CCI Policy Updates: October 29, 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 29, 2021

Comprehensive Development Plan Adopted

The Atlanta City Council adopted the City’s state-mandated 2021 Comprehensive Development Plan at a special meeting on Thursday. The plan originally included progressive planning reforms to increase residential density intending to promote housing affordability. Those changes were removed from the final plan following public opposition.

2021 Atlanta Comprehensive Development Plan

Atlanta's Comprehensive Development Plan Amendment Adopted, but Future Growth Discussions Persist (What Now Atlanta)

Center for Diversion and Services

On Monday the Atlanta City Council will meet to vote on legislation that was approved in committee this past week. Included is a proposal to create a Center for Diversion and Services pilot program at the Atlanta City Detention Center in partnership with Fulton County as an ​​alternative to incarceration for those experiencing poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, or mental health issues.

On the Agenda: Atlanta City Council Significant Legislative Items for Monday, Nov. 1 (press release)

Public Safety Training Center Updated

The Community Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the Public Safety Training Center held its second meeting on Tuesday and reviewed a revised site plan prepared by the Atlanta Police Foundation. The new plan reduces the training center complex to the 85 acres of the 380-acre agreed to by the Atlanta City Council in September.

Public safety training center gets revised plan, call for broader environmental review (Saporta Report)

Municipal Election

Early voting for the City of Atlanta’s 2021 municipal election ends on Friday, October 29. Polls will be open on Election Day – Tuesday, November 2 – from 7:00am until 8:00pm. Voters will decide on the city’s next mayor, city council president, council members, school board members, municipal court judges, and two ballot measures related to property and sales taxes for education funding.

Opportunities to Engage Next Week:

Monday, November 1

• 1:00pm – Atlanta City Council Meeting

• 4:00pm – Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board

• 4:00pm – Atlanta City Studio Presents Broad Strokes on Broad Street: An Outdoor Art Exhibit

• 6:30pm – Atlanta BeltLine Northside Study Group Meeting

• 7:00pm – NPU P

Tuesday, November 2

• Election Day – polls are open from 7:00am until 8:00pm in the City of Atlanta

• 6:30pm – NPU E

• 7:00pm – NPU A, NPU B, and NPU C

Wednesday, November 3

• 10:00am – Fulton County Board of Commissioners Meeting

• 4:00pm – Atlanta Urban Design Commission Special Called Meeting

• 6:00pm – Atlanta Zoning Ideas Labs 1: Background / Existing Atlanta Patterns

• 7:00pm – NPU R

Thursday, November 4

• 12:00pm – Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment Hearing

• 4:00pm – Atlanta City Studio Presents: Broad Strokes on Broad Street: Panel Discussion

• 5:30pm – Atlanta Citizen Review Board Meeting

• 6:00pm – Atlanta Zoning Review Board Public Hearing

• 6:30pm – Atlanta BeltLine Southeast Study Group Meeting

• 7:00pm – NPU H 

Friday, November 5

• 10:00am – Fulton County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting

Other Opportunities:

Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The Department of Parks and Recreation has begun the public comment period for the Activate ATL: Recreation and Parks for All Comprehensive Master Plan. The plan is available for review online at https://www.activate-atl.com. Activate ATL is a comprehensive parks and recreation system plan that provides recommendations for provision of facilities, programs and services; parkland acquisition and development; maintenance and operations; and administration and management over the next ten years. Comments are welcome through November 19th. Activate ATL will be presented during the CDHS Quarterly CDP Public Hearing on November 29th. Send comments via the website, email to activate-atl@atlantaga.gov.

Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Z-21-85 An Ordinance by Zoning Committee to amend the 1982 Atlanta Zoning Ordinance, as amended, by creating a definition of a “Short-Term Rental” and to allow a short-term rental as a use in certain zoning districts.

Fact Sheet 

What We’re Reading:

• ARC Shifts Course on Community Engagement through Arts and Culture (Atlanta Regional Commission)

• Across Atlanta, plans move forward to add 10,000 more streetlights (Urbanize Atlanta)

• Plantlanta 2021: Trees Atlanta volunteers to plan 800 trees Nov. 5-6 (Reporter Newspapers)

• Civil rights groups propose redistricting maps that reflect the state's growing diversity (Atlanta Civic Circle)

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.