Norman Castle Invades Atlanta Neighborhood As McMansion Moratorium Ends

In Atlanta, loosely written zoning regulations allow large houses to be built on small lots. City Councilwoman Mary Norwood convinced Mayor Shirley Franklin to impose a moratorium on infill development in four Atlanta neighborhoods; however, the City Council's Zoning Committee defeated the measure. Norwood claims that super-sized houses destroy the ambiance of neighborhoods and can depress existing home values. According to her: "Some people say this isn't a crisis. I say this is a crisis."