Zoning Code Review Schedule (updated deadlines)

Davis Fox at Commissioner Gannon's office shared this information (Aug. 13 Planning and Economic Development meeting) outlining coming milestones for  DeKalb County's new zoning code. For some insight as to the changes that are being proposed, see our other posts on the zoning code update.

New Zoning Code Review Schedule (August 13, 2013)
· August 21st Board of Commissioners agenda item for the proposed zoning code will be deferred to November 

· August 29th - Complete legal review by Law Department and outside counsel Jarrard and Davis 

· September 10th – Planning Department presents revisions to Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Board of Commissioners 2PM Maloof Bldg 5th Floor 

· September 15th -  Pond and Company completes revisions and posts revised code on County website 

· September 16th – Public meeting specifically on cell towers (time and place TBD) 

· September 24th - Planning Department presents revisions to Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Board of Commissioners 2PM Maloof Bldg 5th Floor 

·  October 7th – Public meeting to discuss zoning code. Time and place TBD, but probably an evening meeting at Maloof auditorium. Same format as previous meeting with discussion tables. 

·  October 10th – Pond completes final revisions 

·  November 7th – Planning Commission Public Hearing (night meeting) 

·  November 19th – Board of Commissioners Public Hearing (night meeting) 

·  January 1, 2014 – Effective date for new zoning code 

·  August – December – Staff training on revised code, procedures and fees 

Davis Fox
Policy and Projects Manager for
DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon for District 6

DeKalb Zoning Code revamp: continued

The DeKalb Zoning Code update meeting of May 20, 2013 was well attended, and included representatives from many area neighborhoods. The meeting was led by Andrew Baker (interim director for planning and sustainability), Marian Eisenberg (zoning administrator) and Commissioners Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon.

via http://planningdekalb.net/wp-content/uploads/
2013/05/Zoning-Code-Update_briefing.pdf

The presenters emphasized that this is a "total re-write" to match the zoning code to comprehensive County planning documents; encourage higher density development in areas that are already zoned as commercial (this in response to public requests that residential areas be protected); redevelop underutilized space; and improve "predictability"--meaning, that people should have access to a County map that clearly highlights what uses are allowed in a given area so they can factor that information into personal and financial decisions.

Upon approval of the new zoning code [see previous MANA summary here], the Planning Director will become the "interpreter" of the code, and the new code will supersede any conflicting information on Chapter 14 of the DeKalb (Land Code Ordinance).

The May 20 presentation is available at: http://planningdekalb.net/wp-content/uploads/
2013/05/Zoning-Code-Update_briefing.pdf

The full draft of the zoning code (Table of Contents and Articles 1-9) is available at http://planningdekalb.net/?page_id=830

Additional notes from the meeting:

• the County will soon have GIS maps
• the biggest change in this code revamp is "what can be done administratively" regarding Article 5 (Site Design and Building Form Standards)
• an audience member asked about the need for an "early warning" system to let civic associations and residents know when an nearby area is being considered for redevelopment (vs. waiting for an official county sign of a public hearing that announces permits or re-zoning are being voted upon)
• there was a comment about who is considered an "aggrieved party" and the answer was that individuals can be aggrieved, neighborhood associations cannot.
• an audience member asked about administrative variances. Requests to change density will always fall under re-zoning.  The interaction between administrative decisions and the new criteria will likely lead to the development of new benchmarks for appeals.

Commissioner Gannon noted that the schedule for adoption suggests the code will be voted upon at the May 28 Board of Commissioners meeting. However, the Commissioners are strongly encouraging citizen involvement and comments on the plan, and Commissioner Gannon said they would probably defer the vote and allow a couple of months to finalize the existing zoning code draft. As of today, the appointment of Andrew Baker as director of planning and zoning remains on the May 28 meeting agenda, and so is a resolution to increase storm water utility fees,  but a vote on the zoning code is not in evidence.

To submit comments online, go to http://planningdekalb.net/?page_id=807

For suggestions & comments, contact Marian B. Eisenberg, Zoning Administrator, 404-371-4922.

DeKalb Zoning Code Update

DeKalb County is updating its zoning code. Commissioner Rader's office asks that we

Please review prior to the meeting with Commissioners Rader and Gannon on May 20th at 7:00pm in Conference Room A of the Clark Harrison Building (330 W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur 30030).  Parking is available on the street or in the county lot next to the Maloof Building after 5pm.

The New Zoning Code public draft can be found at: http://planningdekalb.net/?page_id=756, and some of the listed documents are highlighted below. If you can't attend the meeting, you may send your comments online.

Schedule of Adoption: This plan has been in development for a while and many meetings have taken place already. The Board of Commissioners will vote on May 28, and the plan becomes effective on August 2013.

from http://planningdekalb.net/wp-content/
uploads/2013/04/TechnicalZoningMemo.pdf

The Proposed Districts and Conversions document "summarizes the proposed structure of the new zoning code. It also includes data regarding existing zoning districts providing the justification of the new structure. The updated DeKalb Zoning Ordinance will implement the policies of the DeKalb County 2025 Comprehensive Plan with fewer zoning  districts, balanced with greater design standards. ... The three primary residential districts (R-75, R-85, and R-100) will remain the same."

Meeting and Briefings includes a summary of the process leading to the code update, and shows an emphasis on mixed use and intent to "create new design standards and criteria for development" in the way of "Block and lot standards, street and yard standards, lasndscaping, streetscapes, open space, site improvements, building form and configuration and building materials." Article 2 emphasizes incentives for high density developments.

More realistic poultry coming
to unincorporated DeKalb County?

Under Article 4, Table 4.1 summarizes allowable uses depending on lot designation. The document notes that the zoning update "Adds new uses such as senior housing, farmers markets, and urban gardens." Keeping of poultry/pigeons is now listed as "permitted" for R75, R85 and R100 lots (typical Medlock homes) but "keeping of livestock" remains off-limits [N.B. Will seek additional information about the meaning of the yellow highlight. ---> yellow highlights do not mean anything, focus on the abbreviation inside the cell. If the cell is empty, that particular use is not allowed]. DeKalb County defines livestock as "domestic animals and fowl customarily kept on a farm including horses, mules, donkeys, cows, cattle, sheep, goats, ducks, geese and turkeys."

Cropped section of table 4.1, from http://planningdekalb.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Zoning-Code-Update_briefing.pdf [May 7]. 

from http://planningdekalb.net/wp-conten
t/uploads/2013/05/Zoning-Code-Update_briefing.pdf
Click to enlarge.

Article 5 focuses on standards for lot size, street design, sidewalks, streescapes, open space, and building materials. It also calls for "new developments like cottage homes and townhouse products." Both the townhouse and cottage concepts feature shared open areas accessible to all neighbors.

Those are just a couple highlights. For additional information of what is cover under each article, please review the above documents at http://planningdekalb.net/?page_id=756.