May 2024

The City is going to great lengths to gather community input into the new Zoning Code. The code will have a fundamental impact on our properties, development and community character, so it’s important that all residents provide feedback on the proposals.
Several Public meetings are planned over the coming months, but even if you cannot attend a meeting you can read the code and submit comments online.

Courtesy Debra Wathen, Chairman, Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods (UHNA is a member of BCN)
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Tuesday night’s zoning meeting went through quite a bit of information at a very fast pace.  

The meeting introduced Module 1 which covers regulations related to property form and use.  (Module 2 will Cover Development Standards (Meeting date: September 30) and Module 3 will cover Administration (Meeting date:  December 4.)  
The code document is available on their website and allows for online comments.  (Go to Participate on the home page and it will give you a tutorial on how to make comments on the document).
You should be able to see comments made by others as well.  
The question and answer session for Module 1 will be on July 9th.  
Please see this link for the ATL Zoning Drafts: https://www.atlzoning.konveio.com

Or the Home Page; https://atlzoning.com

Please read the code and make comments.  Do not let this overwhelm you; it takes a moment but it all starts to make sense after a minute.  The notes I took at the meeting are below.
My Notes:
With this zoning code, they tried to reflect the unique character of Atlanta and our diverse neighborhoods.  The zoning code is only one part of the regulations that dictate the way a property can be used.  There are also environmental regulations, tree ordinance, stormwater regulations, and the building code, to name a few.  There will be 2 types of Classifications for each property.  There will be a Form and Frontage District and a Use Classification District.  Just as they sound, the Form and Frontage will dictate more of what a property will look like, and the Use will be how that property can be used.  
I took the following points from the presentation. They were moving fast and there were so many more that I could not begin to get it all on paper:
·      All terms will be defined, and their meaning will be the same throughout the code. For instance, gas stations and fuel stations will have one common name.
·      Current zoning classifications will translate to new classifications. Charts are available to follow how the new and old zoning classifications translate. 
·      Standards for regulations related to certain uses such as gas stations, drive-throughs and public storage units will be the same across the city.
·      Neighborhoods can have compatibility across neighborhoods.
·      No changes were made to historic districts except to ensure that terms in the historic district code matched the zoning code terms. 
·      At this time, they are not changing the zoning of any properties with this code.  Those will still need to go through the usual process for changes.
·      No current overlays will change but they will be adding overlays to a few areas.
·      Mixed-use can be any amount of residential and commercial.
·      There will be standards for the amount of windows required in buildings
·      All buildings will be built to the street without front parking lots
·      They increased the setbacks in R-1 to R-3 zoning classifications.
·      R-3 and R-4 will have height compatibility guidelines.
·      R4 and R5 will be allowed 2 Accessory units on the property. 
·      The code will match the average setback in neighborhoods.
·      Some neighborhoods will have height restrictions which include a limit of 2 ½ stories.
·      There are incentives in the code to create alleyways.
·      With Residential Mix, which is multifamily, some will require ground-floor shops.
·      There will be an Industrial Flex zoning which will allow for some industrial within a residential area.  He used the Habitat Building as an example.
·      There will also be classifications of Industrial, Special Districts such as a College Campus and there will even be Park zoning, again, to name a few.
·      There will also be defined classifications of alcohol and vape establishments.  For instance, there will be a distinction between a restaurant, a club, and a bar.  

​Please go to https://atlzoning.com/review-and-comment/ and provide your own thoughts on the proposals.

Adjacent our area, the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s newest bike tour route the Northwest BeltLine Trails & Parks Tour highlights newer segments of the Atlanta BeltLine and PATH Foundation trail network and features two of Atlanta’s recently completed green spaces. This new route is about 11 miles long and starts and ends in the Westside BeltLine Connector parking lot located at 900 Bedford St. NW, Atlanta, 30318.
Check out the route map.
More info…

Participants will gain valuable leadership and communication skills, learn about local government and civic engagement, and connect with like-minded peers and mentors.

If you are a motivated and passionate youth leader who wants to make a difference in your community, this program is the perfect opportunity.

Apply today and be a voice for your generation! 
Atlanta City HallMonday – Friday
June 3 – 7, 2024
9:00 am – 4:00 pm$450 stipend, 30 hours of community service, and a certificate upon completion

The regular quarterly meeting was held 7pm Monday May 13, in Person at Round Trip Brewing and remote via ZOOM.
After waiting a few minutes for late arrivals (and beer orders) the Meeting was called to Order around 7:10pm.
It was a friendly, casual, low-key meeting consisting largely of brief Reports and updates from the various UHNA executives and sub-committee chairs. 
President Steven Lindsay reported on progress towards 2024 goals, including a very successful Membership Drive and the continued implementation of existing programs, such as eNews & social media messaging, Kilometer kids (completely its 5th year), Adopt a Stream (nearing its 3 year milestone) , Social events such as Playgroup and community service like Teen Committee and the recent Park cleanup.
Treasurer Beth Stedman was an apology so President Lindsay delivered an update; UHNA is in good financial health and on track to deliver the approved 2024 budget well within available funds.
Communications Chair Eugen Gassman delivered the continuing Survey results, with high satisfaction from respondents. He also emphasized the request that members help reinforce UHNA messaging by engaging on social media, which helps boost the visibility via the algorithm. Also announced was the upcoming quarterly newsletter. 
NPU-D Rep Eva Nason reported no issues for Underwood Hills currently before NPU-D. The executive meeting is tomorrow night, at which the agenda is set for the upcoming public meeting. She will advise if anything concerning our neighborhood arises. 
The Beautification chair was absent so the President provided an update on recent activities including some reseeding in the Park and a cleanup in preparation for the Spring Social. 
Membership Chair Mary Aldrige presented the great results of the membership campaign, yielding 172 paid-up members. The new automated renewal system makes it much easier for members to track payments and remain current.
Interim Traffic Chair Rob Wheeler reported his plans to have  Zebra stripes installed at stop signs on Defoor Avenue to make it safer for residents crossing that busy road.
Teen Committee Coordinator Jan Swink was an apology. The president reported on continuing activities engaging neighborhood teens, particularly leveraging volunteer activities enabling them to earn the required Community Service Hours for graduation.
Safety Chair Cynthia Williams was an apology due to attending the Atlanta Community Emergency Response Team training, which runs every Monday night until May 20.  This is the FEMA-sponsored program for local communities to be able to help themselves when fire responders are overwhelmed by a major disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, etc.  It is the program that  led Cynthia to develop the UHERO program. The firefighters from Station 23 will be at the Spring Social.  Cynthia is also hoping to be able to have a fire extinguisher demonstration at the Spring Social. The Family Fire drills continue to be offered. Anyone Interested can contact safety@mediumaquamarine-swan-546567.hostingersite.com

Social chair Chris Lecraw provided Quick Spring Social update – we are looking good for May 18th! Thanks to our sponsors (Melissa Blair shout out!) we have several major costs covered, which should be a healthy boon to our fundraising efforts! More details are available in other posts. In the meantime there are two key needs; 
-please continue to submit raffle items!  add social@mediumaquamarine-swan-546567.hostingersite.com to any emails
– day of volunteers! Please add your name to the Volunteers sign up sheet.  We can always use extra hands to help set up the morning and work the intro tent from 4-6.
Playgroup organizer Shane Murphy also reported on the last couple of playgroups until end of term, with a Kona Ice van booked for the final on May 24.

Other  matters  
UHNA Member Bruce Kaufman presented information on the Narcan program which is part of efforts to combat the Fentanyl crisis highlighted at the last BCN meeting.
Bruce mentioned the story of his daughter’s  friend that tragically died due to an overdose of unidentified fentanyl.
The Narcan nasal dose counteracts narcotics and is available free to anyone after completing a brief training. UHNA will investigate how we can support and implement Narcan availability in the community.

1. Thank sponsors: ​

On Monday, May 20th, the zoning rewrite consulting team will unveil the first draft of the new ordinance at the first of several meetings to discuss.
RSVP for the zoning rewrite event hosted by the Department of City Planning.

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Abundant Housing Atlanta are also hosting a debrief ‘happy hour’, to discuss the proposal, and have put together a handy guide.
“join us across the street afterwards at Three Taverns Imaginarium for drinks and debriefing! We’ll discuss what we heard during the Zoning 2.0 event and chat about next steps.”
RSVP for the Zoning 2.0 Debrief Happy Hour here!“

There are just four days left before early voting ends on Friday – or vote at your precinct on Election Day next Tuesday May 21. 
Atlanta Civic Circle partnered with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to launch Georgia Decides, an interactive voter guide for the May 21 general primary election. Find out who is on your ballot and how they responded to the candidate questionnaires. (enter your address and choose whether you want a Republican, Democratic or nonpartisan ballot). 
Use this link to find where and when you can vote early through May 17: 
Fulton County