What's News In & Around Clairmont Heights!

CHCA news & updates

December 2020 |

Main CHCA Neighborhood Entrance Intersection & Traffic Light UPDATE

Dear Neighbors,

Your CHCA Executive Board has been working hard on your behalf and we want to share some updates with you.

All of us who live in Clairmont Heights and Medlock Park is familiar with the take-your-life-into-your-own-hands nature of the intersection at the entrance of our neighborhood, North Superior Ave. and North Decatur Road. Our Traffic Committe, led by Clint Paden and Kelly Baker Fink, share this note with the neighborhood:

The intersection at the corner of N Decatur and N Superior has been a recurrent problem for our neighborhood. In addition to the problem of collisions, over the last several months, the timing of the light has frustrated neighbors and commuters alike. In some cases, frustrations have boiled over into unsafe driving choices.

Neighbors have had mixed experiences with the timing of the light. At some times of day, the timing is normal, other times, wait times can reportedly exceed 10 minutes. Some people have reported having to press the pedestrian signal button in order to get a green light.

In order to accurately describe the issue to Dekalb County Public Works, the CHCA initiated a survey in order to ascertain what specific request we can and should make to the already-overburdened department. We placed a yard sign on both sides of the intersection, giving a QR code (which a passenger can scan with their phone) and a link to the survey: https://bit.ly/NDNST. If you ever have a report to file, you can do it with this link, no need to scan the sign.

You can view the ongoing results of this survey at https://bit.ly/NDNSTres. There you can see the numbers broken down by day of the week and by hour of the day. We also include a metric called “frustration index,” which is simply the number of wait-minutes reported during that time period--we make the assumption that there is some built-in frustration for people who file a report, and that it increases along with the wait time.

We hope to have more data-driven approaches to lobby for improvements to our neighborhood, and we encourage everyone to participate as much as they can. The more data points we have, the better our message is.

Neighborhood News

Holiday Gifts Needed for Jerusalem House

Help make the holidays a little brighter for adults in need at The Jerusalem House, which is the oldest and largest provider of permanent housing for Atlanta's low-income and homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS. There are two locations right here in our neighborhood - one on N. Decatur Road, and the other on Briarcliff.

Purchase an item (or more!) from our Amazon Wish List

Or to contribute money, Venmo "Susanne-Sullivan-1" (or contact Sue directly)

All contributions must be collected before December 14th.

Have questions or want to help wrap presents? Email Sue Sullivan

Schools Updates

Have you seen the NEW DHMS TRACK?

Thanks to the great efforts of the DHMS PTSA, School Council, the Druid Hills Athletic Association, and the entire community's lobbying, Druid Hills Middle School now has a brand new athletic track and playing field. This track serves the entire community, as well as various DHMS and DHHS teams.

Dekalb County School District funded this fantastic community addition and it will serve our students for many, many years to come!

Public Safety Updates

Street Racing Crackdowns

Atlanta recently passed an ordinance (by a vote of 10-3) that requires people arrested in connection with street racing to stay in jail until they go before a judge, usually within 24 to 48 hours of arrest. Read more details about the crackdown on street racing in the City of Atlanta.

DeKalb County Police are holding special enforcement operations during the week and weekend in areas where they have identified hot spots for street racing activities. They are working with state reps, City of Atlanta officials, prosecutors/defense attorneys, and various community groups to discuss laws targeting street racing activities (penalties and procedures; towing). Learn more about what DeKalb County Police are doing. (video begins at 5:34)

Traffic Updates

Did you know there is a Facebook Group dedicated to tracking incidents and advocating for a safer intersection of North Decatur Road and North Superior Avenue??

Check out Fix the Intersection if you're interested in joining.

Parks Updates

Mason Mill Educational Programs are on hold!

Is Your Membership in Our Neighborhood Association Current?

Membership in Clairmont Heights Civic Association (CHCA) is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who own or reside within the CHCA boundaries. Membership is on a household basis and dues are $25. Our membership year runs from June 1 - May 31.

How we use your Membership dues:

Neighborhood Improvements: We buy plants for neighborhood entrances and help fund additions to Melton Park. We provide grants for things like our annual Graduation Banners. We mow common areas when necessary.

Social gatherings: CHCA sponsors our neighborhood’s annual Halloween potluck and occasionally other cookouts and Family Movie Nights. We try to provide opportunities to meet your neighbors and have a good time.

Communications: The Association website, this monthly eNewsletter, and the neighborhood Facebook group are all mechanisms that we employ to share information about the community. With separate committees addressing traffic issues, zoning and development concerns, and schools, our Board learns about a wide variety of things that we share throughout the year.