The City is going to great lengths to gather community input into the new Zoning Code. The code will have a fundamental impact on our properties, development and community character, so it's important that all residents provide feedback on the proposals.
Several Public meetings are planned over the coming months, but even if you cannot attend a meeting you can read the code and submit comments online.

Courtesy Debra Wathen, Chairman, Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods (UHNA is a member of BCN)
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Tuesday night’s zoning meeting went through quite a bit of information at a very fast pace.  

The meeting introduced Module 1 which covers regulations related to property form and use.  (Module 2 will Cover Development Standards (Meeting date: September 30) and Module 3 will cover Administration (Meeting date:  December 4.)  
The code document is available on their website and allows for online comments.  (Go to Participate on the home page and it will give you a tutorial on how to make comments on the document).
You should be able to see comments made by others as well.  
The question and answer session for Module 1 will be on July 9th.  
Please see this link for the ATL Zoning Drafts: https://www.atlzoning.konveio.com
 
Or the Home Page; https://atlzoning.com

Please read the code and make comments.  Do not let this overwhelm you; it takes a moment but it all starts to make sense after a minute.  The notes I took at the meeting are below.
My Notes:
With this zoning code, they tried to reflect the unique character of Atlanta and our diverse neighborhoods.  The zoning code is only one part of the regulations that dictate the way a property can be used.  There are also environmental regulations, tree ordinance, stormwater regulations, and the building code, to name a few.  There will be 2 types of Classifications for each property.  There will be a Form and Frontage District and a Use Classification District.  Just as they sound, the Form and Frontage will dictate more of what a property will look like, and the Use will be how that property can be used.  
I took the following points from the presentation. They were moving fast and there were so many more that I could not begin to get it all on paper:
·      All terms will be defined, and their meaning will be the same throughout the code. For instance, gas stations and fuel stations will have one common name.
·      Current zoning classifications will translate to new classifications. Charts are available to follow how the new and old zoning classifications translate. 
·      Standards for regulations related to certain uses such as gas stations, drive-throughs and public storage units will be the same across the city.
·      Neighborhoods can have compatibility across neighborhoods.
·      No changes were made to historic districts except to ensure that terms in the historic district code matched the zoning code terms. 
·      At this time, they are not changing the zoning of any properties with this code.  Those will still need to go through the usual process for changes.
·      No current overlays will change but they will be adding overlays to a few areas.
·      Mixed-use can be any amount of residential and commercial.
·      There will be standards for the amount of windows required in buildings
·      All buildings will be built to the street without front parking lots
·      They increased the setbacks in R-1 to R-3 zoning classifications.
·      R-3 and R-4 will have height compatibility guidelines.
·      R4 and R5 will be allowed 2 Accessory units on the property. 
·      The code will match the average setback in neighborhoods.
·      Some neighborhoods will have height restrictions which include a limit of 2 ½ stories.
·      There are incentives in the code to create alleyways.
·      With Residential Mix, which is multifamily, some will require ground-floor shops.
·      There will be an Industrial Flex zoning which will allow for some industrial within a residential area.  He used the Habitat Building as an example.
·      There will also be classifications of Industrial, Special Districts such as a College Campus and there will even be Park zoning, again, to name a few.
·      There will also be defined classifications of alcohol and vape establishments.  For instance, there will be a distinction between a restaurant, a club, and a bar.  

​Please go to https://atlzoning.com/review-and-comment/ and provide your own thoughts on the proposals.