8/25/05 ~ NPU-M supports stronger definition of 'supportive housing'

Members of Neighborhood Planning Unit M may soon have more say as to the use of the “supportive housing” classification for buildings in their neighborhoods, as a result of Monday’s monthly meeting.

NPU-M approved an ordinance from Atlanta City Council member Ivory Lee Young Jr. that would essentially have operators of such buildings face their respective neighborhood associations and NPUs. In the past, Young said, parties wishing to construct supportive housing did not have to come before community organizations to get support for the building. The process only went through the city.

There were many possible loopholes the operators of such buildings could use to their advantage in the past, Young said. Young cited several abuses of this classification.

The ordinance gives a stronger definition of the term “supportive housing” and distinguishes it from community centers, hospitals, rooming houses, boarding houses, hotels, dormitories and fraternity/sorority housing. Also, there will be several fixed conditions each supportive housing unit must follow.

The ordinance now also calls for a recommendation from the NPU in which the supportive housing unit is located. Now, Young said, the surrounding communities will be able to work with the operators of such buildings and impose any conditions it sees fit.

“I would assume that most of you would want a say in how these buildings are being used in your community,” Young said.

Also, the recommendation the NPU gives through a vote or otherwise will be strongly considered at higher levels within the city. Young reminded the audience that the NPU recommendation should not be taken lightly by NPU members, the city or his colleagues.

“You might not think your recommendation is much,” Young said, “but believe me, whatever you suggest to us, we will take it one step further.”

The ordinance has been and will likely continue to be an item on every NPU agenda until each NPU has made a decision.

Also, NPU-M approved a measure that would transform Castleberry Hill into a landmark district.

Despite being one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, Castleberry Hill has not yet had the distinction of being considered a historical landmark. The measure will call for the area’s look and feel to be preserved as much as possible. As a result, buildings in the neighborhood will follow a more stringent set of guidelines in terms of zoning matters.

Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association President Tami Donnelly was happy to see her fellow NPU-M members support her neighborhood’s request to become a landmark district.

“Thank you very much for supporting us,” she told the group.

The nomination will next go before the city before it can be determined if the landmark status will become a reality.

In other news, NPU-M approved a set of requests regarding the Northside Drive Corridor Study. NPU-M approved the adoption of the plan, the changes in land use and zoning regulations in the area and the adoption of the projects into its CDP.

Though the study touches only a small portion of NPU-M, there were several plan recommendations that could bring changes to the area. These included raising the usage of the Vine City MARTA rail station, having a consistent six-lane zone on Northside Drive, providing MARTA bus service on Northside Drive and rezoning areas adjacent to the thoroughfare.

The areas in particular that could be rezoned are Ivan Allen Boulevard, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, the Gulch and Castleberry Hill, which, as NPU-M heard earlier, could be converted to a historical landmark district. It is not estimated that the Georgia Dome or the Georgia World Congress Center will undergo changes as a result of this project.

One member of the audience claimed the project, if carried out, would disrupt her neighborhood and cause irreparable damage. She also said Bill Dunkley, a city planner and the study’s project manager, requested a vote for this matter during July’s meeting and then changed aspects of the plan.

NPU-M Chair Derek Matory confirmed there was no vote during the July meeting and that Dunkley merely provided information and updates during previous meetings.

Also, Dunkley said the only significant changes to the plan was that the map handouts were in black and white during Monday’s meeting, as opposed to the color handouts that were given in July. There was also handout of updates to the project.

Minus two members, the body approved all three items. The plans will now become part of NPU-M’s listing of projects to be completed, which will be submitted to the City of Atlanta.