The Council for Quality Growth on Monday, December 8th, for the sixth time since March 2014, testified in opposition against a proposed building amendment that has the potential to effect certain development within the City of Dunwoody. Despite hearing from industry stakeholders about the detrimental effects of a passage of the ordinance, members of the Dunwoody City Council continue to push for final adoption. The lone voice of opposition of adoption to this ordinance was Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis. Testimony was offered on behalf of the Council for Quality Growth by Marian Adeimy, an Attorney with the law firm of Andersen, Tate & Carr.
Here is a portion of the Council for Quality Growth’s letter to the City Council Monday night:
“The letter presented represents the continued position on behalf of the Council’s many members in the Metro Atlanta Region, many who invest and pay property taxes in the City of Dunwoody, building and investing in both residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. While it has been mentioned that the people testifying are not Dunwoody residents, it is worth noting that when I represent the Council, I represent many members who invest millions of dollars in the local economy of the City.
It is our belief this amendment remains unnecessary. There are a limited number of zoning classifications in the Dunwoody City Code that allow buildings over 3 stories in height. Those are RM (Residential multi-family), O-I (Office-Institution), and the M (Industrial) zoning district. Only 3 of the City’s 22 zoning districts (RM-HD, OI and M) allow buildings over 48 feet or 4 stories in height.
On the City’s official zoning map, those classifications are only found within the City’s major activity centers. As further protections the city’s code does not allow building heights to exceed 35 feet (3 stories) adjacent to any single-family district, firmly protecting the city’s single-family neighborhoods. The zoning code also already requires all proposed buildings over 35 feet to undergo an additional life safety review by local fire and rescue services.”
It should be noted on the Memo for Staff to City Council, their recommendation says “The Adoption of the Amendment is a decision for the City Council.”
It should be noted on the Memo for Staff to City Council, their recommendation says “The Adoption of the Amendment is a decision for the City Council.” When the professional staff don’t think it is a needed amendment, one would think the City Council would not take that lightly.
The Council for Quality Growth continually requested a deferral of the amendment and offered our assistance to help the City and its citizens to see why this remains unnecessary. We respectfully suggested the formation of a city led stakeholders group, constituting of a balance of community interest, industry interest, and investment interest within the city. The stakeholders group would have been tasked with evaluation the problems at hand and considering all solutions, including design guidelines which could be applicable to various property types, as a way of ensuring quality and sustainable development to meet the high standards for which Dunwoody is known.
Thank you to our members and industry partners who worked diligently on this issue.
To view the entire letter, click HERE