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LOCAL CHAMPION! July 28 - Aug. 3, 2016 • Page 4A Northcrest neighborhood considered for historic nomination The Northcrest neighborhood in DeKalb County is known for being eclectic, funky and inclusive by residents. Photo used courtesy of Northcrest Civic Association. Northcrest’s mid-century modern and ranch style homes, unique in Atlanta, are being considered for nomination into the National Registry of Historic Places. Photo used courtesy of domoREALTY. by R. Scott Belzer sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com F inding a neighborhood of houses hailing from the first wave of post-World War II suburbia, often referred to as mid-century modern may be a rarity for some. Unless, of course, one is familiar with the Northcrest neighborhood and similar ones in the Chamblee-Doraville area. Constructed between 1959 and 1975, the Northcrest neighborhood consists of dozens of A-frame split- level houses, ranch-style homes with wood siding and brick veneer, open carports and large lawns. In other words, what one might expect from the era immediately following World War II, a period of time frequently referred to as the beginning of suburban sprawl. The Northcrest Civic Association (NCA) is taking steps to ensure Northcrest’s aesthetic appeal and history are preserved and honored for years to come. NCA recently applied for the neighborhood to be officially considered the Northcrest Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. “The [neighborhood] is a good example of a planned tract development in suburban Atlanta that included a mixture of houses, a school, a park and a swim/tennis center,” states NCA’s application. “Northcrest is the culmination of that trend in the metropolitan Atlanta area.” Designation as a historic district affords the neighborhood such benefits as favorable tax treatments, historic values, and eligibility for federal grants. If chosen, the Georgia National Register Review Board will officially nominate the district on Aug. 26. According to its official application, the district-outlined by Chamblee-Tucker Road to the south, Northcrest Road to the west and Pleasantdale Road to the north and east—encompasses four subdivisions totaling 396 acres: Northcrest, Northcrest East, Hidden Acres and Concord Manor. The neighborhood’s development followed the same path as most suburban neighborhoods in post-World War II America, offering affordable middle- class homes to industry workers. “The Northcrest Historic District was developed as part of an explosion of growth in suburban DeKalb County in the years following World War II,” states NCA. “The neighborhood provided housing and other amenities for workers in new industries in the area, such as the Doraville General Motors plant. Northcrest is significant in architecture for its good, intact collection of mid-20th century houses that follow the predominant national trends of the time.” Historical documents suggest Northcrest represented an innovative step for developers Walter Tally, Howard Hardrath and Paul Edwards. Tally previously worked with lenders on Northwoods, a similarly styled development in Doraville. The same lenders were “initially reluctant to finance the more innovative designs of the Contemporary-style houses,” designed by Georgia Tech graduate Ernest Mastin. The sleek, A-Framed houses were eventually funded and specifically designed for each lot in the neighborhood. Following the trend of modernism, the houses are often designed around the surrounding environment rather than the other way around. According to Vanessa Reilly, owner and broker of domoREALTY, Northcrest is unusual in offering mid-century modern homes in an otherwise traditional city that favors classic styles. “There’s nothing in Atlanta like it,” Reilly said. “There’s a lot of big history that goes along with it. Atlanta is such a traditional city that mid-century modern and modern homes were few and far between in the 1960s.” Reilly said mid-century modern homes attract a specific type of buyer but not necessarily a specific type of person. “Not everyone likes mid-century modern homes, but the people who do, love them,” Reilly said. “The houses are architecturally interesting. People are always impressed with the openness of the floorplan. A variety of people are drawn to this type of architecture.” NCA Vice President Debra Knott said Northcrest’s uniqueness goes beyond architecture. Knott credited the neighborhood’s eclectic blend of new and original owners, cohesiveness and community engagement as attributes that set the district apart from others in Atlanta. “It’s exciting for people to move into modern housing, but it’s really the people that make it a great neighborhood,” Knott said. “We have tons of young families mixed with original homeowners. We have five bands that live in the neighborhood. We have a cartoonist. It’s really an ‘in’ place with a funky mix of people.” According to Knott, inclusion seems to be the norm in Northcrest. The neighborhood has its own newspaper, pool and tennis club, social events, parades and celebrations, all without an official homeowners association. “We have a lot of little groups that work together for the betterment of the neighborhood,” Knott said. For more information on Northcrest, NCA or the potential Northcrest Historic District, visit www.northcrestcivicassociation. com. OITV OF LITHONIA, GEORGIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VARIANCES AND AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia, Georgia will hold a public hearing for consideration of the following variances and amendments to the Lithonia Zoning Ordinance 14-05-01 (re-adopted with amendments July 5, 2015). 1 .Application by Bainbridge Limited LP for several variances related to the Granite Crossing housing development, located at 6887 Max Cleland Blvd. in the Lithonia Plaza. The variances include the required setback of the building; residential use on ground floor; increase in building height; allowance of slope in roof line; location of parking; and driveway entries. Additionally, the applicant is requesting approvalof the proposed building materials and the architectural style. 2. Amendment of Article V. Administration, Division 3. Special Administrative Permits, Sec. 27-894. Planning and Zoning Commission, Para. 1 Membership and appointments to include the following language -’’Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, up to two members of the commission may reside outside of the City of Lithonia, who bring expertise beneficial to the commission.” 3. Amendments to the Official Zoning Map to update any approved changes or make corrections. The hearing will be held on Monday, the 15th day of August, 2016, at 6:00 PM in the Lithonia City Hall at 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, Georgia. Written comments concerning the proposed variances and amendment may be filed with the City Clerk prior to the public hearing or submitted at the hearing. Individuals interested in commenting on the proposed amendment, either in writing or verbally, will be given the opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place. The proposed variances and amendments, findings and recommendations of the Zoning Administrator and the Official Zoning Map noting the location of properties may be examined at Lithonia City Hall, Lithonia, Georgia. Further information may be obtained by contacting Ms. Leah Rodriguez,City Clerk, at 770.482.8136. Deborah A. Jackson Mayor,City of Lithonia
