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Two DeKalb County neighborhoods are petitioning to be annexed into Brookhaven, a city of 58,000 in North DeKalb that has steadily grown since its 2012 inception.

A concerted effort began in 2022 with grassroots canvassing at shops and intersections in Toco Hills, then a door-to-door campaign for signatures.

A petition for the annexation of Merry Hills and Biltmore Acres was filed on May 30, showing 64% of the area’s 1,390 active voters and 62% of landowners are in favor of the move.

If approved, the annexation would be the largest annexation by the 60% method in Georgia’s history.

The state of Georgia requires a written petition signed by at least 60% of the owners of the land area (by acreage) and at least 60% of the resident electors in the area proposed for annexation.

Bounded by North Druid Hills Road, Houston Mill Road and Lavista Road, the 462-acred area is mainly residential with some mixed-use, office, and commercial properties, including the busy Toco Hill Shopping Center.

The neighborhoods are part of the area known as North Druid Hills, but most residents colloquially call the neighborhoods around the shopping center Toco Hills.

The application for annexation is being reviewed by DeKalb County commissioners, and Brookhaven is planning to vote on the matter on July 25.

DeKalb County commissioners will hold a public meeting on June 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Central DeKalb Senior Center, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033. Brookhaven City Council will hold two public meetings on June 28 at 6:30 p.m. and July 25 at 7 p.m. at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road.

Brookhaven City Council typically meets on Tuesdays, but the next meeting is Wednesday, June 28, due to a conference with the Georgia Municipal Association.

The annexation could have considerable implications for the community, DeKalb Commissioner Michelle Long Spears wrote in a recent newsletter. She encouraged participation at public meetings.

If it passes, Brookhaven will establish a special tax district to fund improvements in services like sidewalks and stormwater to the annexed areas. Brookhaven’s most recent annexation was Lavista Park in December 2019.

In related news:

Brookhaven Planning Commission voted June 15 to recommend an amendment to a zoning ordinance. City staff is proposing ANX zoning classification to apply to newly annexed land. It’s a zoning code that prevents buying annexed property and immediately changing zoning.

“If someone buys a house and tears it down, we’re going to apply the standards in DeKalb County’s ordinance on setbacks or height limits – any rule DeKalb County currently has on that zoning classification. The new owner can’t change the zoning classification,” Linda Abaray, Brookhaven Director of Community Development, said.

The zoning code is a placeholder for annexed properties for up to two years to ensure the land uses are studied and folded into the city properly, Abaray said. ANX zoning would apply to future annexations.

City Attorney Jeremy Berry said the ordinance is a comprehensive approach on how to annex property while being transparent with the public, the county and potential annexation applicants.

The amendment will come before City Council on June 28.

This story has been updated.

Tagged: annexationbrookhaven reporterDeKalb CountyordinanceToco Hillszoning

Atlanta, GA — Andy’s Frozen Custard is making its Toco Hills debut on April 26.

It will be located at 3033 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, according to Google Maps. It will be open from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“In celebration of its newest location, Andy’s Frozen Custard will be having a Soft Opening event on Wednesday, April 26,” the press release says. “Fans that download the Andy’s App before April 26 will receive a Free Treat reward in the app on Opening Day to celebrate! A Grand Opening Ceremony will follow in May with an official ribbon cutting event and games and giveaways on the patio that evening. Save the date to join in on the Andy’s fun!”

Here’s the full press release about the opening:

Toco Hills, GA – April 19th, 2023 – Toco Hills is giving ice cream the cold shoulder, as it welcomes the old-fashioned dessert shop that is rocking the nation! Andy’s Frozen Custard® will be serving Toco Hills, Georgia the first scoop of its famous frozen custard on Wednesday, April 26th.

Andy’s has a wide variety of treats based on their Made Fresh Hourly™ frozen custard. Enjoy rich, creamy flavor in every bite. Choose between vanilla or chocolate frozen custard, and have it transformed into delicious Concretes, Jackhammers™, shakes, malts, sundaes, and seasonal treats. Favorites include the James Brownie Funky Jackhammer™, made with Andy’s vanilla frozen custard, peanut butter and baked in-store brownies, “drilled and filled” with hot fudge; and the Triple Chocolate Concrete, made with Andy’s chocolate frozen custard, chocolate chip cookie dough, and melted chocolate chip.

In celebration of its newest location, Andy’s Frozen Custard will be having a Soft Opening event on Wednesday, April 26. Fans that download the Andy’s App before April 26 will receive a Free Treat reward in the app on Opening Day to celebrate! A Grand Opening Ceremony will follow in May with an official ribbon cutting event and games and giveaways on the patio that evening. Save the date to join in on the Andy’s fun!

Toco Hills will fall in love with this new dessert shop! Andy’s Frozen Custard, located on North Druid Hills Rd, is amidst local shopping centers, DeKalb County schools, outdoor parks and is just 15 minutes from MidTown. The heart of Andy’s is to give back to the local community through donations, fundraisers, and school partnerships. They can’t wait to inspire smiles for kids and “kids at heart” with delicious frozen custard!

Andy’s Frozen Custard franchisee, Tom said, “I am super excited to finally serve the Toco Hills community! We have been working on this project for over 3 years and have come across many challenges, but the support of the community has been incredible! Our whole team is thrilled to finally bring them the product and service they deserve!”

Andy’s also offers a quick and easy drive-thru where customers can get their Andy’s on the go within 90 seconds of placing an order. They have a unique line of frozen custard treats, known as Andy’s Anywhere™ to-go program. Select from pints, quarts, Quart Combos™, and a ‘Pick 6™’ mix-and-match bundle. Enjoy these frozen treats at home with the family, walking through MidTown, or celebrating with friends. Whether it is a Concrete under their bright lights or a Quart at home, Andy’s sparks smiles by the spoonful wherever it is enjoyed.

Andy’s has a unique but simple approach which has been used to achieve such immense success; hire great people and treat them right. Their team focuses on bringing every customer a smile, one delicious frozen treat at a time. The quality of quick and friendly service makes this dessert stop a gem for families in Toco Hills to enjoy.

Andy’s Frozen Custard will be open this spring from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Customers can download the Andy’s Frozen Custard app to take advantage of touchless payment options and join the FANdy’s loyalty club to receive a free small 1-topping Concrete after their first visit. Fans can stay up-to-date on the latest from Andy’s, including news about seasonal menu offerings loaded with fresh fruit and baked goods, on Instagram (@andys.atl) and Facebook (@AndysAtlantaGADruidHillsRoad) or via Andy’s website.

About Andy’s Frozen Custard

Founded in 1986 in Osage Beach, MO by Andy’s parents John and Carol Kuntz. Andy’s Frozen Custard has been providing the freshest frozen custard in the business for 37 years, giving ice cream the “cold shoulder” by scooping, mixing, and presenting handcrafted frozen custard treats with speed and a smile. Since the beginning, the family has had one dream: to share what makes them happiest with everyone else, and to warm hearts, one scoop of frozen custard at a time. With a focus on product quality, customer service and community involvement, Andy’s has grown into the nation’s largest frozen

custard-only business, with more than 2,000 employees and 131 company-owned and franchised stores across fourteen states proudly serving the World’s Finest Frozen Custard. Andy’s also offers the ‘Yum Squad Loyalty Club,’ designed to say “thank you” to loyal customers by earning points for every dollar spent, towards redeeming a free. For more information or for details about franchising opportunities, visit eatandys.com.

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See where you can catch a fireworks display on the Fourth of July in the Atlanta area.

This year, the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Tuesday. What time the day's celebrations kick off is up to you, but fireworks displays will begin after sunset. If you plan to attend one of the fireworks events listed below, it makes sense to get to the location early so you can secure a good spot before the crowds settle in.

Below is a selections of events in the Atlanta area you can attend on Tuesday. Other events may be planned in towns and cities not mentioned in our guide.

Where: Wills Park, 11925 Wills Road, Alpharetta

When: 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4

Atlanta

What: Peach State Block Party

Where: Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St., Atlanta

When: 3-10 p.m., July 4

What: Look Up Atlanta

Where: Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave. W., Atlanta

When: 5-10 p.m., July 1

Where: 248 Castleberry Industrial Blvd., Cumming

When: 6 p.m., July 4

Dallas-Hiram

What: 2023 Fireworks Show

Where: New Season Church, 4457 Atlanta Hwy., Hiram

When: 6-9 p.m., July 2

Douglasville

What: The Big Bang 4th Of July Celebration 2023

Where: Arbor Place Mall, 6700 Douglas Blvd., Douglasville

When: 5-10:30 p.m., July 4

What: 4th in the Park Celebration

Where: Historic Marietta Square and Glover Park, Marietta

When: 10 a.m., July 4

Roswell

What: Fireworks Extravaganza

Where: Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell

When: 6 p.m., July 4

Woodstock

What: July 4th Spectacular Festival

Where: The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock

When: July 4, fireworks at 9 p.m.

Happy swimming!

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DeKalb County, GA — Goodbye North DeKalb Mall, hello Lulah Hills.

EDENS, the developer planning to transform North DeKalb Mall into a 73-acre mixed-use redevelopment, has given the mall a new moniker to go along with its new look. Demolition of the mall is expected to take place later this year.

“The rebrand marks the next milestone for the project following the landmark approval by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners of EDENS’ rezoning of the site in 2022,” EDENS said in a press release. “At its full buildout, the project will include 2.5 million square feet, including 320,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 1,700 multifamily units, 100 townhomes, a 150-key hotel and a Path Foundation trail connection to Emory University.”

Lulah Hills is a nod to the original naming concept for a planned Druid Hills residential suburb, coined by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

“From its inception in the 1890’s, the development of Druid Hills shaped the built environment of the majority of this region, from Atlanta and Decatur to modern-day North Druid Hills Road,” the press release says.

The first phase of the project is expected to be finished by 2025.

EDENS also provided new renderings of the project.

Photo provided by EDENS

Photo provided by EDENS

Here’s the full announcement from EDENS:

Atlanta, GA. (May 15, 2023) – EDENS, a leading national retail real estate owner, operator and developer, is pleased to announce the change in name from North DeKalb Mall to Lulah Hills, a 73-acre mixed-use redevelopment project bringing significant economic activity and strengthened connectivity for the area.

The rebrand marks the next milestone for the project following the landmark approval by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners of EDENS’ rezoning of the site in 2022. At its full buildout, the project will include 2.5 million square feet, including 320,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 1,700 multifamily units, 100 townhomes, a 150-key hotel and a Path Foundation trail connection to Emory University.

“Lulah Hills is the evolution of community. When it opened in 1965, North DeKalb Mall was a pioneering retail achievement, a one-stop shop for commerce and entertainment under one roof,” said Herbert Ames, Managing Director at EDENS. “With our redevelopment, we are designing a retail-focused, mixed-use destination that reflects the character of this community and inspires those who visit.”

The name Lulah Hills is a play on an original naming concept by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted for the planned Druid Hills residential suburb. From its inception in the 1890’s, the development of Druid Hills shaped the built environment of the majority of this region, from Atlanta and Decatur to modern-day North Druid Hills Road.

“Lulah Hills will be intentionally convenient and casual—ideal for a relaxed family outing, the long-overdue date night or a morning cup of coffee. This place will once again enrich community through innovative design, thoughtful curation and active engagement, just as it was known for almost 60 years ago,” continued Ames. “We look forward to our continued partnership with DeKalb County, Decide DeKalb and this community.”

Located near downtown Decatur and Emory University, North DeKalb Mall was the first fully enclosed mall open for business in Atlanta in 1965. While the mall has served as a spirited part of the community for nearly 60 years, EDENS is proud to become the next steward of this place. EDENS acquired the property in 2021 and found success in moving the project forward by engaging closely with the surrounding community to ensure the vision aligned with their priorities and those outlined in the DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan. In Summer 2022, EDENS received unanimous approval on the landmark rezoning from the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, paving the way for redevelopment.

EDENS owns and operates 1.5 million square feet of retail in the Atlanta MSA, including Toco Hills, Merchants Walk, Andrews Square, Buckhead Marketplace, Moores Mill and Park Place. Demolition of the mall is expected to begin later this year, with initial phases of the project to be completed by 2025.

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The largest healthcare project in Georgia history broke ground in early 2020 and continues to take shape across 70 acres next to Interstate 85 and North Druid Hills Road.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s expansion, which includes the $1.5 billion Arthur M. Blank Hospital, is now visible for miles across parts of Buckhead, Brookhaven, North Druid Hills, and beyond. The 1.5-million-square-foot hospital portion topped out in May last year, and it'll join another patient tower, an outpatient clinic, and support center that project leaders say are meant to meet a growing need for advanced pediatric care in Georgia.

But what about the 20 acres of park-like spaces and “healing gardens” around the campus, which have proven therapeutic value for ailing kids? And what’s up with the “grotto” component?

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HGOR, Atlanta-based planning and landscape architecture firm participated in the campus’ master planning effort, led by architecture firm HKS, and is now working with DaVinci Winstead, a joint venture development team between DaVinci Development and The Winstead Group, to implement it. They provided a thorough breakdown of design logic and construction updates to Urbanize Atlanta this week.

The goal is to create what HGOR reps call “an optimal healing environment for patients and families” that includes a leafy, walkable experience between the campus’ three main buildings: the Arthur M. Blank Hospital, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, and the Administrative Support Buildings.

A new parking garage and realigned circulation patterns for car traffic have begun to alleviate congestion in the notoriously clogged area, project officials tell Urbanize.

Speaking of the parking garage, a new covered pedestrian bridge branching off that structure has been completed, with views over a stream corridor.

Outside the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, a central lawn now features a fountain, an interactive art installation, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. Meant to act as a “dream fort from the noisy outside world,” a sunken grotto capitalizes on the site’s existing grade change and, per designers, is functional in several ways. (It also features an abstract face hidden in its architecture.)

“The grotto, which incorporates water’s soothing effects, [is] medically shown to relax a child's brain and physically elicit a sense of peace,” design officials wrote in a project description. “Design features associated with the dual-functioning grotto incorporate creative stormwater solutions that act as an amenity along with their functionality.”

Courtesy of HGOR

Also included in Children’s plans will be more flexible areas, such as a private dog park for therapy dogs, a lawn for yoga in nature, and a putting green with artificial turf for families and employees.

Sculptures and ornamental shade structures will be dotted around the grounds to provide whimsy and relief from the sun for more comfortable outdoor dining and relaxing.

HGOR reps say the hospital expansion is on track to be completed ahead of schedule, and that Children’s anticipates its first patients to arrive in fall 2024.

The campus will be capable of handling 1 million visitors and treating more than 400,000 children annually, many of them coming from afar to find life-saving treatment in Atlanta. [CORRECTION: 5:13 p.m., July 12: Hospital publicists send the following clarification: "Children’s three-hospital system currently has more than 1 million visitors and treats more than 400,000 children annually from across the state; with this new campus that number is expected to increase significantly."]

Courtesy of HGOR

Courtesy of HGOR

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• In Brookhaven's southern fringes, huge mixed-use project advances (Urbanize Atlanta)