DHA Zoning Alert 1988

 Here's a DHA zoning alert mailed to all members in 1988.  The zoning battle was to protect homeowners in Dunwoody Station area and Valley View.  The DHA lost this battle and now we have a Harbor Freight. And of course Cowart was involved. 

The Fund for the Defense of Dunwoody

 An interesting discussion on MARTA from 1989.  

The DHA had "over 1100" members in April 1989.

Also mention of the Georgia Retardation Center (now Brook Run Park)

Dunwoody DHA 1989 Notes

 The DHA had 1,600 members in 1989.

Top issues were recycling, zoning, illegal signs, and schools.  Not much has changed in 35 years.

First Baptist Atlanta Buys Avon HQ 1989

 Avon (the cosmetic company) had its southeast headquarters and distribution center in Dunwoody until the late 1980's.  It is now home to the First Baptist Church - Atlanta. In addition to the Avon parcel, the church also bought what was then Fountain Square apartments.  The apartment complex had a fire and was an eyesore. First Baptist bought the property in October 1988, leased it back to Avon, and held its first service in north DeKalb (now Dunwoody) in April 1992. In 2022 the City of Dunwoody planned to confiscate five acres of the church's property for its own use.

The DHA August 1989 newsletter mentions the purchase.  The newsletter (mailed to all DHA members) also discusses MARTA, recycling, taxes, and the DeKalb Comprehensive Land Use plan.

Dunwoody 1987/88 Flashback with the DHA

Last night the Dunwoody City Council put an end (temporarily) to a planned subsidized housing project in Dunwoody.  The location of the proposed low-income housing project was between the high-density of the PCID and the single-family homes areas of Dunwoody.  If we did not have two challengers in the city council races, we believe this vote would have have been 4-3 in favor.  

Who fought against these types of projects prior to Dunwoody becoming a city?  It was the Dunwoody Homeowner's Association - the same volunteer group that brings you Light Up Dunwoody (sans the mention of a "Christmas" tree, much to the chagrin of the Gentiles), and the Independence Day parade (referred to as the July 4th parade to appease the authoritarians).

The notes from the 1988 annual meeting were drafted by two local legends - Bob Lundsten and Don Converse.  These two guys were awesome.  Miss them both.

In the annual meeting notes there is mention of a lawsuit brought by the DHA against a developer for a project in "the buffer" area between the Perimeter and the neighborhoods.  You can see notes here on that lawsuit.  In the 1980's the DHA was very active, using funds for lawsuits.  The DHA, from its beginning and up until about 15 years ago, used lawyers and the court system to protect Dunwoody homeowners.  Since cityhood, the DHA has morphed into a community chest for other local non-profits.  The DHA was not created to give the local school PTA $500 grants for gardens.  It was created to have a war chest to fight government and developers.  For the DHA to again become more than a parade organizer and provider of electricity for a Menorah and a holiday tree, it needs to fight for homeowners. 

 

Stage Door Players Promotion 1980's

 1984 or 1986 promotional flier for Stage Door Players

DHA versus Cowart 1984 Dunwoody

 

In 1984 the Dunwoody Homeowners Association was in a fight against Cowart and Powell over 72 acres of land in Dunwoody.  The plan was to build thousands of apartments.  Then the plan was for Publix supermarket and mixed-use.  DHA won this one, but Cowart would continue his quest to urbanize Dunwoody.

 

 

Spruill Family Chose Money Over Preservation. Part 1

 In the news recently was the sale of the CVS shopping center behind the beloved Dunwoody farmhouse.  The sold commercial property surrounds the historic farmhouse - because the properties were joined for 100+ years - until the heirs of Mr. and Mrs. Carey Spruill decided to sell the property, including the farmhouse, to the highest bidder, after the passing of Mrs. Spruill in 1994. The Dunwoody Preservation Trust has a washed version of the history HERE.

The farmhouse in Dunwoody used to have many historic outbuildings. 

Circa 1971, Mr. Carey Spruill discing his field. Now, instead of rows of corn, you can buy crispy corn tortillas from Chipotle.