Good Growth DeKalb announced today that it is ending a nearly three-year battle to prevent a Walmart Supercenter from opening as part of the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza.
According to organization leader Louise Runyon, members of Good Growth DeKalb met with Selig Enterprises on April 17 and agreed to end legal proceedings in exchange for relief to the individual plaintiffs whose homes are adjacent to the plaza at the intersection of Scott Boulevard, Medlock Road and North Decatur Road.
Some of that relief includes soundproof windows, new trees, pest control, a commitment to maintain construction hours and the creation of a neighborhood security committee with the potential to add full-time security guards.
Runyon said the organization also received a commitment from Selig to contribute a significant amount of money for a sidewalk along Medlock Road between North Decatur Road and Church Street. In addition, Selig Enterprises will arrange a meeting between Good Growth DeKalb and Walmart to discuss issues of importance to the community.
“We continue to believe a Walmart is wholly unsuitable to this location,” Runyon said. “Our concerns have been neighbors’ concerns – traffic, safety, emergency vehicles, the environment, good jobs for the community and small business viability.”
Runyon said a the legal fight also forced DeKalb County to confirm that it has never staffed or operated the Technical Board Appeals that the county code of ordinances establishes as the review panel for many issues, including building permits.”It is our hope that this admission will lead to better and more efficient governance and management of our county in the future in accordance with our laws,” Runyon said.
She said Good Growth DeKalb is now working with other community organizations to ensure that the new county zoning code reflects the best in zoning practices as well as community interests. Good Growth DeKalb helped defer a vote on the new code over concerns that it still fails to address the ability of aggrieved parties to appeal unwanted development. The zoning code comes up for a vote before the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on May 27.
Bill Wertz, spokesperson for Walmart, said, “We are delighted that the legal issues around our new Supercenter at Suburban Plaza have been resolved. Our new store means greater choice and more affordable grocery options for our customers, plus approximately 300 new jobs and a boost to the local economy. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from so many throughout the planning and approval process.”
