Council Member Feedback Requested on Perimeter Center Overlay Draft
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The Council for Quality Growth requests member feedback on the City of Dunwoody's Perimeter Center Overlay and Districts draft. The Council has reviewed the draft in conjunction with several Council members to prepare a list of comments for City staff to consider. The Council has been involved with this overlay planning process since its initial kick-off in May 2014 and continues to work closely with the City's Community Development staff to revise the draft before going to City Council later this Spring.
Upon initial review, the Council for Quality Growth identified several components of the draft that could have an impact on development potential in the Perimeter Center area. A table is provided below, which highlights the major changes found in the new draft. The Council kindly requests that members review the overlay and districts draft and offer comments in the attached table in order to provide additional feedback to the City. To view the Council's Comments and provide feedback on the draft Overlay, Click HERE
The Council for Quality Growth expresses their appreciation to Council members for their input and to the City of Dunwoody for their dedication to developing an overlay that promotes balanced and responsible growth for their community.
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Council Hosts General Manager of Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, Glenn Page
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On Wednesday, February 17th, General Manager of Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA), Glenn Page gave a very informative presentation to the Cobb Advisory Committee. He discussed the authority's record for quality and service, the growth and improvements that have been put in place, and what challenges they are facing while planning for future capacity.
The CCMWA serves 900,000 people in Cobb, Paulding and parts of Cherokee County. They operate two water treatment plants, two water pumping stations, eight storage tanks and the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir Project. Page discussed the uncertainty surrounding planning for future capacity and demand. CCMWWA is the only water authority that draws water from both the ACF and ACT river basins, both of which are in ongoing litigation with Florida, Alabama and the US Corps of Engineers. Mitigation between Georgia and Florida is currently underway, however, until the litigation is resolved planning how much water supply will be available from where will continue to be uncertain.
Another obstacle to future planning is the proposed Richland Creek Reservoir Project in Paulding County. With expected completion in 2020, this reservoir will supply water for all of Paulding County, removing their need to continue to purchase water from CCMWA. This decreased demand will only continue as our region continues to prioritize conservation and increased development density. Projections show that water demand per capita will continue to decrease from today's 135 gallons per capita daily (gpcd) to 86 gpcd in 2050. Page explained that even with major population growth in Cobb County and the CCMWA service areas, the current system capacity will remain at a sufficient surplus into year 2050.
Page also provided updates on capital improvement projects currently underway including the Highway 41 tunnel and Southwest Connector along Terrel Mill Road. To view the full presentation, click HERE
The Council thanks Glenn Page for his excellent presentation to the Cobb Advisory Committee and Council Member McWhirter Realty Partners for sponsoring the meeting.
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Council Provides Public Comment on Cobb County Code Amendments
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The Cobb County Board of Commissioners will hold the final public hearing on proposed code amendments on Tuesday, February 23. The proposed package includes major changes to residential senior living development regulations. The Council for Quality Growth has been in attendance at the prior two public hearings to express support for some of the proposed amendments as well as shed light on amendments that could hinder quality development in Cobb County. To view the letter submitted by the Council, click HERE
The revised code amendment package followed one of the recommendations requested by the Council for Quality Growth to remove the proposed zoning code amendment which would require noise and visual abatement measures around all non-residentially zoned property when adjacent to or nearby residentially zoned property. The revised package; however, did not include the recommended changes to the Residential Senior Living Districts. The proposed amendments will eliminate the current CCRC classification (Continuing Care Retirement Community) and amend the RSL (Residential Senior Living) Supportive and Nonsupportive classifications. The Council is concerned that the proposed amendments to the RSL districts do not sufficiently provide for the development of high quality assisted living and senior housing developments that are possible with the current CCRC zoning. The proposed changes limit density and restrict development to specific areas in the County, which could in turn affect affordability and access to healthcare and amenities for residents. Some of these changes include reducing height restrictions from 4 and 5 stories to just two stories, reducing the maximum allowable units, and restricting the developments to Activity Centers outside of residential neighborhoods. These restrictions could make developing senior housing in Cobb County overly cost prohibitive and create a major barrier to County residents' ability to 'age in place.'
The Council for Quality Growth continues to work with the Board of Commissioners and County Community Development Staff to address these concerns and will be in attendance at the final public hearing, which will occur next Tuesday, February 23rd at 7 pm in the Board of Commissioners meeting room at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta.
To view the revised code amendment package, click HERE
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Council Seeks New Membership Services and Operations Manager
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The Council for Quality Growth is seeking a qualified individual to fill the Membership Services and Operations Manager Position. The Membership Services and Operations Manager plays an integral role in delivering high value to our members. Additionally, as a member of a small team, this individual's management and coordination of operational activities is vital to the execution of Council programs, initiatives, and day to day office functionality.
Please pass this description along to qualified candidates and contact Amanda Janaskie, Director of Membership and Programs at aj@councilforqualitygrowth.org with questions.
Click HERE to view the full job description and apply.
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ARC Awards LCI Study Grants to Nine Metro Atlanta Communities
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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $800,000 in Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) study grants to nine metro Atlanta communities (including Four CIDs and six cities) and $12 million in transportation funding to 11 other communities that have previously implemented completed LCI studies. Cities receiving funding include Smyrna, College Park, Hapeville, Jonesborro, Doraville and Chamblee, and CIDs include Council members Buckhead CID, Gwinnett Place CID and Gwinnett Village CID as well as newly formed Little Five Points CID. The Council is pleased to congratulate these organizations and communities on their achievement.
Council for Quality Growth Policy Analyst, Chelsea Hagood served on this year's LCI Selection Committee. The Council has been a long-time supporter of the LCI program and the major investments in smart, quality growth it has enabled across the Atlanta metro region. ince LCI began in 2000, 112 communities have received more than $197 million in planning and implementation grants. LCI communities cover less than four percent of the region's land area, but contain seven percent of its recent residential development, 29 percent of its recent commercial development and 69 percent of its recent office development.
Click HERE to read the full ARC press release listing all awarded projects.
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Council's Quality Growth Institute Releases Transit White Paper
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The Council for Quality Growth, Tuesday at the Senate Transportation Finance Committee hearing for Senate Bill 330, the "MARTA" expansion legislation, released, under the Council's Quality Growth Institute, our white paper entitled, "Transit and its Impact on Property Values and Economic Development, Vol. 1".
We encourage Council Members, Elected Officials and Staff to review the 1st Edition of the Council's White Paper.
Click HERE to read the full paper.
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Council's Emerging Leaders Initiative Launches this Month!
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The Council is launching a new program that will Educate, Engage and Empower the Emerging Leaders within the Metro Atlanta area's growth and development industry - the Emerging Leaders Initiative.
ELI members will explore the industry through events lead by senior executives from engineering companies, developers, law firms, CIDs, utilities and other industry sectors. ELI will allow emerging leaders to expand their networks, plus knowledge of the development industry and regional policy issues. The Council wants ELI to equip our members with the depth and breadth of connections and information so that they are prepared to serve as the leaders of tomorrow.
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Council Hosts Atlanta Regional Commission's, Mike Alexander at North Fulton Advisory
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At the North Fulton Advisory meeting on Friday, February 5th, recently named the Director of ARC's Center for Livable Communities, Mike Alexander gave a dynamic overview of the demographic and economic outlook for North Fulton County.
Mike Alexander led a data-driven discussion on Metro Atlanta's strengths like overall job growth, particularly in Atlanta and North Fulton, as well as weaknesses like transit and wage growth. He also gave demographic overviews for each city in North Fulton. Interestingly, Sandy Springs has more residents age 20-29 than any other age group while John's Creek has fewer residents age 20-29 than any other age group in the City. He also discussed how North Fulton communities have become increasingly more diverse and the ARC's projections show that this trend will continue as the metro area grows.
Click HERE to download the full presentation and editable data set
North Fulton Advisory Committee Members discussed policy issues facing North Fulton Communities that could inhibit quality growth and development, such as the recent moratorium announced in Roswell and the Sandy Springs proposal to require developers to bear the cost of burying power lines on all permitted projects. Advisory Committee members discussed how, in light of the data presented regarding the future of North Fulton, policies and decision makers must work to actively support quality development that meets the needs of today's and future residents.
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TSW's Bill Tunnell Talks Smart Medium-Density Development Practices at Cherokee Advisory
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On Wednesday, February 10th, Founding Principal at TSW, Bill Tunnell, spoke to the Cherokee Advisory Committee. Tunnell's presentation focused on providing design and development solutions for "the Missing Middle" or middle density communities. He explained that metro Atlanta has expertise and experience developing urban centers and residential subdivisions, but tend to struggle with understanding and codifying developments that fall in the middle.
Tunnell described how these developments can take the form of "Pocket Neighborhoods," where several houses on smaller lots surround a shared community greenspace. Tunnell showed the group how larger subdivision lots can be retrofitted for three or more of the smaller 'mew' lots around a central greenspace. Developers have also found that land cost savings from building on the smaller lots allow the home product to have more upgrades and high quality materials and design at the same price point as a traditional single family home. TSW has worked on several of these "middle density" housing developments in Cherokee County and across the region including Woodstock, Cobb Town Center, Marietta and City of Atlanta.
Tunnell also highlighted municipalities in the region that are taking steps toward codifying pocket neighborhoods and smaller multifamily developments that provide medium density housing. Cities like Decatur and Alpharetta have adopted codes that allow for these types developments. Cherokee County Community Development Director, Jeff Watkins, brought up that the County has had success with conservation subdivisions and hopes that these development trends will continue to gain momentum regionally and in Cherokee.
To view the full presentation, click HERE
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Council Member Feedback Requested on Sandy Springs Underground Utilities Proposal
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The City of Sandy Springs is proposing and ordinance amendment that would require underground installation of utilities on any development projects in the City. This would apply to the installation of new utilities as well as existing utilities located on the property being developed or in the adjacent right of way.The Council is concerned for the potential economic impact this requirement may have in terms of delays and overall development cost.
The proposed amendment was discussed at the City Council work session on January 5th and is expected to go before City Council next month. The Council for Quality Growth has concerns and will be in attendance at the meeting and appreciates any member feedback that can be incorporated to further quantify the impact this requirement would have on your current, planned or past projects in Sandy Springs or the surrounding area. Please contact Policy Analyst, Chelsea Hagood at ch@councilforqualitygrowth.org or 770-813-3374 with any comments or questions.
To view the proposed ordinance amendment, Click HERE.
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February 18th, 2016
What are Council Members saying about their investment in the Council for Quality Growth?
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UPCOMING EVENTS!
Contact
770-813-3381, for sponsorship information.
 SAVE THE DATE The Council is hosting SEVEN State of the County events this year! Save the date for more details to come for:
Clayton State of the County March 30, 11:30 AM
Fulton State of the County April 28, 11:30 AM
Forsyth State of the County May 19, 11:30 AM |
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