CCI Policy Updates: October 15, 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 15, 2021
City Council Legislation
The Atlanta City Council will meet on Monday to vote on $2 million in funding for park improvements in underserved areas, $4 million for renovations for police precincts and fire stations, and $3.5 million for housing people experiencing homelessness. The council will also vote on studies related to providing a “housing wage” for City employees who’d like to live in the city and creating an “Office of Nighttime Economy and Safety.”
Gulch/Centennial Yards Deal Finalized
On Thursday, the City of Atlanta and Los Angeles-based developer CIM Group signed paperwork to finalize the proposed redevelopment of “the Gulch” as “Centennial Yards.” The City and State have provided a controversial set of financial incentives worth approximately $2 billion. CIM Group presented a $33.5 million check the City intends to use primarily for affordable housing and workforce development.
What the Gulch incentives development deal got for Atlanta (Axios)
Atlanta receives $33 million from Centennial Yards to invest in housing, jobs (AJC)
Public Safety Training Center Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee
The advisory committee created to provide community input into the City’s planned public safety training center met for the first time on Tuesday. The meeting was criticized for being announced with less than 24-hours notice and not including environmental groups.
Election Lawsuit Dismissed
A State Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday filed by Donald Trump supporters who sought to inspect Fulton County’s absentee ballots from last year’s presidential election. On Tuesday, the Secretary of State’s investigators told the court they were unable to find any counterfeit ballots.
Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking a deep inspection of Georgia ballots (AJC)
Beltline Southside Trail Opened
The first segment of the Atlanta Beltline’s Southside Trail is now open to the public. This 0.8-mile mixed-use path runs from the existing Westside Trail at the end of University Avenue to Pittsburgh Yards, just west of the I-75/85 Connector.
New Atlanta BeltLine segment linking Peoplestown and Pittsburgh (11 Alive)
Opportunities to Engage Next Week:
Saturday, October 16
Monday, October 18
1:00pm – Atlanta City Council Meeting
3:00pm – Invest Atlanta, URFA, and DDA Finance Committee Meetings
5:30pm – Atlanta Board of Education (APS) District 2 Community Meeting
Tuesday, October 19
9:00am – Development Authority of Fulton County Special Meeting: Strategic Planning Session Retreat
4:45pm – City of Atlanta Tree Conservation Commission Business Meeting
6:30pm – NPU K
Wednesday, October 20
10:00am – City of Atlanta Housing Commission: Policy and Best Practices Committee Meeting
6:30pm – City of Atlanta Tree Conservation Commission Appeal Hearing
7:00pm – NPU I
Thursday, October 21
6:00pm – City of Atlanta Zoning Review Board
Other Upcoming and On-Going Opportunities
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
Final four Atlanta schools picked for park upgrades in pilot project (AJC)
150 neighborhoods say Atlanta's proposed long-range development plan is unlawful (SaportaReport)
Rent Rises, Causing a Financial Burden For Residents (The Atlanta Voice)
More than 100 students locked out of Atlanta high school for not having ID (WSB TV)
Atlanta Public Schools hosts Mayoral Candidate Forum (The Atlanta Voice)
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.