Developers asked the Tucker City Council at its June 23 meeting for input about the future of Northlake Mall, floating the possibility of constructing almost 500 apartments in the former JCPenney site.
It would be part of a bigger initiative that Trammell Crow and mall owner ATR Corinth Partners envision for the mostly empty property that could include a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which is a multi-year process involving the Atlanta Regional Commission and other agencies.
Attorney Dennis Webb, presenting an economic development report on behalf of the companies, suggested a parallel path that would allow the construction of multi-family units while a master plan or PUD is developed.
“To go through the master planning process would take a significant amount of time, but we are hopeful in the near future we could find a way to move forward with both the master plan and the residential piece,” Webb said. “I think they are on different tracks, but with that type of development would be a catalyst for a lot of good things on this site.”
However, Tucker Mayor Frank Auman cautioned Webb not to discuss specific projects, rather focusing the presentation on high-level discussions regarding the future of the mall, which Webb noted.
Council members asked several questions about improvements that may be made to the property, including installing public green space areas and multi-use trails.
Northlake Mall, located on 80 acres, when built in 1971, was one million square feet, making it at the time the largest mall in the area. Over time, anchor tenants have left, and the parts of the complex were redeveloped to house several Emory University’s administrative offices, including Emory HealthConnection, the Emory Healthcare Network and its of Office of Risk & Insurance Services.
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Webb said the process of redeveloping the site is “in the very beginning stages,” and said the mall owners “want to know what you want to see here.”
Several council members commented that the preliminary plans seems to lack vision about multiple uses within the area, including “live” components like coffee shops, dry cleaners, day cares and other amenities.
Webb said long-term plans would include so-called pods that would include those amenities developed in a future master plan or PUD. The key, he said, is quickly building multi-family units to bring the area to life.
Auman cautioned that he feared that if a master plan is not in place, the area will be deluged with residential development that would lack the other components that would make the area attractive.
In other action, the council heard a report from the Urban Land Institute regarding a study on how the city can assist in developing viable housing options within the city.
“The City of Tucker turned to the Urban Land Institute Atlanta District Council (ULI) for assistance with this housing challenge, specifically asking ULI to identify the type of housing and densities needed in Tucker as well as what regulations may be presently curbing those types of developments in Tucker,” according to the study’s summary. “ULI convened a technical assistance panel of real estate professionals to study the issue and deliver a set of recommendations the City can consider as it works to increase housing opportunities in Tucker.”
The panel recommends that the city increase its zoned densities as follows – allowing low-density developments that contain 10-20 units per acres, medium density at 40-50 units per acre and high density at 80-85 units per acre.
The study recommended high-density development in Northlake Mall, with medium density downtown, and low density also in parts of downtown and along the Lawrenceville Highway corridor.
In other action, the council:
- heard about establishing a front yard tree program for Tucker residents through Trees Atlanta;
- approved on consent agenda stormwater repairs at 1885 Mountain Creek Dr., 3440 Montreal Way, and 2433 Henderson Pines Court;
- heard from Tucker Finance Director Beverly Hilton the general fund has used 72 percent of its expenditure budget, with 92 percent of the financial year complete;
- discussed an ordinance to establish the City Marshal’s Office, which will allow for “increased efficiency in judicial and enforcement functions, while ensuring public safety services are responsive to the city’s needs.”
- After executive session, the council authorized spending $65,000 to buy a property at 2010 Fellowship Rd. and approved a 6.5 percent raise for the city clerk and city manager.