A recent scandal and leadership changes have produced an almost unprecedented decision by the Development Authority of Fulton County.
"The Development Authority of Fulton County (DAFC) on Tuesday shot down a proposed tax break for luxury housing along the Atlanta Beltline and voted to overhaul the governance of its board," reports J. Scott Trubey. According to Trubey, DAFC's rejection of a $4.5 million subsidy for Fairfield Residential "reflects a changing of the guard for the controversial agency," because DAFC has been "long criticized as a rubberstamp that grants lucrative tax breaks for projects in well-off parts of the county."
"Earlier this month, an AJC analysis showed DAFC gave preliminary or final approval to more than $328 million in tax breaks since the beginning of 2018, with the overwhelming majority going to projects in hot markets like Buckhead, Midtown and the length of the Beltline loop," writes Trubey.
Following a 4-4 deadlock on the Fairfield Residential tax break, the DAFC also voted to overhaul the governance of its board. All of this follows a series of investigative reports by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealing "a culture of loose financial oversight at DAFC under the leadership of former chairman Bob Shaw."
"Shaw resigned from the board and in recent months four new members have joined," adds Trubey.
More details on the Fairfield Residential project, which had been previously granted preliminary approval for its tax break, and the recent changes of the DAFC board can be found in the source article below.
Read the full story: Fulton development authority quashes incentive for Beltline project
Three Years of Inclusionary Zoning Nets More Affordable Housing, Multi-Family Development in Atlanta
The city of Atlanta has released an analysis of the first three years of an Inclusionary Zoning policy for neighborhoods around the Beltline.
How Did Cities Boost Affordable Housing in 2017?
Affordability is elusive in many of America's cities, but some of them made concrete efforts to fight that trend in 2017.
Atlanta Beltline’s free automated shuttle expands service
A $1.75 million grant funded the autonomous shuttle service’s growth.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance
The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello