Sandy Springs Leaders Adopt Interim Development Guidelines

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Sandy Springs, GA -- The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday adopted a set of interim guidelines that will set expectations related to land use, density, parking, public space and the quality of projects for those wishing to rezone property or apply for a use permit within the city.

The provisional guidelines are intended to assist until updates to the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan are completed in early fall 2016.

The guidelines focus on requests for rezonings and use permits in the downtown -- City Center -- area, Perimeter Center and portions of the Roswell Road corridor. The guidelines are an interpretation of the goals of the Council as stated in the Comprehensive Plan for the city, the City Center Master Plan and numerous conversations between the City Council, staff and community.

The recommended standards define density expectations around mass transit, and mixed-use zoning must provide an alternate use of retail, hotel or office (not associated with leasing of the residential property or intended primarily for the use of residents of the property).

The guidelines also encourage the incorporation of public art, attractive and effective wayfinding signage and sidewalk widths that encourage walking.

Sandy Springs began the process to update its Comprehensive Land Use Plan this past summer with a series of public input meetings, which continued into the fall. Branded The Next Ten, the consultant assisting the city is expected to provide its initial set of feedback reports in January 2016.

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