Commission opposes proposed project

During a recent work session Avondale Estates’ commission and a number of residents expressed vigorous opposition to a proposed development just outside city limits, currently called Phoenix Station. The project gets a public airing at the next DeKalb Commission zoning meeting, 6:30 p.m. March 27 at the Manuel Maloof Building at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

Louisville, Ky.-based LDG Development is asking for rezoning to build what it describes as a 244units of “affordable housing” on Kensington Road across from the Kensington Marta Station. The land currently has six homes, with at least one abandoned. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Building, owned by Avondale Estates, is right behind the tract.

LDG’s proposal says the apartments will be “for families with children, individuals and persons with disabilities with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income.”

Avondale commissioners agreed to send, as Commissioner Lionel Laratte said, “a letter ... strongly worded” opposing the project to DeKalb Commissioners.

“We support low-income housing,” Elmore said, “but this is not the right plan or the right location. [DeKalb County’s Liveable Cities Initiative] calls for mixed income and mixed use. This is neither. It’s entirely apartments, there aren’t any amenities and we’ve heard the developer doesn’t have a good track record.”