Community Corner
UPDATED: Zoning Review Board Votes to Support 800 Glenwood Place Zoning Change Proposal
The vote almost certainly sets the stage for a lawsuit filing against the city.
DOWNTOWN — After more than an hour of debate, the Atlanta Zoning Review Board voted Thursday to support a legislative proposal to change the zoning designation of the 800 Glenwood Place site in Grant Park.
The vote — 2 for, 1 against and two abstentions — is the latest in what's been nearly a year-long battle between the Grant Park neighborhood and Fuqua Development LP which is seeking to develop the land and LaFarge North America, the property's current owner.
The recommendation to approve the zoning change from Industrial to high-density, residential-mixed use now goes to the Atlanta City Council's Zoning Committee for review.
But the vote almost certainly sets the stage for a lawsuit filing against the city if the the zoning change is ultimately upheld by the full City Council and signed by the mayor.
Some 631 people packed the council chambers at City Hall — a record, according to city staff — to hear the discussion on the site, which is near the corner of Bill Kennedy Way and Glenwood Avenue and faces Jackson High School.
Most of those in attendance were in support of the legislative proposal crafted by Atlanta Councilwoman Carla Smith, whose District 1 includes the Grant Park community.
Attorneys representing Fuqua and LaFarge spoke out against the proposal, arguing that just because residents don't want it, doesn't mean they can change the zoning after the fact.
The attorneys noted the planning department staff recommended that the Zoning Review Board vote against Smith's proposal.
As designed, Fuqua's plans for the 20-acre site calls for developing 197,590 square feet of retail and parking for 1,201 motor vehicles.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., is considered to be the anchor tenant.
The attorney for LaFarge North America, the concrete and asphalt maker which owns the site, said the city has already given a special administrative use permit and demolition permit to proceed.
Trying to change the zoning in an attempt to block the project leaves them with no alternative but to begin preparations for a lawsuit, he said.
At the crux of his argument, and that of the attorney representing Fuqua, is the current zoning allows for a project of this scope.
What's more, the current industrial designation doesn't allow for Fuqua's project to include a residential component because of its proximity to I-20.
And, they added if Smith's zoning proposal were to be approved, Fuqua's project as currently proposed couldn't be built if the project is somehow rejected and te company has to resubmit another application.
Supporters of the legislation said it's necessary because as proposed, the project doesn't conform to the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay, which governs the types of development that impact properties touching it.
Fuqua has faced plenty of opposition from the Grant Park neighborhood and residents of ajoining Glenwood Park and Ormewood Park.
Twice the city's planning office has rejected Fuqua's plans, citing it did not conform to several development guidelines that govern the site, including the Atlanta BeltLine.
Residents' chief objections aren't necessarily against a redevelopment of the site. Rather, the main concern has been what they said is the project's non-compliance with those guidelines.
What has had residents concerned is the scale of the project and that it doesn't conform to existing development guidelines covering the zone that includes the site.
The vote — 2 for, 1 against and two abstentions — is the latest in what's been nearly a year-long battle between the Grant Park neighborhood and Fuqua Development LP which is seeking to develop the land and LaFarge North America, the property's current owner.
The recommendation to approve the zoning change from Industrial to high-density, residential-mixed use now goes to the Atlanta City Council's Zoning Committee for review.
But the vote almost certainly sets the stage for a lawsuit filing against the city if the the zoning change is ultimately upheld by the full City Council and signed by the mayor.
Some 631 people packed the council chambers at City Hall — a record, according to city staff — to hear the discussion on the site, which is near the corner of Bill Kennedy Way and Glenwood Avenue and faces Jackson High School.
Most of those in attendance were in support of the legislative proposal crafted by Atlanta Councilwoman Carla Smith, whose District 1 includes the Grant Park community.
Attorneys representing Fuqua and LaFarge spoke out against the proposal, arguing that just because residents don't want it, doesn't mean they can change the zoning after the fact.
The attorneys noted the planning department staff recommended that the Zoning Review Board vote against Smith's proposal.
As designed, Fuqua's plans for the 20-acre site calls for developing 197,590 square feet of retail and parking for 1,201 motor vehicles.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., is considered to be the anchor tenant.
The attorney for LaFarge North America, the concrete and asphalt maker which owns the site, said the city has already given a special administrative use permit and demolition permit to proceed.
Trying to change the zoning in an attempt to block the project leaves them with no alternative but to begin preparations for a lawsuit, he said.
At the crux of his argument, and that of the attorney representing Fuqua, is the current zoning allows for a project of this scope.
What's more, the current industrial designation doesn't allow for Fuqua's project to include a residential component because of its proximity to I-20.
And, they added if Smith's zoning proposal were to be approved, Fuqua's project as currently proposed couldn't be built if the project is somehow rejected and te company has to resubmit another application.
Supporters of the legislation said it's necessary because as proposed, the project doesn't conform to the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay, which governs the types of development that impact properties touching it.
Fuqua has faced plenty of opposition from the Grant Park neighborhood and residents of ajoining Glenwood Park and Ormewood Park.
Twice the city's planning office has rejected Fuqua's plans, citing it did not conform to several development guidelines that govern the site, including the Atlanta BeltLine.
Residents' chief objections aren't necessarily against a redevelopment of the site. Rather, the main concern has been what they said is the project's non-compliance with those guidelines.
What has had residents concerned is the scale of the project and that it doesn't conform to existing development guidelines covering the zone that includes the site.
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