Cities, county approve hazard mitigation plan

The Clayton County Multi-Jurisdictional hazard Mitigation Planning Committee and stakeholders formed by the governmental consensus of the county and cities of Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lake City, Lovejoy, Morrow and Riverdale. These cities comprise all incorporated jurisdictions in Clayton County except College Park. As a member of the national Flood Insurance Program, Clayton County approved a plan to serve as a framework and resource guide to coordinate and implement hazard mitigation policies, procedures and projects. The goal is to reduce risk and eliminate or minimize losses from natural and technological hazard events. Once the draft HMP is approved FEMA requires all jurisdictions participating in the plan to adopt the final HMP. Clayton County will hold a public hearing 6 p.m. June 20 at the Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters, 7810 Ga. Highway 85, Riverdale.

Information: Ryan Morrison, 770-477-3510, ryan.morrison@ ccfes.org, Clayton County Emergency Management Agency, or Sharon Armstrong, HMP Consulting Hazard Mitigation planner, 615-934-7833, razorback@ plansandmorellp.com

The agreement spells out terms for rezoning and developing three parcels totaling about 135 acres along Veterans Parkway and Hood Avenue for residential and mixed use. Some of the changes pertained to setbacks, dwelling unit sizes and fire code standards. Mayor Ed Johnson thanked all the parties involved for their “patience and understanding” in working together to finalize the terms. with a required match of 10 percent. The city said the trucks were produced and delivered by Sutphen Corp. and include:

■ engine/pumper, $442,843. The vehicle’s platform is elevated and it has center mount controls allowing firefighters to see an incident from either side of the apparatus.

■ air-light unit, $211,920. Among other features, it allows oxygen bottles to be refilled on scene instead of having to return to the station to do so.

■ rescue unit, $127,236. The city said the vehicle allows for specialized response in emergency situations, including allweather tactical rescues.

The purchases came to $781,999; the city said the remaining $501 will be used to install required heat resistant decals and inventory plates.

Hotel site cleared, but timetable still unknown

The site on Clairemont Avenue next to Decatur’s Courtyard Marriott has been cleared in the past week and awaits construction of a new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton. There is still no word from Chattanooga-based Vision Hospitality about when work will begin.

In May 2016, Vision announced the hotel would open this spring.

Decatur Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne said she’s uncertain about what’s caused the delay. But she said that Vision does have a site disturbance permit and 17 trees were moved to nearby Glenlake Park.

The six-story, 87,000-square foot Hampton will have 145 rooms according to the latest information. Vision Hospitality owns and manages 32 hotels in five states including two in Kennesaw, with one under construction in downtown Atlanta across from the Georgia Aquarium.

This will be Decatur’s first new hotel since construction of the Holiday Inn (now the 180-room Marriott) in the late 1980s. The additional hotel, according to Menne, allows the city to host large regional conferences that it couldn’t handle with only one major hotel.