The Atlanta City Council approved legislation at its Monday meeting to remove minimum parking requirements in the BeltLine overlay district
The move eliminates required off-street parking lots for commercial and residential projects in the Atlanta BeltLine development area except for the “minimum parking requirements applicable to Commercial Food Preparation, Delivery-based commercial kitchens, and Eating and Drinking Establishments, which shall be determined by the underlying zoning.”
“Today, my colleagues and I achieved a monumental victory for mobility and sustainability with the passage of legislation abolishing parking minimums near the Atlanta BeltLine,” Councilmember Jason Dozier said in a statement. “This decisive move marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant, accessible communities in our beloved city.”
Dozier said by eliminating parking minimums, the city embraces a more progressive approach to urban planning by “prioritizing people in our effort to meet the needs and aspirations of our residents and businesses.”
“This decision aligns with our vision of creating a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly Atlanta,” Dozier said.
The legislation joins two previously adopted zoning ordinances that prohibit new drive-throughs, drive-in facilities, and the addition of new service stations within the BeltLine Overlay District.
“All three zoning ordinances collectively aim to use development guidelines to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the city,” Dozier added.
Other items approved include:
• A resolution to enter into an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Atlanta and the Housing Authority to perform environmental reviews for projects and activities that receive federal financial assistance as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• An ordinance to modify the City’s Code of Ordinances by introducing supplementary procedures for managing the petition and referendum process, ensuring alignment with the provisions outlined in the Home Rule Act.
• A resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to review and amend its statutes to expressly limit lyrics from all genres of music to use as evidence in criminal trials.
• A resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to ban solitary confinement or prohibit confining inmates for more than five days.
• A resolution to enter a memorandum between the City of Atlanta and Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, Inc. for the performance of an environmental review for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding for the proposed Forrest Hills Drive warehouse plan and reimbursement for all costs associated with the environmental review.
• An ordinance authorizing a $7,000 donation to Our House to help provide transformative care to families experiencing homelessness.
• Proclamations and recognitions were presented in honor of Arbor Day, Aniah Buchanan for Celebs Give Back, INC., and entertainment executive Dae’Shawn Shelton.
Items were introduced for consideration in committee, including:
• A resolution to extend a special procurement agreement – HOPE Atlanta Outreach Transportation and Referral Services, with Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta on behalf of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in an amount not to exceed $260,000.
• An ordinance to erect a historical marker at the intersection of Sunset Avenue, NW, and Magnolia Street, NW, to recognize the historic presence of the Magnolia Ballroom.
• A resolution to execute agreements under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program with Hispanic Alliance, Inner-City Muslim Action Network, and Migrant Equity Southeast to provide food, shelter, and supportive services to unhoused immigrants in the city for $710,000.
• An ordinance to rezone specific properties to align with the recommendations from the Thomasville Heights Neighborhood Plan.
• An ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances to limit exceptions from approved airport access privileges.
