A Small Corner of an Atlanta Suburb Could Ditch Parking Minimums

The Brookhaven-Peachtree Overlay District will redraw the plans for a MARTA-adjacent part of the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven.

1 minute read

November 12, 2017, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven, located in DeKalb County, is moving forward with the Brookhaven-Peachtree Overlay District, which includes some controversial proposals such as a lack of parking minimums for multi-family developments in some parts of the transit-adjacent plan area.

Dyana Bagby reports on the state of the draft Overlay District as it moves from the city's Planning Commission to a potential vote by the City Council at the end of the month. The draft plan culminates a process launched in February, when the city awarded Atlanta-based urban planning firm TSW with a $135,000 contract to rewrite the Overlay District.

"The Overlay Draft rewrite follows the city’s study of neighborhood character areas that was added to the city’s comprehensive plan this year," according to Bagby. Among the planning policies proposed by the draft Overlay District are a height bonus for open space, increased buffers between residential and commercial developments, and a lack of parking minimums for multi-family developments in one part of plan area.

Friday, November 10, 2017 in Reporter Newspapers

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

"Stage 4" soundstage wall seen through ornate metal gate at Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA

Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

5 hours ago - California Planning & Development Report

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

6 hours ago - Next City

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

7 hours ago - Ohio Capital Journal