PATCH VOICES: On 800 Glenwood, Neighborhoods Have 'Right' Strategy

by Lauren Rocereta and Ana Allain

GRANT PARK — Smart Growth Atlanta, the Grant Park Neighborhood Association and South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development are committed to winning the fight for mixed-use development at 800 Glenwood along the Atlanta BeltLine. Our efforts have successfully carried the day in four battles thus far. Our previous victories demonstrate the merits of our arguments, our strategy and our cause.

The City-approved Special Administrative Permit (SAP) for the 800 Glenwood project Fuqua Development is proposing sets a horrible precedent for future development along our entire Atlanta BeltLine. This is an issue that affects every neighborhood in Atlanta! 

Last week, we lost a battle to appeal the developer's SAP... but the war is not over. We believe the Board of Zoning Adjustment ruled incorrectly on the issue of standing and therefore did not hear all of our arguments detailing why the SAP was issued in error. In the coming days we plan to take our challenge to the next level. Our friends and neighbors from all over Atlanta need to be prepared for the long haul and for it to be a bumpy ride. We will have ups and downs, but in the end we know we have the right strategy.

We welcome your thoughts, your questions and your concerns. We fully understand the passion and interest this effort has generated, and we share your frustration for the events, and of the decision made by the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Oct. 10. We are committed to seeing this effort through. SGA, GPNA and SAND will continue to fight for our neighborhoods and neighborhoods all over Atlanta. We support the BeltLine Master Plans and expect them to become a reality. After all, this is what most of us support and believe in!

Please email questions and comments to Lauren Rocereta, president@gpna.org or Ana Allain, president@sandatlanta.org

Ms. Rocereta and Ms. Allain are presidents of the Grant Park Neighborhood Association and the South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development, respectively.