforcement is "grease only the squeakiest wheel?"

When we teach people that rules are hardly even a suggestion we should not be surprised when they conclude that the only rule is there are no rules.




* To be fair, the owner does have the right to put an accessory building on the property and the non-compliant location made the barn least visible from the adjacent homeowner's deck. 

Good Renters Are Hard To Find

You would think that an advert right on Chamblee Dunwoody Road would bring in a lot of renters so you'd not see this sign often or for long.

You might also think it would attract the attention of someone at City Hall, perhaps someone in code enforcement. You would be wrong. Since this is not the first time this basement rental has appeared on the market there must be some special part of our zoning or a special dispensation from Smart City Hall.