Renovations Planned for Existing Vine City Apartment Prompted a Rezoning Request

On February 10, 2022, the Atlanta Zoning Review Board reviewed plans submitted by Jonathan Mayweather, which included the request to revise the zoning and land use designation on a property currently containing an existing apartment to comply with zoning requirements. The current zoning of SPI-19-SA6 does not allow for multi-family. The Zoning Review Board voted to deny the request in support of the denial as recommended by Staff.

Neighborhood Planning Unit L reviewed the request to rezone the property located at 238 Andrew J Hairston Boulevard to SPI-19-SA5 on January 11, 2022, and recommended approval. In addition to the zoning designation change, the applicant also requested a land-use change from Single Family Residential to Low-Density Residential.

As reported by What Now Atlanta last month, according to documents submitted by the applicant, plans to renovate the existing non-conforming four-unit apartment include new doors, windows, siding, roofing, along with new trim and paint. In addition, interior renovations include new flooring, drywall, fixtures, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.

The applicant also prepared the documented impact analysis that argued that the rezoning is justified because when Vine City was recently rezoned to expand the mix of housing options in the area, the project site was the only sub-area that did not allow for multi-family housing units. In addition, because the Plan is to renovate the existing building and open the building after the renovations are complete, the use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which advocates for a mix of housing options in the neighborhood. The documentation further argues that the project does not propose an increase in the building footprint or density and that the use continues to be suitable due to the number of similar apartments in the general area.

City Planners expressed concern that the proposed rezoning and land-use change would have an adverse effect on the balance of land uses. In March 2020, the property was rezoned to SPI-19 SA 6 (Vine City Special Public Interest District Subarea 6) based on recommendations from the Westside Land Use Framework Plan District Subarea 6) based on recommendations from the Westside Land Use Framework Plan. The adoption of this Plan and the subsequent proactive rezoning of the Vine City neighborhood was done with significant public engagement and input. Thus, to change the land use and zoning would be contrary to the expressed desires of the neighborhood to provide single-family residences.