Tucker Today

Serving the community of Tucker, Georgia

Strategic Plan Community Meeting, Feb 5, 2004

The following topics were discussed at the Meeting for Community Input on Proposed Revisions to the Tucker Neighborhood Strategic Plan, held February 5, 2004 at the Tucker Recreation Center and hosted by the Proactive Planning Committee of Tucker Civic Association.*

Meeting for Community Input on Proposed Revisions to the Tucker Neighborhood Strategic Plan

Wynn Teale gave a brief overview of the history of the Tucker Strategic Plan. Cynthia Moe and John Trent presented a summary of the highlights of the Proposed Revisions to the Strategic Plan. She also commented on TCA in general and the goals of the organization. When the floor was opened to the public for comment, questions were also answered by committee members Paul Ellingson and Charles Watson as the following issues were raised by the community participants:

  • Concern about low cost hotels near I-285 at LaVista Road and Lawrenceville Highway which attract unsavory characters and lead to criminal activity affecting the adjacent neighborhoods.
  • Concern about contamination of ground water due to unethical waste disposal in the Rosser Terrace/Peters Park area.
  • Concern that posting signs with the date and time of community meetings increases the chance of criminal activity in the Tucker area during the time of the meeting when homeowners may be away from home.
  • Discussion of Overlay Districts and how they work including whether color of building, signage, architecture and other design features or restrictions are covered.
  • Discussion of the Burns Property, potential future site of Walgreen's, and the TCA Zoning Committee's efforts to work with DeKalb County and the developers for a solution that benefits Tucker and the Downtown area.
  • Discussion of the proposed rail line linking Atlanta and Athens including any stops planned for the Tucker area.
  • Request for help in establishing a need for sidewalks along Henderson Road in the Henderson Park area and an overall need for additional sidewalks in much of the Tucker community. This precipitated a discussion of ways to contact County Commissioners and other officials who may be able to ensure that funds raised from our community would be used locally. Additionally, concerns were raised about how to assure security for the park in general.
  • It was suggested that TCA establish a Committee on Activism to assist citizens and to mobilize the community with calling/letter writing campaigns when issues arise.
  • A request was made that TCA list names and contact information for local commissioners and county officials on the website. While much of this information is already available on the TCA website, TCA encourages the recommendation of pertinent links by community members.
  • A request was made that 'template' letters be made available on the website for those who wish to write to an official regarding an issue that TCA is promoting.
  • A request was made that the minutes of the board and membership meetings of TCA be posted on the website.
  • There was discussion of the fact that unlike Decatur, Tucker is not a city and has no authority on its own. A major area of concern was in law enforcement. There were suggestions that the community should pursue a ballot initiative to make Tucker a City.
  • Several individuals spoke to promote their projects. Janet from the Tucker Times requested information on stories/features from the Tucker area to include in the publication. Tom Ferris who works with DeKalb County Homeland Security requested volunteers to help that organization.

* These comments are representative of the topics covered at the meeting. If there was another topic discussed that you would like added to the list, please e-mail TCA with the request.