The city is considering zoning updates, including legalization of accessory dwelling units and smaller apartment buildings, which would increase density and provide more housing.
The Atlanta zoning review board recently passed an ordinance that would allow accessory dwelling units in more residential zones and construction of new apartment buildings of four to 12 units, which used to be legal but currently are not permitted. The proposed updates also include elimination of some minimum parking requirements.
Tim Keane, Atlanta’s planning commissioner, says the city’s population is going to increase in coming years and revised zoning regulations are needed. Residents advocating for ADUs say they need more housing choices, including the option to live near family members and in backyard units.
Critics, however, argue that neighborhoods will face a host of issues with the density that these changes will bring. "[NPU-D chair Jim Martin] said he expects that if ADUs were legal, yet more tenants would be packed in. The potential problems, he said, include crime, noise trash and demand for more parking spaces," reports Maggie Lee.
The city council will review the zoning changes next, and the city is also seeking proposals for a zoning ordinance rewrite and update.
FULL STORY: Atlanta considering more room for backyard houses, small apartment buildings, less for parking
NYC Zoning Reform: Where Will It Have an Impact?
The zoning reform package dubbed ‘City of Yes’ will likely yield uneven results, with many of the lowest-density neighborhoods exempted from new regulations.
Pittsburgh Mayor Proposes Zoning Changes to Curb Housing Shortage
The mayor’s plan includes legalizing ADUs in single-family neighborhoods, eliminating parking requirements, and adding new affordability requirements to buildings with over 20 units.
Durham Eliminates Parking Requirements
Another domino has fallen in the parking reform movement.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.
A Missouri Tenant Union’s Fight Against Millennia Housing
In Springfield, Missouri, senior and disabled tenants at one Millennia affordable housing building say they’ve gone about a year without a working elevator, but their organizing has gotten the city to threaten receivership if it's not fixed soon.
Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill
Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada