On April 21st
at Montgomery Elementary School, consultants working for the County
presented an update on their recommendations for a planned code
update to DeKalb's zoning and land use regulations. The presentation
outlined plans to update the code to better reflect the development
and re-development needs of the County.
Descriptions of the new
land use designations like Neighborhood Character, Town Center, and
Activity Center were covered as well as references to efforts to
incorporate regulations to cover design considerations (character and
material used in construction), traffic planning, and increased
transition or buffer areas between land uses.
These and other
recommendations are attempting to implement in the code the intent of
the policies the County Planning Department articulated in its new
Comprehensive Land Use Plan released a little over year ago.
As it stands now, we will
be in the middle of three planned “Town Center” districts:
Brookhaven MARTA (may be an Activity Center – not sure), Lenox
Park, and Buford Hwy Corridor. These districts will encourage
live-work, mix-used developments characterized by higher density
residential and commercial development. With building heights from 3
(on the periphery), to 8 (in the center), to up to 10 stories
(exceptional), these designations will significantly change the
overall character Brookhaven in coming decades.
From a HillsDale
homeowner's perspective, the key thing to be aware of is the precise
boundaries for the proposed districts. For example, as currently
drafted the Buford Hwy Corridor Town Center district would include
land that abuts HillsDale backlots facing Coosawattee.
There will be a 3rd
round of community workshops and HNA will make sure volunteers
participate to help us all stay informed on the matter. You should
consider attending to express you own opinions before the ordinances
are finalized.
Upcoming meetings will be noted in HNA's newsletter
and online at www.HillsDaleNeighborhood.com.
Details regarding the zoning update and process can be found online
at: http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/planning/zoningCode.html.
If you have any questions
or wish to participate in HNA's efforts in this area, please contact
me. -Kim Gokce tel: 404-325-9025
, a 
licensed product.
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