Zoning Code Overhaul Presented To City Leaders

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SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- As it enters into its next decade of incorporation, the city of Sandy Springs is not only thinking about what changes need to be made to its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, but also what can be done to improve its zoning code.

The City Council last week first look at some "big ideas" needed to address issues in the current code.

Assistant City Manager Jim Tolbert added that the presentation, given by Lee Einsweiler of Code Studio, was just a diagnostic report of the city's code and "we haven't gotten close" to applying those ideas to city policy.

Einsweiler said the document presented March 29 was “informed by a series of community tours.” Those stakeholder meetings, he added, were a valuable asset in his team's quest to come up with possible solutions.

Even if nothing else is changed from a public policy perspective, Einsweiler added tweaks such as improved definitions, eliminating of conflicting codes and the adding graphics and tables will still be beneficial to the city in the long run.

“No matter what, we are going to get an improved work product," he added.

Some of the recommendations put forth by the team include:

• implementing a code that will help the city carry out concepts envisioned in small area plans (Powers Ferry Road, PCID, etc.) spelled out during the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan update strategy sessions;
  
• developing guidelines that would ward off additional rezonings or variances in protected neighborhoods (areas where change would be considered undesirable).
• creating separate zoning districts for the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, City Springs and Roswell Road areas;
• eliminating outdated conditions of zoning;
• renaming zoning districts for protected neighborhoods;
• delete inactive zoning districts such as AG-1;
• refining and updating the definition of accessory structures in single family residential zoning districts;
• setting up rules for building types to improve quality in evolving (places where redevelopment should occur to provide high-quality housing) areas;
• requiring open spaces or other outdoor amenity areas for townhome designs; and
• renaming zoning districts in opportunity areas (existing commercial areas where reinvestment could occur) to indicate intensity;

One area of concern expressed by some members of the Council is the desire by some to clear-cut a single-family lot in a protected neighborhood to accommodate a significantly larger home in that same spot.

This, according to Councilman Tibby DeJulio, has led to the land value of those homes to skyrocket, thus pricing some younger families out.

“I don’t think we want to be a community of tear downs," he said, adding he didn't want the city to become an area filled with "McMansions."

Einsweiler said the city could consider changes that would call for protecting trees on the property as well as adding rules that could regulate the bulk or mass of a house.

Mayor Rusty Paul stated the presentation was a good start for the city to consider. He noted Sandy Springs often has developers coming into the city asking for more density than what they need because they know they will have to compromise with adjacent property owners and city leaders.

Paul said he wants the city to get out of that process, which forces elected officials to make land-use decisions based upon what the city attorney can defend in court.

"And that always ends up with bad results," he said.

You can view the rest of the proposal here.

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Image via Shutterstock