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 8, 2021

New Municipal Court Judge

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed Teresa A. Mann to serve on the Atlanta Municipal Court. Judge Mann will fill a vacancy on the court due to the passing of Judge Leigh DuPre earlier this year.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Appoints Teresa A. Mann to Atlanta Municipal Court (press release)

Monday, October 11

10:00am – Atlanta Housing Commission Meeting
11:00am – Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee Meeting
2:00pm – Atlanta City Council Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee Meeting
4:00pm – Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board
7:00pm – NPU V and NPU X

Tuesday, October 12

9:00am – DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting
12:00pm – Joint Development Authority of Metropolitan Atlanta (JDAMA) Quarterly Meeting
10:00am – Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Community Development & Human Services Committee Meeting
6:30pm – NPU L

Wednesday, October 13

8:30am – Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
9:30am – Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm – Atlanta Urban Design Commission Hearing
6:00pm – Atlanta City Design Book Discussion
6:00pm – Atlanta BeltLine Subarea 4 Master Plan Update Meeting
7:00pm – NPU T

Thursday, October 14

10:00am – Fulton County Board of Elections & Registration Meeting
12:00pm – Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment Hearing
12:00pm – MARTA Board of Directors Working Session
1:00pm – Atlanta Fulton Recreation Authority (AFCRA) Community Recreation Special Project Committee Meeting
1:00pm – Invest Atlanta & Urban Redevelopment Finance Authority (URFA) Housing Committee Meetings
1:30pm – MARTA Board of Directors Meeting
2:00pm – Invest Atlanta Tax Allocation District (TAD) Project and Policy Review Committee Meeting
3:30pm – Invest Atlanta Economic Development Committee Meeting
4:00pm – Atlanta BeltLine Subarea 4 Master Plan Update Design Workshop
4:30pm – DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections Meeting
5:30pm – Atlanta Citizen Review Board Meeting
6:00pm – Atlanta Zoning Review Board Meeting

Saturday, October 16

9:00am – Atlanta BeltLine Subarea 4 Master Plan Update Design Workshop
10:00am – Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (APAB)

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.

Z-21-74 (amended)

Fact Sheet (amended)

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.

Z-21-85

Fact Sheet