Drive On, Drive Through

Weekly Update from Tucker

It’s Friday, friends, and while the week may have brought its share of challenges, at least you aren’t this guy. This week’s newsletter from Cathy at Rough Draft covers a range of topics related to Tucker, including city council meetings, police precinct updates, and the future of Lawrenceville Highway.

Tightening Restrictions on Drive-Through Facilities

During a marathon meeting on August 11, the Tucker City Council voted 6-1 to tighten restrictions on drive-through facilities in several defined areas. The decision eliminated some supplemental changes made between the first and second readings. According to a staff memo, in the downtown area (DT-2), the option for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for restaurants would be removed, making it a prohibited use. In the Northlake area, the SLUP option would be removed in the NL-2 and NL-3 areas. For Lawrenceville Highway, the SLUP option would be removed in the LH-3 area. In other city-wide areas, a SLUP would be required.

The council considered two options: one with extra stipulations introduced at the July 14 meeting, and another that approved changes to the use table and definitions without adapting the supplemental changes. The passage ends the moratorium and allows time to discuss possible changes as part of a future text amendment.

Addressing FOG Issues in DeKalb

At its monthly virtual meeting on August 13, the Tucker Police Precinct discussed the issue of FOG (fats, oil, and grease) pouring down sinks, which is responsible for 60% of DeKalb’s sewer spills. Brenda Winston of DeKalb Watershed Management explained that flushable wipes, often marketed as safe for pipes, actually attract FOG. An experiment showed that toilet paper degrades in water while flushable wipes do not. She also emphasized that what people put down their drains can affect their personal property, urging caution when disposing of items like bacon grease and meat.

Although the meeting wasn’t particularly riveting, it provided valuable information, and attendees had the opportunity to ask questions to top police personnel. With only 10-20 people attending each meeting, there is room for more participants.

The Future of Lawrenceville Highway

Lawrenceville Highway is a road that causes concern for many due to the wide disparity in speed. Tucker City Council Member Cara Schroeder has been passionate about its development and recently wrote an op-ed piece discussing its future. She mentioned her commitment to addressing road safety and investing in corridors that connect neighborhoods, with Lawrenceville Highway being one of the most important and challenging.

An open house was held last night, but it was not attended by the writer. However, plenty of information is available from a 2021 comprehensive report and Schroeder’s op-ed piece.

Upcoming Elections in Tucker

With the upcoming elections, Tucker will have three city council posts up for election, as well as a mayoral election to replace the city’s only leader so far. All three incumbents—Roger Orlando (District 1), Cara Schroeder (District 2), and Alexis Weaver (District 3)—have indicated they will seek re-election. Former council member Anne Lerner is running for the mayoral seat now held by Frank Auman, who is term-limited.

Qualifying for these offices will begin on Monday, August 18, and end on Thursday, August 21. More information about the process is available online.

Community Engagement and Support

For those interested in supporting mental health and addiction resources, Southern Live Oak Wellness is working to educate and provide resources. They are helping to break the silence around these issues and promote change.

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