The Morrow Mayor and Council and the Planning and Zoning Board have determined a need to review and evaluate the City’s Mixed-Use zoning code to ensure the regulations continue to contribute towards balanced growth in adherence to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. As a result, the City has proposed imposing a 120-day moratorium on issuing any construction or development permits for properties currently zoned as Mixed-Use.
The first reading of the 120-day Moratorium Ordinance was held during the January 25, 2022 City Council meeting. The Ordinance is expected to return to the Council for approval in February.
A moratorium, a word that can bring angst to landowners and developers, is used by municipalities to temporarily prevent anyone from developing or building until new regulations concerning the activity are developed and adopted. According to City documents, Morrow has determined that the need to review current development standards relating to Mixed-Use Developments is necessary so that future mixed-use proposals may be developed in a manner consistent with the current Comprehensive Plan.
The City Code describes the scope of the mixed-use zoning district to include standards and requirements for sidewalks, pedestrian and site lighting, street trees, landscaping, site development, building design, building materials, location and orientation of buildings, and accessory structures.
According to the City’s zoning map, most properties with the mixed-use zoning designation are located near Morrow and Jonesboro Roads, but there are also pockets of mixed-use properties near J.L Christian Park along Morrow Road.
The proposed moratorium does not affect approvals or permits previously issued or development plans previously approved by the City. Additionally, the Ordinance will not affect the issuance of permits or site plan reviews that have received preliminary or final approval by the City on or before the effective date of this Ordinance.
