By Michael Thompson
Neighborhood Planning Unit-B had a lighter attendance than usual—possibly due to no new update reports on the BeltLine for the month—but dealt with a number of zoning applications.
“This is the first time in a while we have nothing new to report on the Bleltine,” said Jeff Shell, chairperson of NPU-B. Only about 20 people attended the meeting at the Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church on Peachtree Road at East Wesley.
Buckhead Avenues Development Co., LLC sought a special use permit to operate a hotel at 3135 Peachtree Road, but this application was deferred until the next meeting, pending more time for the NPU-B committee and board to assess the application.
The application is just one of many that are moving through NPU-B in conjunction with The Streets of Buckhead redevelopment project, which is one of the largest ever dealt with by the NPU board and it is just beginning to take shape.
The NPU-B officers are dealing with each and every application for the development carefully and with full analysis.
The main business of the evening, however, concerned a number of residential rezoning applications, with a several residents requesting reductions in side and front yard setbacks at their residence and having those approved by the board.
Cecelia Harris, Courtney Jones and Joe McCurdy, residents of Garden HIlls and Peachtree Hills all had their rezoning application approved 23-0.
Laura Rhodes, a resident at 2533 Habersham Road in Peachtree Heights West was denied a variance to reduce side yard setbacks from 15 feet to 5 feet 8 inches, so she could put in a garage and guest house to her existing single-family residence .
She did this after she was denied at changing the setback from 15 feet to 3 feet, and took the opportunity to appeal the original decision with new dimensions for the project at her house.
The Atlanta International School sought to amend its site plan amendment at 2890 North Fulton Drive, which was pending from prior meetings of NPU-B and dealt with numerous zoning issues. They were all approved with a 23-0 vote.
The AquaKnox, a new club at 3280 Peachtree Road received its liquor license, as did the Havana Club at 3112 Piedmont Road and the Exxon Food Mart at 635 Lindbergh Drive.
Jessica Lavandier, the city planner assigned to NPUB, reminded those in attendance that the NPU election of officers is due on or before Nov. 30. “All NPU’s have to have their local elections in and results to us by Nov. 30 of this year for the next calendar year,” she said.
No word on when NPU-B’s elections will take place, but Lavandier said she beleives they will occur at next month’s meetings.