The Ashford Park Civic Association is in the process of joining forces with the Ashford Alliance Community Association, officers of the two neighborhood groups say.
“They’ve decided to join,” Ashford Alliance Vice President Sandy Murray said.
The addition of the Ashford Park group could greatly expand the size and potential influence of the Ashford Alliance, an umbrella organization that represents homeowner groups, members say.
The combination would mean the area represented by the Ashford Alliance would cross Peachtree Road for the first time, Murray said. That would mean the organization would represent communities in much of the unincorporated area of north DeKalb County, she said.
“It just makes us a bigger organization,” Murray said. “It adds strength and gives a little more attention at the county level so commissioners have a central place to come and talk to.”
Ashford Alliance board member Jeff Turnage estimated the group now represents homeowner groups that cover an area that includes more than 2,500 homes. The alliance represents neighborhoods such as Murphey Candler, Huntleigh Hills, Sexton Hills and Cambridge Park communities, he said.
Jim Eyre, vice president of the Ashford Park group, said that organization includes more than 200 member families. The area represented by the group runs from Clairmont to Peachtree roads to Dresden Drive, he said, and includes about 1,200 homes.
“There are a number of issues that don’t stop at the borders of Ashford Park,” Eyre said. “It’s always good to understand what your neighbors are thinking.”
The boards of the two groups are to meet this month to work out arrangements, board members said. Adding the Ashford Park group likely will require changes to the bylaws of the Ashford Alliance, Turnage said.
“There are positive feelings on both sides, but there are details to be worked out,” he said. “The two boards are meeting to work out those details.”