Excerpted from an article By Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution DeKalb County’s most populous city decided to redraw its four council districts before November’s elections, but they did so without 2020 U.S. Census data. Due to the pandemic, the full dataset won’t be available until September, which is well after the state’s May 6 redistricting deadline. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Attorney… Read More
The Georgia Supreme Court today let stand a decision by the Court of Appeals that the citizens of Douglasville could lawfully withstand the construction of a rock crushing plant in their neighborhood. In a unanimous Order, the Supreme Court declined to undertake further review. In Boyd v. City of Douglasville, the project owner proposed constructing an industrial plant immediately across… Read More
Nominated by his clients and affirmed by his colleagues, Chris Balch has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer for 2021. This recognition is made for the quality of the advocacy and dedication to client success Chris has demonstrated throughout his career. Selection is limited to just 5% of lawyers in the state. The firm is proud of Chris’s recognition and… Read More
From an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Zachary Hansen Brookhaven’s city leaders passed an ordinance Tuesday night that imposes a fine between $500 and $1,000 for violators, who could also receive up to six months in jail. In addition, vehicles used in a street race can be impounded for 30 days or until the case is settled. “The ordinance expands the police… Read More
On Veterans Day Chris received a surprise Proclamation, presented by Atlanta City Council Member Carla Smith in recognition for his service to the City from 2014-2020 in establishing and chairing the first City of Atlanta Commission on Veterans’ Affairs. Thank you very much for that. My former Vice Chair and now Chairperson of the Commission, Brigette McCoy, thank you as… Read More
Excerpted from an article by Dyana Bagby – Reporter, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Business Chronicle Sep 8, 2020 A five-member arbitration panel appointed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs on Sept. 3 issued their unanimous findings in favor of the city of Brookhaven. [see the full article at the Atlanta Business Chronicle]
Ruling paves way for developments at Briarcliff and North Druid Hills – Press release Brookhaven, GA, Sept. 3, 2020 – A five-member arbitration panel appointed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs issued their unanimous findings in the challenge by the County against property owners seeking annexation into the City of Brookhaven. The ruling settles issues involving Brookhaven’s annexation and the eventual… Read More
Georgia’s Governor Kemp has said that a mask mandate is a “bridge too far;”* but we learned from Congressman John Lewis** that crossing bridges, even in the face of violent opposition, is good trouble when it means saving lives and making a difference. Cities across Georgia need to stand up for their citizens and assert their lawful authority to supplement… Read More
The firm is proud of its work for the City of Douglasville as the Georgia Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court ruling that would have allowed a rock crusher facility to be built adjacent to a residential neighborhood in the City. In City of Douglasville v. Bart Boyd, the City argued that the use of property owned by Mr…. Read More
I was raised by a pacifist who wholly believed Dr King and Mahatma Ghandi’s creed of nonviolence. Then I learned about WWII and confronted bullies on the playground and realized that sometimes violence is a necessary response to injustice and violence. I enlisted in the Marines to put action to my belief that I was willing to do or suffer… Read More
In an article published today, the AJC stated (without citation or authority) that public hearings by local governments had to be held in person. That is flatly incorrect. Georgia cities, including Brookhaven, have been conducting public hearings via online platforms throughout the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so. The Open Meetings Act, O.C.G.A. § 51-14-1et seq., allows meetings to be by phone… Read More
Yesterday afternoon, the Governor issued Executive Order 05.12.20.02. Written in the intensely bureaucratic language we have come to expect, the Order is far from a model of clarity. By omission, the Governor has directed that public pools are allowed to reopen. Pools are not included or directly mentioned in the Executive Order but they are omitted from the list of… Read More