Zoning Ordinance “Quick Fixes” Pass Full City Council; City of Atlanta Begins Phase II of Zoning Ordinance Update

The Council for Quality Growth has been monitoring and working closely with the City of Atlanta as it undertakes its multi-year Zoning Ordinance update.

In 2015 the City of Atlanta selected a team of consultants to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, including a review of the ability of the Zoning Ordinance to implement City policies, the usability and clarity of the Zoning Ordinance to administer and use, and national best practices in zoning. Out of this process, two recommendation types emerged: (1) “Quick Fixes” and (2) “Future Code Changes.”  “Quick Fixes” are updates to the Atlanta Zoning Ordinance that are relatively easy to prepare, meet a critical need, and are met with broad public support. “Future Code Changes” are updates that should be undertaken as part of the full Zoning Ordinance updates over three to five years.

The Atlanta Office of Zoning and Development has also been working through the Atlanta Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), of which the Council for Quality Growth has a statutorily appointed member, to bring periodic updates on the progress of this undertaking and solicit feedback for future additions, improvements, and points of reconsideration.

The “Quick Fixes” Ordinance (17-O-1839) unanimously passed out of the Zoning Committee on Wednesday, April 25. The “Quick Fixes” Ordinance will now go to full City Council at its next meeting.  For a complete analysis of the City’s “Quick Fixes” ordinance, click Atlanta Zoning Ordinance “Quick Fixes”

Additionally, the City has now moved into Phase II – “Future Code Changes”, of its Zoning Ordinance update. Notably, Phase II alters Accessory Dwelling Unit standards, Industrial District uses, density standards in the MRC-2 Residential zoning district, Telecommunications SAP process, and Parking standards. Phase II also creates a transitional Industrial-MIX zoning district, and addresses “Missing Middle” housing.

There will be TWO “Kickoff Public Forums” followed by EIGHT, more localized Open House sessions. The dates of these opportunities for public engagement are:

  • April 9, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Atlanta Metropolitan State College
  • April 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Trinity Presbyterian Church
  • April 17, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Atlanta Metropolitan State College
  • April 18, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Trinity Presbyterian Church
  • April 19, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Georgia Hill Facility
  • April 26, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Atlanta City Studio
  • April 30, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Georgia Hill Facility
  • May 7, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Trinity Presbyterian Church
  • May 8, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Atlanta City Studio
  • May 10, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Atlanta Metropolitan State College

For an analysis of the preliminary presentation for Phase II of the City’s Zoning Ordinance update, click Atlanta Zoning Ordinance “Phase II”
For the actual presentation for Phase II provided by the City, click Phase II Presentation
Additionally, the City’s website detailing the Zoning Ordinance update can be found at https://www.zoningatl.com/

Please contact Taylor Morison at tm@councilforqualitygrowth.org or James Touchton at jt@councilforqualitygrowth.org with specific comments or items that you would like to see included or changed as the Zoning Ordinance update moves along.