CCI Policy Updates: October 1, 2021
The Center for Civic Innovation's mission is to increase civic participation and elevate more effective solutions in Atlanta by inspiring people to take action, investing in the work of local community leaders, and advocating for policy change. We believe that informed and civically-engaged residents are the key to making Atlanta the city we all know it can be.
We started this Weekly Policy Update series to provide our community with important and relevant policy updates. Each post recaps the past week and provides a look ahead at what's on the agenda next week, including opportunities for everyone to engage within the community. We hope you’re inspired to take action, support and invest in local community leaders, and advocate for public policy that reflects the needs and voices of everyone who calls Atlanta home.
Policy Update – October 1, 2021
City Hazard Pay Bonus
The Atlanta City Council will vote on Monday whether to resume $500 per month in additional pay to over 5,000 frontline City employees including sworn public safety personnel and civilians performing critical watershed, aviation, solid waste, transportation, inspection, parks and recreation, and other frontline functions. The payments, covered by the federal American Rescue Plan, will last through June 2022.
On the Agenda: Atlanta City Council Significant Legislative Items for Monday, Oct. 4 (press release)
Business License Extension
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reissued an administrative order to not issue citations or impose penalties through October 30th on businesses that have not yet renewed their business licenses this year. The deadline is typically April 1st, but this is the fifth extension this year due to the COVID pandemic.
New Fulton Elections Chair
Former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard has been sworn in as chair of the Fulton County Board of Elections & Registration. Woolard now represents a potentially tie-breaking vote between the board’s two Democratic and two Republican appointees. The elections board chair manages the board, helps decide local polling places, and oversees the election director’s day-to-day operations of elections processes.
Cathy Woolard sworn in as Fulton's elections board chair (AJC)
Buckhead Cityhood Hearings
The State Senate is set to discuss the proposed secession of Buckhead from the City of Atlanta when it convenes for a special session this November focused on redistricting. Proponents are trying to convince the State House to also hold hearings, but the legislation’s sponsor says the General Assembly won’t vote until the regular session next January.
Hearings set for Buckhead cityhood bill during special session, lawmakers say (AJC)
Opportunities to Engage Next Week
Saturday, October 2
8:30am – Atlanta Board of Education (APS) District 1 Community Coffee
4:00pm – Atlanta Design Festival: Placemaking & Vision Zero Bike Tour
Monday, October 4
12:00pm – Atlanta Design Festival: The Future Places Project
1:00pm – Atlanta City Council Meeting
7:00pm – NPU P
Tuesday, October 5
6:00pm – Atlanta City Design book discussion
6:00pm – MARTA Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Meeting
6:30pm – NPU E
Wednesday, October 6
6:00pm – MARTA Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Public Meeting
6:00pm – Zoning Review Board Hearing
7:00pm – NPU R
Thursday, October 7
7:00pm – NPU H
Friday, October 8
2:00pm – Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) Grounds and Facilities Committee Meeting
Saturday, October 9
Other Upcoming and On-Going Opportunities:
RESCHEDULED - The Atlanta City Council Community Development/Human Services (CD/HS) Committee virtual public hearing on the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) is rescheduled for Monday, October 25, at 6pm. City Council will host a special session on October 28 to adopt the CDP by October 31, 2021. The plan is available online at https://www.atlcitydesign.com/2021-cdp. For additional information, email cdp2021@atlantaga.gov.
The Department of City Planning will start the public process for its multi-year Zoning Ordinance rewrite, ATL Zoning 2.0 on November 2, 2021. The project will start with a series of virtual meetings, or “Idea Labs,” which will provide opportunities for the public to learn more about zoning concepts that could potentially shape the new Zoning Ordinance. Topics will include current conditions of Atlanta, transportation networks, sustainability, natural areas in an urban environment, modern development codes, and more. Attendees will also participate in a question and answer period and provide input on ideas that should be explored during the rewrite process. To learn more and register, please visit http://atlzoning.com/idealabs
At NPUs
This month, NPUs throughout the city will be voting on an ordinance by Councilmember Amir Farokhi to amend the City’s zoning ordinance by amending various provisions of the text, including individual zoning district regulations, with regard to: MRMU (Multifamily Residential Multi-Unit) zoning districts, minimum parking requirements, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The intent of the proposed changes is to promote a diversity of housing options and increase housing affordability.
NPUs will also vote on an ordinance by Zoning Committee to amend the City’s zoning ordinance by creating a definition of a “Short-Term Rental” and to allow a short-term rental as a use in certain zoning districts.
What We’re Reading
To make these updates better, we need your input! What was most informative or helpful? What did we miss? Please email us at policy@civicatlanta.org.