Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Green Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nonprofit and manufacturers pitch green modular housing and apprenticeships to South Fulton council
Summary
Green Shades Foundation, Evolve Green Technology and partners presented modular, net‑zero building materials and an apprenticeship plan to train local workers and produce affordable housing; council referred zoning and code questions to staff.
Several nonprofit and private groups told the City Council on Feb. 25 they are developing modular, low‑carbon building materials and a local workforce pipeline and asked the city to consider zoning and procurement changes to support green manufacturing and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development.
Dr. Deborah Clark, founder of Green Shades Foundation, introduced the group and said the organization already runs a weekly outreach program serving more than 700 unsheltered people. She described partners working on a 15,000‑square‑foot modular housing production operation and an apprenticeship program tied to nationally recognized certifications.
Tyrone Williams of Evolve Green Technology described insulated structural panels and modular building systems that the presenters say are water‑, fire‑ and termite‑resistant and suitable for rapid factory construction. Warren Crawley (ADU Depot) showed a 200‑square‑foot ADU model built from recycled materials and said a comparable unit cost him about $10,000 to build in a demonstration—he and others emphasized that units can be scaled upward for workforce and affordable housing supply.
Representatives from United Youth of America described a training and apprenticeship model that uses virtual reality and earn‑as‑you‑learn on‑the‑job components to prepare local labor for construction jobs and project management roles. Presenters said they plan local factories in Georgia and that some pilot projects are under way in Albany and DeKalb County.
Council members asked staff whether the products and building methods are currently legal under South Fulton code; the citybuilding official said changes to the zoning and building code would be required before permitting certain modular or container‑based housing. Councilmembers encouraged the group to present specific zoning language and funding strategies; Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett said the group should return with concrete funding proposals so the city and partners can assess options including grants and incentives.
Ending: City staff will review code and permitting implications and follow up with the presenters and with council members on potential amendments and pilot opportunities.
