In order to promote a healthy discussion and spark some ideas amongst residents about the issue, below are some questions suggested by Eva Nason and Eugen Gassmann which might be raised Monday night when the developer for the proposed 1990 Defoor high-density apartment complex will be present at the UHNA meeting.  This list is no way exhaustive or should present any bias towards the proposal in any way and is in addition to the previous blog post exciting-or-frightening-you-decide.html  Please bring any others you might have.  
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Questions to be covered during the Underwood Hills General Meeting on Monday, August 14, 7pm  @ Round Trip Brewing Company, 1279 Seaboard Industrial Boulevard Northwest, Atlanta, GA and on Zoom.

1.   What conditions can be put in place to assure that if this developer doesn't build to this plan, then we don't get something less desirable?  The developer has said the property will not be bought without the rezoning being in place.  What if he then decides to not develop?

2.   What attempts have been made to discover what it would be like to live next to their relevant stretch of railroad tracks to assure that they are asking for this rezoning based on conclusive evidence that this can be a successful development in spite of its location at the railroad tracks?  Have they acquired enough information about the noise situation?

3.   What specific measures do they plan to incorporate into their buildings to serve as noise abatement?

4.   What justification can be given for this development being in a high-density category when everything around this location is less densely developed?  If it is going to be argued that there is a special circumstance because of the location of this property, then could we state in the rezoning ordinance that the high density allowed for this piece of property is because of this special circumstance and should not serve as precedent for surrounding properties?

5.   What can be done to assure the site is developed in such a way as to not cut off the possibility of a pedestrian bridge being able to go from this site across the railroad tracks to The Works, that is, not have buildings situated so as to prevent this possibility at some future date? 

6.   What influence can we have on the manner in which the substantial Development Impact Fees for this project will be used? 

7.   What mutually beneficial concessions might the developer be willing to grant us as supporters of his development?  
 
Ben Hudgins, the chairperson for the Land Use/Zoning Committee for UHNA, has issued some cautions.  Regarding the article on 1990 Defoor presented in the printed newsletter sent through the mail to many UH residents, he has suggested that, although the article provides a good overview, we should not assume that this development is inevitable.  He mentions that it is only proposed and has many hurdles such as the rezoning effort involving general public participation and input from City Council as well as the challenges of the present tough capital market situation and the unfavorable development and construction climate.  He concludes his cautions by saying he doesn't want folks to think this development is "already entitled or that it has already been determined that it will happen."